Alibaba vs 1688- Which platform is better for importers?
As an importer, there’s a 95% chance that you have asked this question – Alibaba vs 1688:Which platform is better for importers? – either as a newbie in importation or as someone who is looking for some answers in order to get the best products.
For many importers from Africa looking to source for products and import from China, Alibaba comes to mind. However, not many know that 1688 is the same platform as Alibaba but in Chinese language.
What makes 1688 different from Alibaba is the fact that it operates in native Chinese language even though users can translate the site into English language. The company Alibaba made it’s platform a separate entity on its own which means it operates fully as a separate business with its own URL.
Aside from the fact that Alibaba.com and 1688.com are owned by the same company, there are a few reasons why importers prefer one to the other and here are some comparisons for you.
1. Prices
In comparison, prices of goods on Alibaba are higher than those on 1688.com. In most cases, Alibaba gives “foreign prices” which means they are a tad more than 1688 because the profit margin for merchants is added. However, in 1688, the prices of goods are way cheaper because of the fact that native Chinese merchants also shop there to resell on Alibaba. As an importer, you would want to source for cheaper goods so you can have a dependable profit margin for your business. Hence, you might want to shop where the locals are shopping so you can get the best prices.
2. Get direct supplier/manufacturer quote
Unlike Alibaba where many resellers parade themselves as manufacturers, it is easier to get direct supplier quote from 1688 because that is the native ecommerce hub for manufacturers and suppliers. 1688 is designed for B2B while Alibaba is B2C.
3. Fast Response
Again the structure of 1688 allows for quick feedback and response compared to ALibaba. This is because many suppliers are looking to get importers. So they are always online to attend to scouting importers when it comes to price negotiation, information on product quality etc. On the other hand, Alibaba’s response may not be quick because you have to submit a ticket or wait to be connected to the customer care support team for any enquiry you may have.
4. Payment Infrastructure
Alibaba tends to consumer shoppers worldwide hence they have a global payment system that allows shoppers to pay with Visa, Mastercard, paypal, Alipay etc, unlike 1688 where the payment is linear and not global. On 1688.com, vendors may find it difficult to receive money internationally except using platforms like Alipay. This is where procurement agencies like Naiyuan Mart come in handy because we can help you pay your local Chinese supplier/manufacturer in local currency while you pay the naira equivalent into our bank account in Nigeria.
5. Language Barrier
Alibaba is in English language while 1688 is in native Chinese language. Although the site has a feature where you can translate to English, the real hardwork is when you are ready to start negotiating with native Chinese suppliers and you discover that they do not understand English. Again, Naiyuan Mart gets this done for you. They negotiate with local Chinese suppliers on your behalf and help you through the sourcing, procurement, payment and shipping processes with ease.
6. Product Quality
Alibaba’s products are of high quality compared to 1688. This is because Alibaba product specifications requirement is quite high and equates to Amazon standard. So the sellers know what is required of them to be able to sell on the platform. However, in 1688, the product quality may be lower because there are no such strict regulations. As an importer, this may fly under your radar, which is why it is advisable to use the services of a reputable procurement agency like Naiyuan Mart to source for your goods to ensure that quality is maintained.
7. Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ)
Alibaba usually has MOQ in place while in 1688, there is no MOQ. This notwithstanding, the larger the quantity of your products, the cheaper the price you will get.
8. Legibility
In our last post, we talked about the Alibaba scams to watch out for. These scams are very low in 1688 because the platform requires that all manufacturers and companies submit operating licenses and other certificates before being listed. On Alibaba, many sellers are operating as trading companies meaning that they are retailers themselves. They buy from local manufactures and resell on Alibaba. Therefore, you can be sure that most of the suppliers on 1688.com are real and genuine.
9. Shipping
When buying from Alibaba, you can ship across borders easily using trusted shipping agencies working with Alibaba but on 1688.com, shipping will be discussed between you and your supplier. You can either rely on your suppliers to ship for you which is risky or you can use the help of a logistics agency like Naiyuan Mart to ship your goods to your desired location. The benefit of using an external shipping agent like Naiyuan mart is that they verify and consolidate your goods before shipping. Also, you can know what is being shipped before your goods leave China.
10. Refund
When you buy a product from Alibaba and you don’t receive your goods, you can apply for a refund and get it as soon as possible. However, it is not that easy to get refunds on 1688.com because you pay directly to your suppliers. This means that when you have issues like paying to a wrong account or a scam account, the chances of recovering your money is very slim. The hack to this is for you to use the services of a procurement agent like Naiyuan Mart to pay your supplier. We verify your suppliers for you before paying them and your procurement is in safe hands.
In conclusion, it is obvious that to get the best profit margin as a business owner and importer, 1688 is the best platform to source for goods in China. Considering the risks involved, you may want to mitigate this by using the services and expertise of Naiyuan Mart to shop easily and with peace of mind.
Naiyuan Mart is trusted by many importers because they are domiciled in both China and Nigeria, this means they are legally recognized. What this means for you as an importer is that they can source your goods, verify if a supplier is real, negotiate price on your behalf, warehouse your goods and ship for you while you handle other core aspects of your business.
You can read more about the services of Naiyuan mart here
You can also get more information from our resourceful eBook titled EXPERT IMPORTATION GUIDEBOOK