Sourcing from China sounds easy—until you're ghosted, overcharged, or sent the wrong product. One China-based sourcing expert has seen it all, and they’re spilling the hard truths most sellers don’t hear until it’s too late.
Thinking of placing that first order? You’ll want to read this first.
SELLER CONFESSIONS
An ecommerce seller (OP) confessed: They’ve helped dozens of first-time importers source from China, and they still see the same mistakes.
If you’ve ever sourced products from China, you’ve probably heard the horror stories: shady suppliers, ghosted messages, quality control nightmares.
But for one seller who actually lives in China and helps clients source low-MOQ products like toys and accessories—it’s not just talk. It’s their daily reality.
💬 Negotiating lower MOQs
Most suppliers will say no if you dive straight into a low-order request—but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.
🏭 “Factory” or just a middleman?
Don’t just take their word for it—verify every supplier.
Note: Trading companies aren’t always bad. But if they mislead you from the start, consider that a red flag.
💸 The real cost of cheap
A “great deal” on Alibaba can turn into a five-figure mistake.
📱 WeChat wins business
Most new sellers rely on email, and that’s exactly why they get ghosted.
Sourcing from China is about navigating a deeply nuanced system built on relationships, communication, and cultural fluency. A little local knowledge goes a long way.
In this space, how you ask matters just as much as what you ask for.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
Behind every good sourcing deal is a great relationship. You don’t need to be fluent in other languages, but you do need trust, clarity, and the right questions.
TOGETHER WITH WALMART MARKETPLACE
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*Data provided by Lavazza.
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