Taobao is fantastic. That’s a fact. Think about it: They have more registered users than the entire population of Russia, and that many people can’t be wrong. This online shopping behemoth will deliver anything to your door – even some things that you had given up on finding in Beijing.

There’s just one catch: Taobao is a Chinese-language website, which means most expats are scared of it. So much so that an entire industry of “Taobao agents” has sprung up to deal with the hassle on your behalf. But those folks will charge you a percentage – and anyway, what’s there to be scared of? You made it to Beijing, didn’t you?

Take a deep breath and set off on an adventure that will revolutionize the way you shop. (And remember that resolution you made to improve your Chinese? Taobao will help with that too.)

Class is now in session.

Mind you, we're not trying to provide an exhaustive guide to navigating Taobao. For that, you need to check out Taobaofieldguide.com, an invaluable resource that walks you through the entire process. What we’ve done is to supplement their guide with a few updated screenshots – and to offer some additional tips.

See it all here in our Taobao How-To.

To make your Taobao experience easier, we can also offer you a handy cut-and-paste version of the useful phrases you'll be using to communicate with sellers ...

Crib Sheet: Useful Phrases

你好,请问这款有现货么?
Hello, do you have this item?

有什么尺码/颜色呢?
What sizes/colors does it come in?

是什么料子的? 是否会缩水?
What material is it? Will it shrink?

如果尺寸不合适,可以调换么?
If this size doesn’t fit me, can I exchange it?

有色差么?
Is there a color discrepancy between the item and its photo?

我收到的产品会不会和照片一模一样?
Will the item(s) you ship be exactly the same as shown in the photo?

已经拍下了,请修改邮费价格。
I have already ordered the items. Please adjust the delivery fee.
(All products are listed with a basic delivery fee. If you purchase two or more items from a single seller, the multiple delivery fees can often be consolidated or readjusted, but you will usually need to ask the seller about it after you have completed the order confirmation.)

请问我多久可以收到产品呢?
How soon will the item(s) arrive?

有没有保修服务?
Do you have a warranty policy?

还有什么需要先确认么?
Is there anything else we need to confirm first?

你好,产品已经收到。尺码不合适, 可以换XXX号么?
Hello, I’ve received the item(s), but the fit isn’t right. Can I exchange it for a XXX size?