Alibaba - Reliable?

[ebonybailey]

A family member is looking to buy clothing as she is starting her own business, so she is looking into where she can buy stock from, Is Alibaba.com a good reliable site? if so an advice on what to look / lookout for? and if its unreliable, any good alternatives?

Michael

 

[mhall]

The only useful advice I can give you regarding Alibaba is to use a new and separate email account. Your email address will be given to hundreds of companies and the spam is relentless from them.
If you can find an agent you can trust to sift through them all or to investigate the companies alibaba finds, you can find some good stuff although most want huge quantities from you.

 

[sskimins]

Alibaba is for large amount order, and also some manufacturer especially Chinese one they sell fake branded product. Personally you can tell you it's better make investigation in google before you purchase any product from them. I also you do not use Western Union payment method, as this payment will charge you 25% of total payment.

 

[The Wholesaler]

As a start up she would be far better off sourcing from UK based suppliers, less ricks and smaller minimum order quantities.

 

[sskimins]

As a start up she would be far better off sourcing from UK based suppliers, less ricks and smaller minimum order quantities.

Yes, I agree with you.

 

[ebonybailey]

I think the plan is to buy a small number initially, probably UK based, she may even buy retail, as i have suggested she needs to test some first, essentially its clothing with the ability to design it yourself ( colour, logos etc ). Longer term its trying to understand the best place to buy bulk, some orders only have to be 50 at a time so that's not too bad. but haven't investigated any further than that really, i had heard of this site but didn't know what type or reputation it had.
Thanks for the comments so far guys.

 

[sskimins]

A family member is looking to buy clothing as she is starting her own business, so she is looking into where she can buy stock from, Is Alibaba.com a good reliable site? if so an advice on what to look / lookout for? and if its unreliable, any good alternatives?

Michael[/QUO

I think the plan is to buy a small number initially, probably UK based, she may even buy retail, as i have suggested she needs to test some first, essentially its clothing with the ability to design it yourself ( colour, logos etc ). Longer term its trying to understand the best place to buy bulk, some orders only have to be 50 at a time so that's not too bad. but haven't investigated any further than that really, i had heard of this site but didn't know what type or reputation it had.
Thanks for the comments so far guys.

I started my online business, I have advantage to looking for Chinese reliable supplier and start with small amount. I find excellent manufacture through Alibaba.cn, not Alibaba.com, I was paying CNY, so it didn't cost me a lot.

 

[The Wholesaler]

Most of the wholesalers that we work with are used to dealing with start ups and therefore many offer very low minimum orders for each line allowing you to carry a range rather than a lot of one design.

 

[Directimport]

A family member is looking to buy clothing as she is starting her own business, so she is looking into where she can buy stock from, Is Alibaba.com a good reliable site? if so an advice on what to look / lookout for? and if its unreliable, any good alternatives?

Michael

You may find my comments on Alibaba in the thread:Tips on buying from Alibaba interesting.

 

[Aarona80]

Of course, alibaba is a famous site.But I can't said suppliers on there are all reliable.You should identify them.Screening conditions includes: "Glod Supplier" , " Assessed Supplier" and "Qualification proof".

As a start up,maybe dropship is a good selection.You don't need to worry about stock and other risks.So that you can spend all your time and money on market.It's very important to open up markets firstly as a small business.

 

[Directimport]

Of course, alibaba is a famous site.But I can't said suppliers on there are all reliable.You should identify them.Screening conditions includes: "Glod Supplier" , " Assessed Supplier" and "Qualification proof".

As a start up,maybe dropship is a good selection.You don't need to worry about stock and other risks.So that you can spend all your time and money on market.It's very important to open up markets firstly as a small business.

Gold Supplier badges are not an indication of reliability. They are just ordinary verified suppliers who have bought the Gold status symbol to give the impression that they are reliable and trustworthy. Being verified on Alibaba means the business actually exists.

Qualification proof is part of the Assessed Supplier protocol. The only suppliers listed on Alibaba that I would even consider using are ones who have Assessed Supplier status, but buyers must read the whole assessment report and not just rely on the fact that the business has been assessed.

 

[phoebe9214]

I suggest to find one trader to buy clothes for you in Guangzhou wholesale market. The goods there are cheap which are good for starting a business.

 

[Aloha Telecom]

We have used them and touch wood everything has been ok. I 100% agree with the "Get a new email approach" I remember coming into the office 1 day to over 120 new emails from potential suppliers! It maybe worth looking to source a UK/European supplier as it provides a bit more security. Depending on the funds.. Don't write off the idea of flying out to see your provider. Especially if you going to be spending £20k+ with them. You get a lot of vibes from meeting people.

 

[MOIC]

If it's a start up business and the quantities are low, then it's best to buy from local wholesalers, depending on where you are.

For example, if you are in London, then head to Commercial Road where you will find plenty of wholesale outlets to accommodate a start up business.

I would not recommend China for start ups in clothing.