Buying from Alibaba - Without having a company

[zebestof230]

Hello,

I plan to buy some chinese stuff from Alibaba, like 300 fidget spinners and more stuff and I don't have any experience in buying from there.

Do I need a company name, or even a company ?
I planned to sell them one by one on Facebook groups or go directly see some retailers to sell them some packs for them to sell.

Is it as simple as buying on AliExpress ?
Do you have any advice regarding how to get the best price, best quality or best communication ?

Anything would help. Thank you guys !

 

[bartosimpsonio]

You don't need a company. On Alibaba you get proposals from companies, on Aliexpress you buy like on Ebay. It's the same system, you can buy as individual, no issues.

 

[Hillel13]

Hello,
Always ask for a sample you are never sure the seller is not a scammer !

 

[ntjoji]

you can buy from Aliexpress, contact the seller for wholesale prices

 

[MaFiaStyle]

You don't need a company. On Alibaba you get proposals from companies, on Aliexpress you buy like on Ebay. It's the same system, you can buy as individual, no issues.

Yes you are almost right. Always check the feedback and buy from verified sources. Anyhow Alibaba pricing is high. Try to look for domestic seller. The price is usually alot lower for the same product.

Hello,
Always ask for a sample you are never sure the seller is not a scammer !

Sample still cost money as you will be paying for the shipping. No seller will give free sample along with free shopping.

you can buy from Aliexpress, contact the seller for wholesale prices

Prices on Aliexpress is already markup and ALL the sellers there are just dropshippers. None of them are direct manufacturer. Thus their pricing is always going to be higher.

 

[bartosimpsonio]

Prices on Aliexpress is already markup and ALL the sellers there are just dropshippers. None of them are direct manufacturer. Thus their pricing is always going to be higher.

I've bought custom items on Alibaba with my brand printed on it and the items arrived in days. If they were dropshippers they sure fooled me cuz they said they did these customizations themselves and their turnaround time does point that way.

 

[MaFiaStyle]

I've bought custom items on Alibaba with my brand printed on it and the items arrived in days. If they were dropshippers they sure fooled me cuz they said they did these customizations themselves and their turnaround time does point that way.

Alibaba is a whole sale platform (Though some are dropshipper as well.)
Aliexpress is 100% dropshipper or reseller (I am talking about Aliexpress and not alibaba, both serve different market)

 

[X-R0]

look for verified Alibaba Member Diamond or Gold... ask for a special offer... sell yourself as a new startUp and tell them whats your plan (not in detail). Wright not more then 5 producer at the same time, just look who can offer you the best deal. If you find one to work with, skype with them an tell them you are a buying agent and your boss want to know more about shipping cost and ask for a sample. They always look for long-term partnership... so be polite but confident. if it comes to payment always use escrow service.

just some normal steps you have to take, but honestly your intensions don't sounds like a well-worked out plan... fidget spinners?

my advice, start the other way by thinking you the producer and you look for the right partner to sell your product, what would be important for you.

 

[bartosimpsonio]

Alibaba is a whole sale platform (Though some are dropshipper as well.)
Aliexpress is 100% dropshipper or reseller (I am talking about Aliexpress and not alibaba, both serve different market)

I understand that. Aliexpress also has some OEMs in there, they use names like Mike or Shirley, but they're really Xi and Chang working for large Chinese manufacturers. No problem though, they have never failed me in any orders so far.