The traditionally expensive shtreimel market may be facing an unlikely new competitor: a Chinese manufacturer offering Chassidishe shtreimlach online for prices beginning at just $960, far below what many buyers are accustomed to paying in Israel and the United States.
For generations, shtreimlach have been associated with highly specialized craftsmen, custom fittings and prices reaching thousands — and sometimes tens of thousands — of shekels. But a listing on Alibaba is now offering what it describes as a genuine Chassidish eshtreimel directly from a manufacturer in China.
The product is being sold by Hengshui Fn Fur Trading Co., Ltd., a company based in China’s Hebei province. On Alibaba, the manufacturer is listed with a rating of 4.9 out of 5 based on 13 reviews.
The listing describes the product as a “Streimel Jewish Hasidic Hat” and references sable fur and sable tails, along with fox fur. Current prices range from $960 to $1,350, with a minimum order of two shtreimlach.
According to details of the offer that circulated online, customers can choose among four sizes based on head circumference: 54–56 centimeters, 56–58 centimeters, 58–60 centimeters and 60–62 centimeters.
Perhaps even more intriguing is that the Chinese company is not limiting itself to finished shtreimlach. Its Alibaba listings also offer raw materials used in their production, including Russian and Canadian sable tails, available at wholesale prices of several dozen dollars per piece.
The availability of those materials raises the possibility that the manufacturer has considerable familiarity with the shtreimel production process and may already have connections to businesses within the industry. There is currently no evidence, however, that the Chinese company manufactures shtreimlach for any established producers in Israel or the United States.
The appearance of a Chinese-made shtreimel available for direct purchase at a fraction of the prices commonly charged in much of the traditional market is nevertheless drawing considerable interest — and raising the question of whether established shtreimel machers have reason to be concerned.
The bigger question, however, is what buyers would actually receive for the bargain price. The quality of the fur, craftsmanship, durability, fit and ability to produce the distinctive styles favored by different Chassidishe courts cannot easily be determined from photographs and specifications on an online listing.
For now, the $960 Chinese shtreimel may be more curiosity than industry disruptor. But in a market where a traditional shtreimel can cost many times that amount, its arrival is certainly enough to get shtreimel machers — and their customers — talking.
8 comments:
You can build your own house too for much less if your willing to sweat it’s the same thing with anything Alibaba is a b to b website it’s not just place the order online if you know you know try ordering these streimals you will quickly realize it’s not so simple besides after shipping it may not be all that less
Are they as good ?
First, if it's from China then I think the closest to real fur that it gets is that they show it to a dog or cat before putting it into a box. The Chinese use chep materials and lie about contents routinely.
Second, this is a country that limits freedom of worship. Shuls are monitored. No public religious displays. Never mind government policy which has been to openly side with Iran and Hamas and erase Israel from its maps.
Third, this is a country that threatens to occupy its neighbours in the name of "unifying the Chinese people" and puts folks whose religion it doesn't like in concentration camps.
Buying from China today when not necessary (because let's face it, you can't avoid them sometimes) is like buying from Germany in 1938.
Don't do it.
The hyligeh shtreimel of the Hasidic religion must be made lishmuh, lishem Hasidis. How can a Chinese do that???
Make it from rats tails instead.
it can spread animals diseases to people
I bought two it really works. My praying is a lot better and I understand the Hebrew from the prayer book also
You people are so silly. Where do you think all the Streimal manufacturers get their products from? Everything comes from china. But like I said before try building your own house before trying to order from alibab
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