The most common reason for a price increase after adding an item from a discovery spreadsheet to your agent's cart is the addition of a domestic shipping fee. This is the cost to ship the product from the seller's location to your agent's warehouse within China. The price listed on the spreadsheet or the original seller's page often only reflects the item's cost, not this mandatory shipping charge, which is typically added by the agent.
Table of Contents
- What is the Role of a Discovery Spreadsheet?
- Why Don't Spreadsheet Prices Always Match the Final Agent Price?
- How Can You Verify the Price Before Committing?
- What Other Factors Might Affect the Price You See?
- How CNFans Spreadsheet Strives for Accuracy
What is the Role of a Discovery Spreadsheet?
A tool like the CNFans Spreadsheet serves a specific and valuable purpose: discovery. Think of it as your expert curator for a massive, ever-changing marketplace. Its primary function is to sift through countless products to find and present interesting items, saving you the immense time and effort of searching yourself. It's a powerful starting point, providing a direct link to a product you might not have found otherwise.
It is important to understand that such a spreadsheet is a discovery platform, not a live-pricing e-commerce store. The prices listed are captured at a specific moment. Given the dynamic nature of online retail, these prices can and do change without notice. The true value of the spreadsheet lies in its ability to streamline your search for high-quality and unique finds, acting as a bridge to the purchasing agent's platform where the final, live transaction takes place.
Why Don't Spreadsheet Prices Always Match the Final Agent Price?
You've found the perfect item on the spreadsheet, you click the link, and on the agent's website, the price is higher. This is a common experience, and it's almost always due to predictable factors in the purchasing process. Understanding these reasons will help you budget accurately and navigate your purchases with confidence. Let's break down the primary causes for these price differences.
Reason 1: The Domestic Shipping Fee (运费)
This is, by far, the most frequent reason for a price increase. The domestic shipping fee, or yùnfèi (运费) in Chinese, is the charge for shipping an item from the original seller's warehouse to your agent's warehouse (e.g., the Pandabuy or Hagobuy facility). Most Chinese e-commerce platforms, like Weidian and Taobao, list the item price separately from this shipping cost.
The spreadsheet displays the item price provided by the seller. When you add that item to your agent's cart, the agent's system automatically calculates and adds the seller's domestic shipping fee. This fee is not set by the spreadsheet or the agent; it is determined entirely by the seller and is a mandatory part of the cost. It typically ranges from 5 to 12 CNY but can be more for heavier or larger items.
| Component | Description | Example Cost (CNY) |
|---|---|---|
| Item Price (As seen on spreadsheet) | The base cost of the product itself. | 300 |
| Domestic Shipping Fee (Added by agent) | Cost from seller to agent's warehouse. | + 10 |
| Total Price in Agent Cart | The final price you pay for the item to arrive at the warehouse. | 310 |
Reason 2: Price Updates by the Seller
The marketplaces where these items are sold are not static. Sellers can and do update their prices for a variety of reasons. A popular item might see a price increase due to high demand, or the cost of raw materials might have gone up, forcing the seller to adjust. Conversely, a seller might lower a price to clear out old stock.
When the CNFans Spreadsheet is updated, it reflects the price at that time. If a seller changes the price a day, a week, or a month later, the spreadsheet will not reflect that change until its next update cycle for that specific item. It's similar to seeing a product advertised in a printed catalog; the price is only guaranteed for a certain period, and the online price is always the most current one.
Reason 3: Different Product Variations or Batches
A single product link can often lead to a page with multiple purchasing options. These can include different sizes, colors, or, most importantly, different quality tiers or "batches." For example, a sneaker seller might offer a "Standard Version" for 250 CNY and a premium "PK Batch" made with better materials for 400 CNY.
The spreadsheet may list the price for the most basic or most common version. When you visit the agent's page, you might inadvertently select a more expensive option, or the link may default to a premium batch. It's crucial to carefully review all selectable options on the product page to ensure you are purchasing the specific version you want at the price you expect.
Reason 4: Placeholder or Incorrect Initial Pricing
On platforms like Weidian, it is common practice for sellers to use a "placeholder" price. They might list an item for a very low and unrealistic price, such as 10 CNY, simply to get it listed. The actual prices for different sizes and styles are then detailed in the product's image gallery or description.
When you use the link on an agent's site, the system may initially show this placeholder price. However, the agent's software or the human purchasing agent will quickly identify the true price from the description. They will then adjust the price in your cart to the correct amount and often pause the order to await your confirmation. This appears as a price increase, but it is actually a correction to the real cost of the item.
How Can You Verify the Price Before Committing?
Being proactive is the best way to avoid surprises. Before you finalize your purchase, take a few moments to verify the details on the agent's website. These simple checks can provide clarity and prevent unexpected costs.
Checking for Domestic Shipping on the Agent's Page
Most agent websites are transparent about these costs. On the product page, before you even add the item to your cart, look for a line item labeled "Domestic Shipping," "Shipping," or "Freight." It is usually displayed right below or next to the item price. This will show you the exact amount the seller is charging to send the item to the warehouse, allowing you to see the complete initial cost upfront.
Looking for Different Versions and Their Prices
Take a moment to interact with the product options. Click on the different colors, sizes, and any listed batches or versions. Watch the price as you make these selections. Often, the price will change depending on the option you choose. This ensures that you understand the cost associated with the specific variation you are interested in and that you haven't accidentally selected a more expensive, premium version.
Using an Agent's Price Inquiry Service
If you encounter a product with a confusing pricing structure, especially one with a suspected placeholder price, many agents offer a price inquiry or manual order service. You can submit the product link to your agent and ask them to verify the exact price with the seller before you commit to buying. This is a useful tool for complex listings and provides an extra layer of certainty.
What Other Factors Might Affect the Price You See?
While domestic shipping and seller updates are the main drivers of price changes, a couple of other factors can occasionally play a minor role. These are less common but still worth knowing about.
Have Sales or Promotions Expired?
Sellers frequently run limited-time sales or promotions. A price listed on the spreadsheet might have been from one of these promotional periods. If the sale has ended by the time you click the link, the price on the agent's site will have reverted to its original, non-sale amount. This is a natural part of online retail and is outside the control of any discovery tool.
Are You Comparing Prices in Different Currencies?
Minor discrepancies can sometimes arise from currency conversion fluctuations. The agent's website converts the price from Chinese Yuan (CNY) to your local currency (USD, EUR, etc.) using a live or daily exchange rate. This rate can change slightly. While this factor is real, it typically accounts for very small variations in price and is not the cause of the larger jumps associated with domestic shipping or different product tiers.
How CNFans Spreadsheet Strives for Accuracy
At CNFans Spreadsheet, our goal is to provide the best possible starting point for your shopping journey. We understand that price accuracy is important, and our team works diligently to keep the data as current as possible. However, the sheer volume of items and the fast-paced nature of the Chinese market mean that some price discrepancies are inevitable.
We encourage you to view the prices on the spreadsheet as highly reliable estimates. The core value we provide is expert curation and discovery, bringing you the best finds and saving you dozens of hours of searching. Always perform the final price verification on the agent's website before completing your purchase. This two-step process—discovery with us, verification with the agent—is the most effective way to shop smart and build your haul with confidence.