Living in China as an expatriate presents several challenges, but there are also numerous benefits. One significant advantage is the convenience provided by services such as WeChat, Alipay, Didi, Taobao, JD, and Meituan, along with various mini-programs. After spending over a decade in Beijing, I find it hard to envision returning home.
Meituan, in particular, can be almost overly convenient. The app allows me to order nearly any food or beverage I desire, which gets delivered quickly to my doorstep without requiring me to leave my home—it's a test of self-control that I seldom succeed in.
Moreover, Meituan offers more than just food and drinks. Pharmacies list their products on Meituan, granting easy access to medications and medical supplies. Additionally, one can find office supplies, art materials, clothing, and home goods. There's even a selection of fresh flowers and plants!
But there’s more to it. Here are five intriguing and unexpected non-food items and services available on Meituan:
1. **Perfume**
While it might be less surprising and more of a nice discovery, Meituan stocks perfumes and beauty products from many well-known brands via stores like Sephora and Harmay. There are even专柜代买 zhuānguì dàimǎi shops that specialize in a single brand, making shopping more convenient. Although the variety may not be vast, if you’re on the lookout for samples or full bottles of popular fragrances or beauty items, Meituan is worth checking out first.
2. **Electronics**
Initially, the idea of shopping for electronic items on Meituan seemed astonishing, but now it feels quite normal. You can find everything from phone cables, USB drives, headphones, and charging blocks to phones, tablets, and computers from brands like Sundan, Apple, Vivo, Samsung, and Huawei.
3. **Printing and Other Office Services**
For a long time, I dreamed of sending documents out for printing and having them delivered to my home as effortlessly as ordering a pizza and beer on Meituan. Well, it’s possible! Several office supply stores or shops selling mobile phone and computer accessories on Meituan also provide printing, copying, scanning, and/or photography services. Depending on the shop and the service, options include different paper sizes, color or black-and-white printing, single-sided or double-sided printing, number of pages, and whether the documents arrive in protective sleeves. The usual process involves selecting a desired service, adding the shop via phone number on WeChat, communicating through WeChat or during checkout on Meituan, and sending the document through WeChat. However, it’s advisable to confirm the specifics and process with the shop. Simple and convenient!
4. **S*x Toys**
Honestly, I’m not quite sure how I stumbled upon this discovery; I assure you I wasn’t looking for it! Nevertheless, if you're in need (or perhaps even if you're not—no judgment here), you can find a selection of adult products on Meituan, ranging from lingerie to more explicit items. Just search for 成人用品 chēngrén yōngpǐn and explore.
5. **Pets**
This category transitioned me from mild surprise to shock and then to sadness. Beyond pet food and care items, habitat supplies, and enrichment products, Meituan also offers a variety of animals for sale and delivery, including fish, turtles, crabs, lizards, birds, hamsters, rabbits, and yes, even cats.
However, just because you can doesn’t mean you should order an animal from Meituan. Please, I urge you not to. Consider the well-being of the animal and always try to acquire pets in person or, even better, look into adopting from one of Beijing's numerous pet rescue organizations like Furry Tales.
Have you discovered any surprising, fascinating, or just plain strange items on Meituan? Share your experiences in the comments!
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Here are five intriguing and surprising non-food products and services available on Meituan.