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I've been selling on ebay for 3+ months.
They are asking me where I get my items (which is the big 3 in china). Should I tell ebay where I get it ?
I've read ebay doesn't like aliexpress, alababa, or dhgate, is that true?
#china #ebay
  • Profile picture of the author Importexport
    Originally Posted by pausevsp View Post

    I've been selling on ebay for 3+ months.
    They are asking me where I get my items (which is the big 3 in china). Should I tell ebay where I get it ?
    I've read ebay doesn't like aliexpress, alababa, or dhgate, is that true?
    If AliExpress, Alibaba, or DHgate are the big 3 you refer to there are plenty of people that don't like them.

    Just do a search for those names on Ripoff Report | Scams, reviews, complaints, lawsuits and frauds. File a report, post your review. Consumers educating consumers. and you will see why.

    I guess you are dropshipping, and if so, that would be what eBay are concerned about.

    If you want to make real money on eBay, I suggest importing a small inventory direct from the manufacturers in China instead of paying inflated prices by buying from wholesalers. You have very little chance of finding real manufacturers on the sites you mention.

    Also, beware of knockoffs being offered on AliExpress and DHgate. They can get you into big trouble.
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    Use emotions and perceptions to build a great brand. Ask me about my book LabelsThatExploit. For safe sourcing and easy importing from 41 countries globally, see https://provenglobalsourcing.com
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  • Profile picture of the author amcg
    If you want to make real money on eBay, I suggest importing a small inventory direct from the manufacturers in China instead of paying inflated prices by buying from wholesalers. You have very little chance of finding real manufacturers on the sites you mention.
    This is good advice. To find actual manufacturers,you have to really get your feet on the ground and establish direct relationships with factories. Otherwise, you are giving margin away by using third party marketplaces to source product. (selling product on these can be successful however)
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    • Profile picture of the author Importexport
      Originally Posted by amcg View Post

      This is good advice. To find actual manufacturers,you have to really get your feet on the ground and establish direct relationships with factories. Otherwise, you are giving margin away by using third party marketplaces to source product. (selling product on these can be successful however)
      Thanks amcg,

      There is no doubt that it is better to visit the factories if you can. Unfortunately I find that most of the people who come to me to learn safe sourcing and easy importing can't afford to travel overseas to visit the factories.

      The best alternative is to only use third party marketplaces that have genuine manufacturers listed. It is indisputable that most suppliers listed on the popular third party sourcing sites as manufacturers are in reality traders, not manufacturers.

      I recommend to my students a small number of safe sourcing sites where they can find genuine manufacturers listed. You never see those sites mentioned on forums because they don't advertise heavily.

      Market research should begin long before anyone starts looking for suppliers. Once you know how, finding suppliers is easy and the importing process is even easier, but choosing which products to sell and then marketing them is always the hard part..

      Research needs to pinpoint products that are saleable, with some certainty about the selling price obtainable, and must take into account selling costs such as eBay, Amazon, PayPal, and postage. Without that research most people will struggle to make reasonable profits on eBay. I suggest having a look at Auctiondebteliminator's posts on the subject.

      Once that research is complete it is not difficult to find suppliers that can provide amazingly low prices, but unless you locate real manufacturers you cannot possibly enjoy the maximum possible profits.

      Too many people on WF look for wholesalers, when they should be setting their sights much higher.

      Wholesalers buy from manufacturers, at massively lower prices than those wholesalers will charge. If Warriors only knew how much lower those prices are and what a huge difference there is in profit margins, nobody would be looking for wholesale sources.

      I know that people are put off trying to buy direct from manufacturers by the misinformation posted on forums about having to buy huge quantities if you buy direct.

      I tell my students to ignore the misinformation -- ignore the big MOQs quoted by suppliers, and by using the right approach, get the factories to supply small orders direct at factory prices.
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      Use emotions and perceptions to build a great brand. Ask me about my book LabelsThatExploit. For safe sourcing and easy importing from 41 countries globally, see https://provenglobalsourcing.com
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  • Profile picture of the author lastreporter
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    • Profile picture of the author pausevsp
      I am not drop shipping. I buy wholesale, and have been doing well so far.

      All my info is real not stealth, and verified.

      I had 100/5000 limit
      Now 125/6500

      I have a 100%fb and I'm a top rated seller.
      I'm not buying counterfeit items or ripping anyone off.

      I called for a limit increase and they were asking where I bought my products, I didn't tell him, I just beat around the bush.
      He gave me another 25 items and said to call after 30 days and they will want to know who my supplier is.

      So its been 30 days and I'm wondering what I should tell them.
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  • Profile picture of the author timpears
    It is no ones business where you get your supply, especially if you are direct importing and shipping the stuff from your home/business. Just tell them it is a trade secret. NONYA, in other words (None of Your (business)).
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    Tim Pears

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    • Profile picture of the author lastreporter
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      • Profile picture of the author Importexport
        Originally Posted by lastreporter View Post

        It's eBay's business if you want to sell on their site. See other posts regarding counterfeit products being sold there.
        I have no reason to doubt the OP's statement that he is not selling knockoffs, but for the benefit of all warriors I would like to point out that it is possible to sell knockoffs without being completely aware that they are counterfeit.

        One thread on the subject with only 8 posts is probably worth reading. Counterfeit Products on Alibaba?
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        Use emotions and perceptions to build a great brand. Ask me about my book LabelsThatExploit. For safe sourcing and easy importing from 41 countries globally, see https://provenglobalsourcing.com
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        • Profile picture of the author pausevsp
          I'm not buying any branded items. Just generic consumer electronics .
          I check everything I sell, making sure it works before I send.

          Really the only thing I'm asking is.

          Has Ebay asked anyone where they get their supply?

          Has anyone told Ebay they get items from AliExpress, Alibaba?
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  • Profile picture of the author Magicalidea
    Really ? I really hate anything from China
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    • Profile picture of the author Importexport
      Originally Posted by Magicalidea View Post

      Really ? I really hate anything from China
      Don't write off China as a supply source because of the failure of so many importers to understand how things really work in China.

      I ran an importing business for 22 years, with the bulk of the products coming from China. My franchisees in 4 countries never sold on price, only on quality and service.

      When I first started importing, one of the reasons was that the locally made product that was my main line was not good enough quality. I sourced from China and not only got outstanding quality, but I got better service and faster delivery than buying locally.

      Having visited many factories in China both as an exporter from 1978 to 1987 and an importer since 1987, I know that a single factory will often produce different qualities. The quality most people see is the trash that is produced to meet the predatory pricing demands of big retailers.

      The superb quality such as I and my franchisees consistently got cost very little more, and even small importers can get that superior quality if they specify it. It will still cost you such a low price that you will be able to make huge profits.

      If you want to sell physical products and you still don't want to buy from China there are plenty of other countries where you can get low priced items. In fact I encourage people to look at other countries, particularly if they want something that is not being sold by every vendor on eBay.
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      Use emotions and perceptions to build a great brand. Ask me about my book LabelsThatExploit. For safe sourcing and easy importing from 41 countries globally, see https://provenglobalsourcing.com
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      • Profile picture of the author amcg
        Originally Posted by Importexport View Post

        Don't write off China as a supply source because of the failure of so many importers to understand how things really work in China.

        I ran an importing business for 22 years, with the bulk of the products coming from China. My franchisees in 4 countries never sold on price, only on quality and service.

        When I first started importing, one of the reasons was that the locally made product that was my main line was not good enough quality. I sourced from China and not only got outstanding quality, but I got better service and faster delivery than buying locally.

        Having visited many factories in China both as an exporter from 1978 to 1987 and an importer since 1987, I know that a single factory will often produce different qualities. The quality most people see is the trash that is produced to meet the predatory pricing demands of big retailers.

        The superb quality such as I and my franchisees consistently got cost very little more, and even small importers can get that superior quality if they specify it. It will still cost you such a low price that you will be able to make huge profits.

        If you want to sell physical products and you still don't want to buy from China there are plenty of other countries where you can get low priced items. In fact I encourage people to look at other countries, particularly if they want something that is not being sold by every vendor on eBay.
        I would also recommend visiting factories and China itself. Folks from the west (North America/Europe) will be pleasantly surprised visiting places like the Shanghai/Guangzhou region. Having gone there myself, it's clear that whilst in some areas e.g property rights, rule of law, the environment etc they are behind us, in many areas, they are more advanced.

        Clearly on the manufacturing side, they are and will continue to be the world's foremost manufacturer due to economies of scale and growing expertise. The quality of product, not just the quantity, will be what enables them to retain this status and you will see that over the coming years with the number of new Chinese brands on the market.
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  • Profile picture of the author Imran574
    The operator of the world's biggest online marketplace, eBay, agrees to partner with a Chinese company, in an effort to boost its sales.
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    • Profile picture of the author Importexport
      Originally Posted by Imran574 View Post

      The operator of the world's biggest online marketplace, eBay, agrees to partner with a Chinese company, in an effort to boost its sales.
      This is old news. It was reported in the China Daily in November 2012. As a regular reader of the China Daily I read this item, yawned, and continued reading.

      It is not likely to have any impact on users of eBay in Western countries, except that Xiu.com may attract a small number of Western buyers with their English version.

      With eBay sales to China increasing at a rate of 30% to 40% annually it would appear that the old eBay will continue to be the marketplace of choice.
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      Use emotions and perceptions to build a great brand. Ask me about my book LabelsThatExploit. For safe sourcing and easy importing from 41 countries globally, see https://provenglobalsourcing.com
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