Browse Forums Kitchen Corner 1 May 06, 2011 11:08 pm We are at the stage of buying taps, toilets, twin shower rails, and other PC items. I looked on Ebay and there are quite a few listings from Hong Kong and China. Has anyone bought from any of these shops for taps etc? They seem a lot cheaper but I can't tell the quality by just looking at the pictures. Can anyone recommend one of the 'shops' that they have bought from? None of them seem to list brands. Re: Anyone bought taps and PC items off the internet? 2May 07, 2011 10:01 am We bought a very nice looking watermark approved kitchen mixer tap off an Australian ebay for ~$200.00, similar designs at our local plumbing shop trade prices were ~$600.00. We're very happy with it and it looks fantastic but occasionally it drips. A quick on/off and it's usually ok again and if it doesn't last as long as it should it's easily replaced. If you're looking at shower mixers, etc. you'll need to consider to repair/spare parts issue as removing tiles to repair/replace faulty tapware is expensive and a pain. Re: Anyone bought taps and PC items off the internet? 3May 07, 2011 11:00 am Also don't forget to factor in some plumbers will not install any items without the watermark approval stamp. Only a couple of weeks ago there was a poster who bought from Grays and his plumber wouldn't install the items. Some things are worth waiting for. Re: Anyone bought taps and PC items off the internet? 4May 07, 2011 2:18 pm I bought some Grohe and Hansa taps and shower mixers from germany on Ebay because the models i want are not available in australia. They are cheaper than in australia for similar models even with postage added on. But be aware that some plumbers won't install taps not wels approved and some overseas taps have slightly different size fittings: my Hansa taps have smaller fittings than australian ones and I needed to buy some adaptors to make them fit. Re: Anyone bought taps and PC items off the internet? 5May 10, 2011 2:28 pm don't forget websites like GreysOnline - we got our kitchen & laundry taps from there for way less than retail! Also, got one of our mixers from ebay - we knew the brand & style name we wanted and just created a search to alert us when one became available. Re: Anyone bought taps and PC items off the internet? 6May 10, 2011 6:12 pm I would be carefull that the tapware met australian standards, for insurance purposes. Insurance companies are quite within their rights to turn down a claim if the standards arent met. A lot of the big hardware shops have very competitive prices. Re: Anyone bought taps and PC items off the internet? 7May 10, 2011 6:39 pm yep, I bought my pin mixer for our main bathroom from ebay, it came from somewhere in Australia but I think it was made overseas... in any case as others have said as long as you make sure it has the Australian standards watermark on it, your plumber should be ok with installing it. "Your emotions are the slaves to your thoughts, and you are the slave to your emotions." — Elizabeth Gilbert Living in our new house. Currently scaping the land. Bathroom renovation will likely include a back-to-corner bath and we’re considering a freestanding tap with hand-held shower such as the picture included. My hesitation… 0 22696 The best advice is for you to get a competent building consultant to guide you through your build 7 3782 Thanks for much mate. I see that you do cabinets before flooring. For timber flooring, for most parts it's fine because it's got base plates, and for door jabs you can… 7 2220 |