When you’re trying to get the right product made, it’s hard to find good sources who are dependable. This can leave you in a rut when you want to take your business to another level. However, sourcing products from Alibaba is one of the best things you can use in your arsenal to help you manufacture goods. You’re not just talking about somewhere in the states or a city, but a worldwide thing to truly help you create options in order to get the right products to your core audience. Here are some tips to help you source products.
Knowing What You’re Getting And How Much
When you begin outsourcing for your business, it’s very important that you know exactly what you’re getting. You can start by looking at the product page and look at the fine details. That’s very important especially if you’re ordering something from overseas. You can never quite tell right off the bat what you’ll get. Also, look at the unit price. Does it suit your price for what you need to sell at retail to actually make a profit? Also, how much of this item do you need to buy before you can go through with the purchase? See if you can find a way to negotiate a price when you wholesale a product. Additionally, some sellers offer free on board, which helps you cut down on your shipping costs from Asia to the states or anywhere else.
Look to Different Sources
Alibaba is a big helm for manufacturers. Of course, getting products overseas has a tendency to get a bad reputation due to low quality, bad manufacturing places, etc. If you find a product you like from a particular merchant, do your research on others. Make sure it’s someone who has good practices and is trustworthy enough for you to put your business together. A few things you can do include checking the listing for them, seeing what trade shows they’ve attended, and if they have a reputable website. You always want to pay attention for the red flags. There are tons of drop-ship companies out there that sell bootlegs, B-grade items, and more that could tarnish the legitimacy of your business. If you find they clear your checklist, then there’s a big chance you’re doing business with a sound manufacturer.
Choosing a Good Payment Method
Of course, it all comes down to the payment. You want to be someone that’s dependable as far as having your end right on the table. There are certain payment methods that pay the person upfront. While this is good on the supplier’s end, this may not be so good on yours. Why? Well, it’s easier for a person overseas to take advantage of this especially when the product hasn’t been made or it’s low quality. Paypal would be a great option because it’s safer and you can dispute certain things like the quality of the item, how it was received, and more. There’s a bit more responsibility that needs to be upheld on the other end.
Overall, sourcing products on Alibaba can be a great way to help you run your online business. Just be careful in choosing someone reputable to do your long or short-term business.
