i think you can change your shoping way, buy online products now i know taobao.com very good and very convinent for people buy stuff, also price very cheap receive in home
but if you not live in china, you also can shopping online
not need came to china
if you can understand chinese , great .its easy for find products you want
if you not, no problem, i find already agent do this business, they provide cheap international shipping
in singapore already lots of started international shopping they know chinese
good luck
hope this can change you life