A Client Tried 1688 for Sourcing | Real Case

We respect our clients' privacy. The photos shared are not client products, carefully chosen to protect confidential information.

You’ve probably seen it on TikTok or YouTube: “1688 is way cheaper than Alibaba, and you don’t even need an MOQ!” Honestly, that’s not wrong. But it’s definitely not the full story.

Yes, 1688 is a domestic wholesale platform where Chinese suppliers list products for local buyers. Some are factories, others are trading companies — and while the average prices can be lower than Alibaba, that’s mostly because you’re seeing bare product cost, without export service included.

For certain non-custom daily items like paper bags, socks, or basic stationery, you might even find listings with no MOQ at all. Compared to Alibaba, buying from 1688 can feel like a goldmine. One of our clients from the UK was tempted. He ordered 200 pairs of yoga pants from a factory on 1688. The price was great — and the deal seemed smooth at first. But then came the catch: the supplier didn’t offer international shipping. That’s part of why the pricing appears so attractive. The factories only make the product and everything after that is your problem to solve.

At that point, the best move was to either find a freight forwarder or work with a trusted partner like us. Luckily, he reached out to us, and also asked for a product inspection before shipping. When the batch arrived at our warehouse, several issues were immediately noticeable — loose threads, thin fabric, and some pants with uneven leg lengths. We shared a full report with him. His initial reaction was to return the whole batch, but the factory simply stopped replying. This is another reality with domestic suppliers — they may prioritize local buyers over foreign ones, especially if the order isn’t large enough to them.

We stepped in to help with communication. After multiple calls and messages, the factory finally agreed to either refund the defective items or remake them. But their production schedule was full, which means remaking the batch would take another month.

In the end, the price was cheap, but the delay cost him an entire month of sales. For time-sensitive products like seasonal clothing or promotional items, that delay can mean lost market opportunities and excess inventory that’s harder to move later.

From sourcing perspective, this case highlights several key points:

1. Low price doesn’t mean low total cost. Once you factor in delays, extra inspections, and freight, the “cheap” deal can end up more expensive than sourcing from a slightly higher-priced but export-ready supplier.
2. Communication matters as much as quality. A supplier who replies quickly and honestly about timelines can save you weeks of uncertainty.
3. 1688 is built for the domestic market. If you’re buying from abroad, you’re essentially adapting a local supply chain for export, and that requires extra steps, from language to cultural bridging.

Yes, 1688 can help you lower product cost but only if you're working with a reliable supplier who actually communicates. And honestly, that applies no matter where you're sourcing from. Because it affects everything: whether you can negotiate effectively, whether the suppliers respect your timeline or sales plan, and how they handle unexpected issues.

If you’re attracted by the low prices you see online, make sure you understand the full picture before committing. On 1688, you’re typically responsible for quality control, export paperwork, and shipping arrangements yourself — all of which require far more coordination than simply placing an order online. Knowing how to anticipate and manage these hidden costs is the real key to truly profitable importing.

Originally published on jingsourcing.com