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Why I Now Hate B&Q and Toto

atomic (156 posts) • 0

bucko,

I applaud your tenacity and can only wish I had your knowledge and skills in this department.

How do you tackle the low water pressure issue here? I thought there was no way around this.

Chingis (242 posts) • 0

If your water pressure is low, rather than non- existent, then you can by an in- line pump and have it installed inside your apartment, normally after the water meter. I bought one of these off Taobao for around 300rmb, and had a guy install it in about 1/2 an hour. It runs off mains power and kicks in when you turn a tap on, provided there is at least a minimal amount of water flow into your apartment. The pump, which is about the size of a dead hedgehog, is basically silent and once installed requires no maintenance.
I live on the 7th floor and it works a treat for me. I could dig up the Taobao link if you are interested.

atomic (156 posts) • 0

Chingis,

Please do put up the link for the in-line pump when you get the time.

The main area of concern here is the toilet, which will not flush solids without tipping a bucket of water down the bowl and/or the use of a hand plunger.

bucko (695 posts) • 0

As Chingis said, inline pump install.
However I use a Wilo pump which is imported from Germany. 1600 RMB, but much better quality than the cheapo Chinese versions.

Anonymous Coward (329 posts) • 0

I totally agree with the quality of labour in Yunnan. It must be the nice weather that makes people lazy. The workers in Dali show up late, not at all when it rains, and generally do a half assed job. My experience with workers in Shandong has been much better.

I also agree that taobao is the correct way to get good materials. I have ordered some pretty big and heavy items from taobao, and they usually arrive in good working (and unbeaten) condition. You really have to use common sense and read reviews when selecting a seller though. Most of my problems stem from lazy sellers who can't be bothered to pack their items properly. Two of the items I ordered were a Wilo pump and a Toto toilet, and I'm glad to see that other forum members agree with my choices. Go German or Japanese whenever you can.

Next year I am planning on moving from Shandong back to Yunnan, and unfortunately I want to move my appliances and furniture with me. Is there a way to do this without my stuff being destroyed? Maybe one of you knows of a good moving company?

Chingis (242 posts) • 0

The below link is an example of the type of pump i have. The reason I have linked this one is that it includes photographs to give you an idea of what it looks like, but there are literally hundreds of different vendors.

item.taobao.com/[...]

And here is a Wilo one for Buckos benefit...probably made in the same factory.

item.taobao.com/[...]

In regards to your toilet flushing issue however, in my experience unless you are saying the water pressure is so low it cant even fill the cistern, then the problem is most likely related to the design of the toilet bowl, and not water pressure. I had the same problem in that nothing would flush down, even though the cistern would fill. I recently changed the toilet bowl for a made for export model (appx 600RMB), and now I have no problems at all. If that doesnt work, maybe tweak your diet...
And to Mr A Coward, I have moved several times within China (Urumqi- Kunming- Urumqi- Shanghai- Guangzhou- Urumqi) over the last 3 years moving my household possessions each time. By far the best (though not the cheapest) I have found to be China Railway Express. They will come to your house with bags and boxes, pack your things, and even build wooden crates for fragile possessions, ship by rail rather than road, and deliver and unpack in your house at the other end. I have found their service to be professional and courteous, and in all my moves I have not had a single thing break or go missing.
They also have a very large network, so unless you are living in a very small village in Shandong I'm sure they will have a depot near you.

Anonymous Coward (329 posts) • 0

Thanks for the tip. I have created another thread for this topic:

www.gokunming.com/[...]

I called the CRE hotline, and they didn't seem very cooperative. I was told they would not pack my appliances unless I had the original boxes. I think that's kind of unreasonable. Maybe the local depot will have a better answer.

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