How to Hire the Best China Agent to Buy from China or 1688.com?
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1688 vs Taobao
1688 and Taobao are both popular e-commerce platforms owned by Alibaba Group, but they serve different purposes and target different audiences.
Here’s a comparison between the two:
- 1688 is best for businesses and resellers looking to purchase products in bulk at wholesale prices.
- Taobao is ideal for individual consumers looking for a wide variety of products, often with more support for international buyers.
Both platforms are excellent for different needs, depending on whether you are buying for personal use or business purposes.
What is 1688.com Agent?
A 1688 agent is a company or individual that helps buyers to source and purchase products from 1688.com. 1688.com is a Chinese B2B marketplace where manufacturers and wholesalers sell their products to businesses and individuals. 1688 agents can help buyers to find the best products, negotiate prices, and arrange shipping.
Wholesale products from 1688 is sometimes not as simple as imagined, it needs some assistance in a specific environment, depending on different customers, the way of assistance may also be different.
How to Hire Best 1688.com Agent?
But you can’t avoid the assistance of 1688 agent, at least for now, so when you consider what is the best agent to buy on 1688, you need to consider the following three factors:
1. Good Communication Skills:
Basic text communication is no problem. If you have more operational needs, English speaking and expression are a must.
2. Good Transparent System:
The trust here mainly includes the transparency of the entire transaction. Every transaction will give you a clear transaction list
3. Hire a Professional Company:
The scale is around 10-20 people. A company that is too large cannot handle such trivial work as 1688, and a company that is too small is likely to go bankrupt and then disappear with the payment for goods, especially for personal salesmen in SoHo.
Therefore, compared with the small percentage of commission, the quality of your goods and the safety of your payment are the most important.
Best 1688 Buyers for Export in China Process:
Generally speaking, a qualified 1688 agent will involve the following basic steps:
View your product link
You usually buy from different suppliers, and then organize the links to the products in a table…
- The agent first helps you check whether it is infringing and whether it can be transported…
- Whether the MOQ is too small to buy
- Is the value too low for the manufacturer to deliver
- Is the price/performance ratio too low to be worth buying?
- Help you match a suitable transportation plan.
Help you place an order
Before placing an order for you, 1688 agent needs to collect the amount of your payment, and any excess will be refunded and any deficiency will be compensated.
If you have a lot of products, you can log in to their account to add them to the shopping cart.
After all these are completed, the 1688 agent can place an order. However, this is only the beginning of the whole process.
Help you collect the goods and check the quality
Because the goods come from different suppliers, generally all the goods will be collected in about 7 weeks. The work of this process includes:
- 1. Count the product quantity
- 2. Find obviously wrong SKU products
- 3. Is there any obvious quality defect in the appearance of the product?
It is worth noting that the agent cannot help you eliminate all quality problems. Some subjective problems cannot be solved through communication. You need to purchase product samples for further confirmation, for example, too red, too thick, color deviation, too thick, too thin…
Return the goods with obvious quality problems
When the product quality inspection is completed, the agent will return or replace the product with quality defects.
However, this process will take extra time, so the first order needs to wait patiently for the agent to process it for you. It’s not that they didn’t spend time, but that the whole process does take so much time…
Record the actual purchased product quantity and amount.
In many cases, suppliers cannot guarantee inventory, and agents will refund them for products that cannot be shipped.
If you really need this product, you can wait for the supplier’s new product to come out of stock, or change the supplier and buy it elsewhere.
Help you take a reasonable packing method…make a packing invoice
First of all, many people will ignore this link. Good packaging can help you save the loss of subsequent goods during transportation. Because it is difficult to ask the shipping agent or supplier to compensate for the damage of the goods, it is necessary to take precautions and reasonable packaging in the future.
Secondly, reasonable packaging can also save space and reduce transportation costs.
After all this is done, the agent needs to help you list all the products that are boxed.
Settle the final payment
Because there will be problems with returns and refunds, the actual payment amount is different from what you paid us, so we have to make statistics, give you a detailed bill, how much difference we will refund to you… or use it Deduct the freight, or put it into the payment for the next batch of goods…
Calculate the weight and volume and choose a reasonable transportation method…
From the very beginning, 1688 agent is unable to help you calculate the accurate shipping cost, because the real volume and weight of the goods cannot be counted.
So when you ask 1688 agent to calculate the shipping cost for you from the very beginning, they can only give you a reference price and cannot provide an accurate assessment.
When your product is finished packing, your agent will provide you with a suitable shipping channel, you need to pay the shipping fee, and then arrange the shipping. Finally give you a tracking number.
1688 Dropshipping
You can’t use proxy 1688 shipping website to do these things when your purchase amount is more than 1000 US dollars… We strongly recommend that you must have a middleman to help you process these information… nothing else Way…at least when you’re buying in bulk.
How to Get 1688 Agent from China?
Finding a reliable 1688 agent in China can help you navigate the complexities of sourcing products from China’s largest business-to-business platform. These agents possess expertise in communicating with Chinese suppliers, ensuring quality control, and facilitating smooth shipping procedures. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to find and work with a 1688 agent:
1. Identify Your Needs and Requirements:
Before seeking an agent, clearly define your sourcing objectives, product categories, and desired service levels. Determine the specific tasks you want the agent to handle, such as product sourcing, negotiation, quality inspection, and shipping arrangements.
2. Research and Compare Agent Options:
Explore online directories and reviews to identify reputable 1688 agents. Check their experience, service portfolio, customer feedback, and industry reputation. Consider factors like communication proficiency, pricing structure, and efficiency in handling orders.
3. Shortlist Candidates and Engage in Initial Communication:
Shortlist potential agents based on your research and preferences. Reach out to shortlisted agents for preliminary discussions. Ask about their experience sourcing specific products, their communication methods, and their pricing for your specific requirements.
4. Assess Agent Expertise and Communication Skills:
In initial conversations, evaluate the agent’s understanding of your needs and their ability to communicate effectively in English. Assess their knowledge of the 1688 platform, their experience interacting with Chinese suppliers, and their approach to quality control.
5. Request Sample Orders and Review Processes:
Inquire about the agent’s process for sample orders, ensuring they can obtain samples from the suppliers you specify. Review their sample inspection procedures and ensure they meet your quality standards.
6. Negotiate Terms and Conditions:
Once you’ve selected a preferred agent, negotiate the terms of your partnership. Clearly outline the scope of services, pricing structure, payment terms, and expectations for communication and performance.
7. Establish Clear Communication Channels:
Establish clear and consistent communication channels with your 1688 agent. Agree on preferred communication platforms (email, phone, messaging apps) and establish regular check-in periods to track progress and address any issues promptly.
8. Monitor Product Quality and Compliance:
Work closely with your agent to ensure the quality of products meets your requirements. Review test reports, inspection certificates, and sample shipments to verify compliance with your specifications.
9. Manage Shipping Arrangements and Documentation:
Delegate shipping arrangements to your 1688 agent, including selecting the most suitable shipping method, handling customs clearance, and providing necessary documentation.
10. Evaluate Performance and Provide Feedback:
Regularly evaluate your agent’s performance, tracking their ability to meet your expectations, handle challenges effectively, and provide timely updates. Provide constructive feedback to continuously improve their service.
By following these steps, you can effectively identify and partner with a reliable 1688 agent to streamline your sourcing process, enhance quality control, and ensure smooth shipping procedures from China.
1688 Agent Scams
There are a number of scams that 1688 agents may attempt to pull on their clients. Here are a few of the most common:
- Asking for upfront payment. Some 1688 agents may ask for a large upfront payment to their personal bank account. This is a red flag, as legitimate agents will typically only require a small deposit upfront.
An effective test method is to ask them if they have multiple payment methods. For example, our company can provide multiple combination payment methods such as Hong Kong, overseas, banks, Alibaba trade assurance, Alipay, etc. Having a complete payment collection method is an implicit condition that the previous business was proceeding normally.
- Charging hidden fees. Some 1688 agents may charge hidden fees that are not disclosed to the client upfront. This can include things like quality control fees, shipping fees, and storage fees.
- Substituting inferior products. Some 1688 agents may substitute inferior products for the products that the client ordered. This can be done by using cheaper materials or by shipping products that are not up to the client’s specifications.
- Disappearing with the client’s money. Some agents may simply disappear with the client’s money after they have received payment. This is known as a “runner scam.”
Here Are Some Tips to Avoid Being Scammed by a 1688 Agent:
Here are some additional tips to avoid being scammed by a 1688 agent:
- Do your research. Before you hire an agent, be sure to research them thoroughly. Read reviews from other clients and check their website and social media pages.
- Get everything in writing. Make sure to get all of the terms of your agreement with the agent in writing. This includes the agent’s fees, payment terms, services offered, and refund policy.
- Use a trusted escrow service. If you are concerned about being scammed, you can use a trusted escrow service to hold your payment until the agent has delivered the products and services that you have agreed upon.
- Be wary of agents who offer deals that seem too good to be true.
- Be careful about giving out personal information, such as your bank account number or credit card number, to an agent.
- Be suspicious of agents who pressure you to make a decision quickly.
1688 Agent Malaysia:
If you’re looking for a reliable 1688 agent service in Malaysia, Supplyia offers comprehensive support for sourcing, purchasing, and shipping products from China. They handle everything from negotiating with suppliers to ensuring your goods are delivered safely to your doorstep in Malaysia.
Whether you’re a small business or an individual looking to import products, Supplyia simplifies the process, saving you time and effort.
1688 Agent Contacts:
if you want to hire a 1688 agent service in China, you can email to support@supplyia.com or visit the 1688 agent contact page.
