Dropshipping from 1688.com - Complete guide in progress

Jklmno said:

Really? You can get lower via WeChat?? Have you done it before??

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JB China said:

Hi guys! I am JB. Come from Denmark, but have been living in China the past 5 years, working with products sourcing/supply chain management. I am new here, and has been filled with inspiration since the first visit! So thanks to all you for that!

I have written a bit more about myself in the introduction forum, and have made a thread in the dropshipping forum about an idea I have for improving the process of dropshipping. Few views and no replies. I was asking for input, help to develop it further. But then I remebered something I wrote in my introduction: That I hope to soon be able create value for the other members.

So.. Before I go ask for help and input, it seems fair that I first start sharing something which might be of value to you guys.

Most of the members in here doing dropshipping will be familiar with 1688.com. That 95% of the time, products found on Aliexpress, can also be found, and much cheaper, on 1688.com

I have looked through the forum and there is some good info out there. But it mostly ends up in someone recommending theirs or other services to act as agent, and help people with the buying process. These services, such as freeshoppingchina, can be very useful. And they might be the best option for some. But, of course, they take a cut. And more importantly in my opinion: You don't have direct communication with the actual seller!

After reading this guide it is my hope that all experienced dropshippers of Chinese products will be able to take advantage of the platform on their own.
The advantage is obvious: Price!. Many, if not most, sellers on Aliexpress are themselves dropshippers. Cutting out the middle man is desirable of course.
This guide is made on the assumption that you have already found, perhaps started to sell, the winning product from Aliexpress or similar, but looking to cut down on cost.

Chinese new year is here, and am spending it with the in-laws, so will have to split the guide up. Can only "sneak" away for so long each day doing what I'll tell them is "extremely important work"
I will go through the following, with my post deadline on the right:

• How to navigate the site. How to create user. 4/2/19
• Ways to find your product on 1688. How to choose the right supplier. 5/2/19
• How to estimate total unit cost, for accurate price comparison. 5/2/19
• Ways to communicate efficiently with supplier, without knowing Chinese 6/2/19
• How to place orders semi-automatically using csv sheets. 6/2/19
• How to ensure a smooth fullfilment process. 6/2/19
• Ways of minimizing the risk of quality issues. 7/2/19
• Shipping and tracking 8/2/19
• How to pay suppliers with and without Alipay 8/2/19

This should be enough for you to get going, but in the end I also will go through a few extra things you can do after, to take it to the next level:

• How to find the actual source manufacturer of the product, for even further savings 12/2/19
• How to negotiate dropshipping terms on bulk orders - getting the best from both worlds. 12/2/19
• How to add value to your brand through private labeling, custom packaging etc. 12/2/19

Ok that was very long for what turned out only to be the outline..But bear with me, first time writing this kind of thing. The "posting deadlines" are mostly just there so that I have publicly committed to the task and sort of forced to follow through. I don't presume it interesting enough to come back for every day haha.. Think it will be done by the 13th. might adjust subjects or shedule based on feedback, so let me know if you have any.. Any questions, just shoot away!

Take care!

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