dvcrn When to Use
User wants to shop on Taobao (淘宝). Agent helps with seller verification, price negotiation, search optimization, and navigating China's largest consumer-to-consumer marketplace.
Quick Reference
| Topic | File |
|---|---|
| Seller ratings | sellers.md |
| Price negotiation | negotiation.md |
| Search tactics | search.md |
Core Rules
1. Taobao vs Tmall: Know the Difference
| Feature | Taobao (淘宝) | Tmall (天猫) |
|---|---|---|
| Sellers | Individual/C2C | Businesses/B2C |
| Authenticity | Varies | More reliable |
| Price | Lower, negotiable | Fixed, higher |
| Service | Varies by seller | Standardized |
| Best For | Variety, bargains | Brand certainty |
Decision Framework:
- Electronics/Luxury → Tmall (authenticity)
- Fashion/Novelty → Taobao (variety + price)
- Bulk buying → Taobao (negotiation)
- First-time buyer → Tmall (simpler)
2. Seller Rating System
Understanding the Crowns:
| Level | Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Hearts | ❤️ | New seller (<1 year) |
| Diamonds | 💎 | Established (1-3 years) |
| Blue Crowns | 👑 | Experienced (3-5 years) |
| Gold Crowns | 👑👑 | Top tier (5+ years) |
Key Metrics:
| Metric | Good | Caution |
|---|---|---|
| 好评率 | >98% | <95% |
| 描述相符 | >4.7 | <4.5 |
| 服务态度 | >4.7 | <4.5 |
| 物流服务 | >4.7 | <4.5 |
Store Age Check:
- Click store name → "店铺印象"
- Look for开店时间 (opening date)
- Older stores generally more reliable
3. Search Optimization
Effective Search Strategies:
| Goal | Search Technique |
|---|---|
| Exact item | Model number + brand |
| Best price | Sort by price + check sales |
| Quality | Add "正品" or "专柜" |
| Trending | Sort by "销量" (sales) |
Search Operators:
"exact phrase" → Exact match
word1 word2 → Both words
word1 -word2 → Exclude word2
price:100-200 → Price range
Filter Combinations:
- 天猫 (Tmall only) - Filter for reliability
- 包邮 (Free shipping) - Cost savings
- 货到付款 (COD) - Payment security
- 7天无理由 (7-day return) - Protection
4. Price Intelligence
Understanding Taobao Pricing:
| Price Type | Reality |
|---|---|
| 原价 | Often inflated 30-50% |
| 促销价 | Closer to real price |
| 券后价 | After coupon discount |
| 到手价 | Final after all discounts |
Negotiation via Wangwang (旺旺):
Opening Lines:
- "亲，能便宜点吗?" (Can you discount?)
- "买两件有优惠吗?" (Discount for two?)
- "包邮可以吗?" (Free shipping?)
Tactics:
- Bulk discount - "买X件能便宜吗?"
- Price match - "别家卖XX元"
- Shipping waiver - "能包邮吗?"
- Gift request - "有小礼物吗?"
Best Times to Negotiate:
- End of month (sales quotas)
- Morning (sellers more responsive)
- Before major sales (clear inventory)
5. Product Verification
Spotting Fakes:
| Authentic | Suspicious |
|---|---|
| Detailed photos (5+) | Stock images only |
| Specific model numbers | Vague descriptions |
| "专柜正品" label | "高仿" in description |
| Brand certificates | No proof |
For Branded Items:
- Check for authorization documents
- Look for "假一赔十" promise
- Verify with brand's official store on Tmall
- Read 1-star reviews for authenticity complaints
6. Review Analysis
Reading Reviews Effectively:
| Review Type | Weight |
|---|---|
| 有图评价 (With photos) | High - See real product |
| 追评 (Follow-up) | High - Long-term use |
| 默认好评 (Default) | Low - Often not genuine |
| 差评 (Negative) | High - Check patterns |
Red Flags in Reviews:
- Identical text across multiple reviews
- No photo reviews for visual products
- Sudden influx of 5-star reviews
- Mentions of "与描述不符" (not as described)
7. Payment & Protection
Alipay Escrow (担保交易):
- You pay → Alipay holds money
- Seller ships → You receive
- You confirm → Money released
- Never confirm before receiving!
Dispute Timeline:
- Open dispute within 15 days of receipt
- Provide evidence: photos, chat logs
- Taobao mediates if unresolved
Refund Types:
- 仅退款 - Item not received
- 退货退款 - Return + refund
- 换货 - Exchange item
Wangwang Chat Tips:
- Save all conversations
- Confirm details in writing
- Ask about stock availability
- Request real photos if uncertain
Common Traps
- Trusting stock photos → Always check buyer photos
- Ignoring seller ratings → New sellers = higher risk
- Not negotiating → Prices often flexible
- Buying without checking reviews → Quality varies
- Confirming receipt early → Lose protection
- Off-platform payments → Never pay outside Taobao
- Ignoring return policies → Check before buying
Taobao-Specific Features
Useful Tools
- 淘宝直播 - Live shopping, extra discounts
- 闲鱼 - Secondhand marketplace
- 淘金币 - Loyalty points
- 聚划算 - Group buying deals
- 有好货 - Curated recommendations
Mobile vs Desktop
- Mobile often has app-exclusive coupons
- Desktop better for detailed comparison
- Mobile "拍立淘" - Photo search
- Desktop extensions for price history
Related Skills
Install with clawhub install <slug> if user confirms:
alibaba-shopping- Taobao/Tmall combined guidetmall- Tmall-specific guidancejd-shopping- JD.com shoppingpdd- Pinduoduo deals
Feedback
- If useful:
clawhub star taobao - Stay updated:
clawhub sync