How to find the right Alibaba supplier? ⬇️
(a method I use to help me avoid scams)
A value-packed thread if you use Alibaba for bulk product sourcing.
🔥 /// THREAD /// 🔥
(a method I use to help me avoid scams)
A value-packed thread if you use Alibaba for bulk product sourcing.
🔥 /// THREAD /// 🔥
1 - Types of suppliers
On Alibaba, you can find:
- Factories (manufacturers)
- Trading companies
- Wholesalers
On Alibaba, you can find:
- Factories (manufacturers)
- Trading companies
- Wholesalers
Use factories for:
- OEM or ODM
- Product development
- Private labeling
- OEM or ODM
- Product development
- Private labeling
Use trading companies for:
- Shorter lead times
- Smaller quantities
- Multiple different products
- Shorter lead times
- Smaller quantities
- Multiple different products
Use wholesalers for:
- Small quantities (not bulk orders)
- Small quantities (not bulk orders)
Often, trading companies will tell you they are factories. Ask them for an address and show interest in visiting them in person to see their reaction.
Actual factories should have no problem with this.
A trading company pretending to be a factory will find excuses.
Actual factories should have no problem with this.
A trading company pretending to be a factory will find excuses.
2 - Product research
Before you start researching suppliers, research your product to learn all about it and make an informed decision.
Check everything about the product:
- Price range
- Quality
- Market demand
- Competition
- Target audience
- Keywords and search terms
Before you start researching suppliers, research your product to learn all about it and make an informed decision.
Check everything about the product:
- Price range
- Quality
- Market demand
- Competition
- Target audience
- Keywords and search terms
3 - Preparation for ordering
Next, you need to define your requirements and learn what you’re looking for and what you can afford.
Next, you need to define your requirements and learn what you’re looking for and what you can afford.
Define these points:
- Product quality
- Product specifications (design, color, size, material, model, etc.)
- Budget
- MOQ
- Inventory storage solution
- Additional services needed (OEM, branding, etc.)
- Product quality
- Product specifications (design, color, size, material, model, etc.)
- Budget
- MOQ
- Inventory storage solution
- Additional services needed (OEM, branding, etc.)
4 - Search for products
On Alibaba, you can search for products or suppliers.
You can search by using:
- Keywords
- Images
- RFQ posts
On Alibaba, you can search for products or suppliers.
You can search by using:
- Keywords
- Images
- RFQ posts
5 - Filters and narrowing down
Look for suppliers by setting the following filters for maximum safety:
- Trade Assurance
- Verified Supplier
- <1h response time
Look for suppliers by setting the following filters for maximum safety:
- Trade Assurance
- Verified Supplier
- <1h response time
Additional filters you can set:
- MOQ
- Price range
- Supplier country (location)
- R&D
- Total revenue
- Product certification
- Color, feature, material, size, application, pattern, etc. depending on the type of product)
- MOQ
- Price range
- Supplier country (location)
- R&D
- Total revenue
- Product certification
- Color, feature, material, size, application, pattern, etc. depending on the type of product)
6 - Product page
Once you find a product you like from the Alibaba search results, open it. You’ll end up on its product page.
Once you find a product you like from the Alibaba search results, open it. You’ll end up on its product page.
Key points to analyze on a product page:
- Badges (Verified Supplier / Trade Assurance)
- Product images or videos
- Price range
- MOQ
- Shipping information
- Lead time
- Customization (of the product or packaging)
- Number of buyers
- Reviews
- Product rating
- Badges (Verified Supplier / Trade Assurance)
- Product images or videos
- Price range
- MOQ
- Shipping information
- Lead time
- Customization (of the product or packaging)
- Number of buyers
- Reviews
- Product rating
7 - Google the supplier
I always do a background check on my Alibaba suppliers before ordering in bulk.
Firstly, Google this:
“[supplier name] + scam”
Google will give you any results connecting your supplier name to a scam.
I always do a background check on my Alibaba suppliers before ordering in bulk.
Firstly, Google this:
“[supplier name] + scam”
Google will give you any results connecting your supplier name to a scam.
Then, use the “search” function to look for your supplier’s company name in closed forums and groups where you’re a member.
8 - Prepare an email template
I like to have several email templates saved for sending to different suppliers (according to the product type / services I’m looking for).
I like to have several email templates saved for sending to different suppliers (according to the product type / services I’m looking for).
Send your initial email from a business email, it looks more professional. And, send it from the name of an “employee” in your company.
It sounds more professional than saying you’re the owner.
Factories want to deal with businesses, not individuals.
It sounds more professional than saying you’re the owner.
Factories want to deal with businesses, not individuals.
9 - Ask important questions
There are several important questions to ask your supplier:
- Can you offer a discount for higher MOQs?
- What’s your return & refund policy?
- Can you send me product samples?
- Is there a money-back guarantee?
There are several important questions to ask your supplier:
- Can you offer a discount for higher MOQs?
- What’s your return & refund policy?
- Can you send me product samples?
- Is there a money-back guarantee?
- Lead time and turnaround time
- Can you help me with OEM or ODM?
- Payment methods that you accept
- Show me customer references / testimonials
- Shipping methods used
- Can you help me with OEM or ODM?
- Payment methods that you accept
- Show me customer references / testimonials
- Shipping methods used
10 - Place an order
I often see people in eCom blindly believing suppliers.
Huge mistake (unless it’s a supplier you’ve worked with for years).
I often see people in eCom blindly believing suppliers.
Huge mistake (unless it’s a supplier you’ve worked with for years).
This is my process of placing an order:
Step 1: Ask for a quote
Step 2: Negotiate prices
Step 3: Order samples
Step 4: Place bulk order
Do not skip steps 2 and 3. They are crucial for success!
Step 1: Ask for a quote
Step 2: Negotiate prices
Step 3: Order samples
Step 4: Place bulk order
Do not skip steps 2 and 3. They are crucial for success!
*BONUS TIPS TO AVOID SCAMMERS:
- Use trackable ways to pay (PayPal, cards)
- DO NOT PAY WITH WESTERN UNION (and similar services)
- Opt for suppliers that have been operating longer than 5 years
- Read reviews and order a sample before placing a bulk order
- Use trackable ways to pay (PayPal, cards)
- DO NOT PAY WITH WESTERN UNION (and similar services)
- Opt for suppliers that have been operating longer than 5 years
- Read reviews and order a sample before placing a bulk order
- Check the location of the supplier on a map (real factories are always located in the industrial outskirts of China)
- Set up inventory storage beforehand
- Don’t get stuck on finding a factory if you can make everything faster with a trading company
- Set up inventory storage beforehand
- Don’t get stuck on finding a factory if you can make everything faster with a trading company
Do you use Alibaba for bulk sourcing or another platform?
I’ve heard people using 1688 for bulk orders as it has local, lower prices.
But, it’s entirely in Chinese. So, you will need a sourcing agent in China or at least a local I assume.
I’ve heard people using 1688 for bulk orders as it has local, lower prices.
But, it’s entirely in Chinese. So, you will need a sourcing agent in China or at least a local I assume.
I’d love to hear about your experiences! 👇
That's a wrap!
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1. Follow me @richstemecom for more of these
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