For years, I had admired the minimalist engineering and featherlight comfort of ic! BerlinSugargoo, a comprehensive purchasing and forwarding platform.
Sugargoo, as I learned, acts as a bridge for international shoppers. It provides you with a Chinese warehouse address, handles the purchase from domestic Chinese marketplaces (like Tmall, Taobao, or JD.com) on your behalf, and then forwards your consolidated parcels overseas. The entire process felt like uncovering a secret channel directly to Asian markets.
Charting the Course with a Product Finder
Anyone familiar with Chinese e-commerce knows the sheer volume of listings can be overwhelming. Sifting through Tmall for authentic items at the best prices is a skill in itself. To simplify this, I used a critical external tool: a community-sourced spreadsheet for discovering deals. You can access it via this non-affiliate link: https://finds.cheap/. This resource was invaluable. I simply searched for "ic! Berlin" within the sheet and was presented with multiple seller links on Tmall and Taobao, complete with user-reported prices and notes on authenticity. It cut my research time by more than half.
Armed with a specific Tmall product link from the spreadsheet, I was ready to begin the Sugargoo process. The platform's interface is available in English, which immediately lowers the barrier. I logged into my Sugargoo account and navigated to the "Purchase Service" section.
Placing the Order Through Sugargoo
I pasted the precise Tmall product URL into the designated box on Sugargoo’s order page. Here, you must specify critical details: the color (e.g., "Black Matt"), your prescription if applicable, and quantity. One of Sugargoo's standout features is the ability to leave detailed remarks for the purchasing agent. I explicitly noted, "Please ensure it is genuine ic! Berlin with original case and all accessories." This communication layer is crucial for securing the correct item.
After calculating the total cost (product price + domestic Chinese shipping to Sugargoo's warehouse), I topped up my Sugargoo account balance using PayPal and submitted the order. Within 24 hours, the agent had purchased the glasses. A few days later, the item appeared in my "Warehouse" tab on Sugargoo, complete with QC photos—high-resolution pictures of the actual product in their facility. I could scrutinize the frames, the logo, and the packaging, which provided immense peace of mind.
Consolidation and International Shipping
Seeing the glasses in the warehouse, I then proceeded to "Submit Parcel." Sugargoo offers a variety of international carriers (like DHL, FedEx, EMS, and economical lines such as SAL). For my lightweight but valuable item, I chose a tracked packet service. The platform allows for rehearsal packaging, where they pre-pack your item and give you an exact final weight and volumetric quote—no nasty surprises. After paying the international shipping fee, my parcel was on its way.
The entire journey, from clicking "purchase" on Sugargoo to holding the sleek ic! Berlin box in my hands, took about 2.5 weeks. The cost savings, even after factoring in all service and shipping fees, were substantial—nearly 40% less than the local retail price for the same model.
Concluding Thoughts
Utilizing Sugargooproduct finder spreadsheet