Do you use Alibaba?

[wombat67]

been using alibaba for years with no problems from both ends: buying and selling. You have to do your due diligence, but otherwise you should be fine. As for Chinese gov turning against Alibaba, I think is just because the owner forgot to pay the dues :)..temporary issue, I think. For smaller orders, Aliexpress is off course the way to go.

[natsuigneelz]

I don't use it, but wanted to try for sometime.

[tangjames]

Used to import from alibaba.com. After some time, a friend told me to use 1688.cn. ( it's the local alibaba site for China). Example of some stuff I imported from alibaba cost me about $12/pc whereas 1688.cn cost me about $7. The disadvantage is 1688.cn is a Chinese site.

[tangjames]

I used to be importing from alibaba.com until a friend told me to use 1688.com (it's the local version of alibaba). Example of an item cost me $12 at alibaba but $7 at 1688. For retail purchase I buy from taobao.com instead of aliexpress. Prices are really far off. Example, I was looking at an item (car accessories), it cost $42-46 at aliexpress whereas taobao.com cost only $17.

The disadvantage is 1688 and taobao is a chinese site.

[Roberto85]

I don't use, but some of my friends are.

[Roberto85]

I did not use, but some of my friends are quite often.

[pablohunt2812]

I'm never use before. But At present. I must use to exchange money. I'm use Alipay

[Logo28]

Never used, possibly try...

[gdawgrulz]

Alibaba is great and we have found a number of solid suppliers there. Initially when we started importing to sell on Amazon we did everything ourselves. The problem is there are far too many posers who are trading companies or brokers and not actual manufacturers on all of these sites. Its difficult to discover the real manufacturers. The best approach we have found from the US is to do our research on sites like Alibaba, Global Sources, HKTDC and the trade show directories and then turning that research over to either a sourcing agent or friend on the ground in China to ferret out the real manufacturers and start dialog with them on our behalf.

On the other hand, we've also done plenty of free + shipping "trinket flipping" via Ali Express via Shopify to bring new customers into our funnels. This works well as long as you are prepared for all the inquiries regarding the slow shipping times.

[Helen90]

Never used...