Depending on what I am looking at, I actually prefer Lighthound and ShiningBeam sometimes, just because I know it will be here (at least in the USA) in 3 or 4 days, but knowing I am paying more...
I think that, like many others, i like manafont for the quality of the item and dealextreme for variety and price. Sometimes, if you have time and patience, ebay is a good place to find "last minute" bargain.
Lighthound is good, except for overseas shipping charges. For a padded envelope with some lanyards, a couple of internal taillight switches and a small tube of Nygel, they asked far more than what I paid for shipping for a whole car carburetor or distributor from the US, which both weigh considerably more and are considerably bigger.
I prefer solarforce sales (former ITC) and manafont. But generally, I buy from the stores that actually carry what I need, for a price I am willing to pay (even if itis somewhat higher, like at Lighthound's)
DX for the variety but I will pay a bit more for the same item from manafont. US sellers Shiningbeam and Battery Junction are great and super fast. I have orders out with ITC(off eBay) and Gadgettown. We’ll see how that goes when, hopefully, I post a positive review on the What you got today thread.
I will almost always order from whoever has the lowest price. That said, I like Manafont and TinyDeal the best because I have more confidence that I will get what I ordered. But I've been trying new (for me) vendors like BestOfferBuy, ChinaQualityGoods and EverBuying when they offer something I can't find elsewhere.
I like Manafont for the quickest delivery and DX/KD for the selection. I've placed one order from Shenzhen-wholesale and their shipping charges aren't "cheap" - ended up being around$16 for 2 flashlights if I remember correctly. They weren't as fast as Manafont, but way quicker than DX & KD. If Manafont had a selection as big as DX/KD, I'd buy exclusively from them. Oh yeah, Jim actually responds to your emails w/in 24 hrs. The "big" ones, forget about it.
Kaidomain is who I like the most . At first I was afraid to order anything but since November made 13 orders which all but one were shipped in time , 8 days later left HK.
I like what annoying most people, the lack of detailed info , this remind me the professional's electronic stores where the customers know what they need and ask without ceremony...sometimes saying something like, the four legs one...
Also is good the lack of misleading ads , there are none for the matter, just the pics.
To these day they never disappointed me at all...
Others vendors could ship fast also but his selection in DY stuff is poor or his things are way overpriced...
Same here, one stuff from MF and some things at the others, surprisingly now DX ship fast also , I have two HKP and two CP which left China on 8th 9th ordered 3/31 and 4/1 all
You are right but I learned long ago that lumens claim are like fantasy name, being the Chinese or otherwise except the 'serious' makers which are very few...
Manafont because of the reasons mentioned in prev posts, plus they are willing to find out if a item is really available and then inform you by e-mail - I made a online query regarding availability of a item ( I hate being told a item is OOS/not available after I order it).
Contrary to many others here, I am quite happy with focalprice. They have reshipped items that I did not receive, customer service via tickets is good - they got me items that were initially OOS "no longer available". Prices tend to be lower than other sites.
DX OK for reasons mentioned in prev posts.
Will really like any HK store that offers paracord, cord ends, cord locks and spring/snap clips. ;-)
Troop, I would say that is not a solarforce. The tailcap is a lot different, look at the pic they provide and then look at the photos in Flashlightfoys review of the L2. The button sticks out on the real deal.
I've had good luck with most. I do like Manafont for all the reasons already stated. I tried priceangels recently, ordering a $6 drop-in on 4/3 and it showed up today...excellent service there. I've also had fast service from solarforce-sales. I've used shiningbeam twice and it took all of 3 days to deliver...great products too. I'd say dx and focalprice were the slowest.