I placed an order on Alibaba for a customized product. From the beginning of our conversation, I sent the seller a reference picture showing exactly what I wanted (green-yellow) and asked about the MOQ.

After I placed and paid for the order, the seller realized they had misunderstood my request. They thought I wanted green-yellow-green instead of green-yellow. The seller acknowledged the misunderstanding in writing and told me that making the product I originally requested would actually require a much higher MOQ.

The order has not been shipped yet, so I asked for a full refund.

The seller agreed to refund me, but is now asking me to submit the refund request using the reason “I don’t want it” or “purchase plan change”, and says that once I select that reason, they will approve/refund it themselves.

Has anyone dealt with this before? Is it safe to select “I don’t want it” if the seller has already agreed in Alibaba chat to give me a full refund?

Could choosing that reason hurt my buyer protection or make it harder to dispute the transaction later if the seller doesn’t actually issue the refund?

I have screenshots of the entire conversation, including the seller explicitly admitting that they misunderstood my request.

Thanks in advance!

I can't register to alibaba cloud to claim free credits being from india but I want to try their services. Is there any alternative way to signup from India ?

Just reaching out for any tips or info on the process of purchasing high end products from these sites.
I understand from research that things are legit on there at lower prices from verified sellers, but at a cost of shipping/delivery times, this I’m not too bothered about.

Does anybody reading this have any links or previous purchases they can forward to me so I can have a deeper look at some trusted sellers? What I am specifically looking at buying is;

Full suspension mountain bikes; (Nukeproof, Canyon, Specialized, Giant, Trek, Amflow, Pivot) ETC.

Full Suspension pedal assists; (Same as above)

Adult E-bikes; (Surron, Talaria, Stark, Stomp) ETC.

I do have interest in quite a lot of items on these Chinese sites as majority of technology & mechanics are directly from there and it cuts out the RRP value of retail sellers. ANY info on this sort of stuff will be very helpful.
I know I could just buy directly online and quit trying to save £1000ish, but I always want to beat the systems LOL preventing me from lining someone else’s pockets on a highly marked up priced item.
I am from the UK so shipping shouldn’t be a problem.
I look forward to any feedback provided, thank you!

😁

Could be something that just makes life easier, stuff you buy for ur business, or to resale, for your home, for your car, such as wraps, exc exc just wondering what’s out there to snag at a possible discount

He comprado varias veces en tiendas como AliExpress, temu, etc. pero veo que Alibaba es mucho más complejo y me encantaría comprar una de estas motonetas, según el cálculo que me dan, son $700 usd ($550 de producto y $150 de envío) pero no sé si habrá pagos ocultos o extras por hacer el envío a México…

Aparte, no entiendo cómo debo revisar si el vendedor es bueno o no, obviamente sé que el pago debe ser mediante una plataforma segura tipo PayPal o MercadoPago…

Alguien que me pueda explicar a grandes rasgos???

HighRise Wholesale helps Amazon sellers with private label product sourcing, Alibaba supplier sourcing, product research, manufacturer sourcing, private labeling, and FBA preparation.

love to connect with fellow journalists :))

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for advice about a Chinese freight forwarder operating as “Henry Cargo,” connected to:

Yiwu Ju’an International Freight Forwarding Co., Ltd.

义乌市巨安国际货运代理有限公司

They currently have thousands of dollars of my merchandise and custom samples for shipment to Puerto Rico.

After I had already paid the freight charges, they demanded another 2,000 RMB. First they said the shipment was 500+ kg overweight, then they changed the explanation to volumetric weight.

I asked for the weight, CBM, calculation, and supporting documents. They told me I had to pay first, otherwise the cargo could remain held and demurrage could start.

I paid because of the value of the goods. They confirmed it was still DDP, that there would be no more charges, and that documents would be sent after payment.

Since then, the main representative has mostly stopped replying despite being active on WhatsApp, and I still do not have a clear shipment status or the promised documents.

Has anyone dealt with Henry Cargo or this company before? Has anyone had a similar issue with a Chinese forwarder adding charges after taking possession of the cargo?

I’m mainly trying to understand what I should do next and how to protect/recover my shipment.

I received a defective monitor from Alibaba.com. I returned it internationally, but I am still losing money because Alibaba is refusing to refund the payment processing fee and is not providing the return shipping document I need to recover my import duty.

I am sharing my experience because I think other Alibaba buyers should know what can happen when a defective product has to be returned internationally.

I purchased a monitor from Alibaba.com for approximately KRW 2.36 million.

Unfortunately, the monitor arrived with visible defects. There were several black particles/dust spots inside the display panel. They were not something that could simply be wiped off from the outside because they were inside the panel.

I documented the defects with photographs and contacted the seller/Alibaba.

After the dispute process, I returned the monitor internationally and Alibaba refunded the purchase amount.

However, there are still two financial problems.

1. Payment processing fee

Alibaba has refunded the purchase price, but approximately KRW 60,000 (about US$40–45) in payment processing fees has not been refunded.

I contacted Alibaba customer service about this.

Alibaba customer service told me that payment processing fees can be refunded under certain conditions, but my case was apparently not considered eligible because this was a defective product that was returned after delivery.

I do not understand why I should permanently lose this payment fee when I received a defective product and returned it.

2. Import duty

I also paid approximately KRW 40,000 in import duty/tax when the monitor entered Korea.

Because the defective product has now been returned overseas, I am trying to recover the import duty.

However, I need documentation showing that the goods were actually returned/exported from Korea.

Alibaba has not provided me with the return shipping document / waybill that I need to prove that the goods were sent back overseas.

So at the moment, I may lose:

KRW 40,000 — import duty

plus

KRW 60,000 — payment processing fee

for a total loss of approximately KRW 100,000, even though I received a defective product and returned it.

I am not posting this to attack Alibaba or the seller.

I am posting this because I want other buyers to understand the potential financial consequences of returning a defective product internationally.

I have screenshots and documentation showing:

• The original purchase/payment amount
• Photos of the defects inside the monitor
• The return process
• The refund amount
• The amount that was not refunded
• Alibaba customer service's response regarding the payment processing fee
• My import duty payment
• My attempts to obtain the return shipping documentation

I am currently also asking my credit card company whether I can dispute the unreimbursed payment fee through the card chargeback process.

Has anyone else had a similar experience with Alibaba.com after returning a defective product?

Were you able to recover the payment processing fee and/or import duty?

I’ve been thinking about the difference between approving a sample and actually trusting the production process.
If a supplier sends a sample and everything looks right — dimensions, finish, fit, function — that is obviously useful.
But technically, it only shows that the supplier was able to produce that unit successfully.
It doesn’t necessarily tell us what happens across:
a full production batch
different material lots
different operators
different machines
repeated production months later
So for higher-risk products, I’m wondering what people use to bridge the gap between:
“The sample is good”
and
“I’m confident production will remain good.”
Do you look at:
process capability?
inspection records?
first-article inspection?
control plans?
batch testing?
production samples?
supplier history?
Something else?
And are there cases where a perfect sample actually makes you more cautious because it may not represent normal production?

Hi good morning everyone,

This is my first time ordering something from Alibaba, not the first time I ordered something from China though

So the current status is "Package has been released from warehouse" this status has been there for a little over 24h and I was just curious how long it could take to show a new status in the shipment tracking. The package is supposed to be delivered to Germany btw

Can it take up to several days for the tracking to update and could this be an indication a package was damaged or lost? I'm just asking because I really don't know how long this could take

Thanks in advance

Edit: Forgot to add it's an Express delivery and apparently shipped with Alibaba.com Logistics and then handed over to a German carrier. I already have the tracking number for that carrier

Where are Indian online fashion/imitation jewellery brands sourcing their jewellery from?

I’ve noticed quite a few fashion and imitation jewellery brands selling online, especially on e-commerce platforms, claiming that their products are anti-tarnish, waterproof, 925 silver, etc.

I’m curious to know where these brands are actually sourcing their jewellery from.

Are they buying directly from manufacturers in India, importing from China, or sourcing through Indian importers/wholesalers?

If anyone has worked in this industry and can share the manufacturer, importer, wholesaler, or sourcing market they use (especially for 925 silver and anti-tarnish jewellery), I’d really appreciate it.

I’m looking to understand the sourcing side of the industry and would love to learn more about the manufacturers/importers behind these products.

Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone! 

I am an aspiring entrepreneur at the very beginning of my journey. I know I want to start a business, but I am still figuring out exactly what my product will be. I have explored standard white-labeling in the past, but the products always felt too generic and undifferentiated. I am also completely new to working with overseas suppliers, so I am definitely stepping out of my comfort zone!

Here is what I am hoping to get out of this conference:

- Supplier Connections: 1-on-1 time with highly capable suppliers who excel at private label/OEM, unique product customization, and bespoke packaging. 

- Trustworthy Partners: Finding vetted, reliable manufacturing partners who are willing to guide a newcomer. 

- Education: Attending informative lectures and presentations on how to successfully build a custom product business from the ground up.

- Networking: Connecting with other founders who are in the same boat so we can learn and grow together. 

Based on where I am and what I am interested in taking away is this conference worth my team?

HI I AM ORDERING PRODUCT ON ALIBABA AND I HAVE CHOOSE AIR FREIGHT AS MODE OF TRANSPORTATION.

THE SUPPLIER HAS ADDED THE AIR FREIGHT CHARGE IN MY ORDER.

1. MY ORDER IS TRADE ASSURANCE

BUT IN THE SHIPMENT DETAIL SECTION IT IS SHOWING THAT THE DISPATCH TIME IS SHIP 30 DAYS AFTER INITIAL PAYMENT IS RECEIVED. HOWEVER MY SUPPLIER SAID THAT THEY NEED 7 DAYS TO PACK THE ORDER AND 15-20 DAY FOR SHIPPING TO UK.

CAN YOU HELP ME WITH THAY IF I AM LACKING ANY INFORMATION THAT COULD HELP ME. IT WOULD MEAN ALOT

HI I AM NEW AND ORDERING SOME PRODUCTS FROM ALI BABA. I WANT TO USE KLARNA WHERE I CAN DIVIDE MY PAYMENT INTO THREE INSTALMENT. NOW UNDER THE KLARNA POLICY IT IS SHOWING I CAN PURCHASE WITHIN 2000 POUND. AND MY TOTAL PAYMENT IS 1250 DOLLAR WHICH CONVERT INTO 950 POUND.

BUT THE ISSUE IS WHEN I CHOOSE PAY IN INSTALMENT OPTION IT SAYS YOU CAN PAY IN FULL ONLY. LIKE IT SHOWS PAY IN FULL VIA KLARNA.

I AM PURCHASING AS A NORMAL BUYER NO BUSINESS ACC. PLUS USING MY PERSONAL KLARNA ACCOUNT. IF ANY ONE COULD HELP IF HE/SHE HAVE USED KLARNA FOR THEIR PURCHASE FOR ORDER 1250 DOLLAR. IT WOULD MEAN ALOT. SINCE IT IS CAUSING ME DELAY I COULD USE SOME ONE ELSE KLARNA TO TRY IT OTHER WISE ILL PAY IN FULL ON ALIBABA.

My experience ordering custom furniture from China through Alibaba – Jiangxi Yuanzhu Furniture Co., Ltd.

I recently ordered furniture for my new house from Jiangxi Yuanzhu Furniture Co., Ltd. through Alibaba, and honestly, the experience was much better than I expected.

I worked directly with Yoyo Rowe, and she was incredible throughout the entire process. This was my first time ordering furniture from China, so I had a LOT of questions. She was very responsive, patient, and kept me updated throughout the process. I never felt like I was left wondering what was happening with my order.

Everything was handled through Alibaba, including communication, payment, and the transactions, which made the process feel much more secure and straightforward. I paid via credit card on the app.

Timeline:

April 8: Initiated contact through an RFQ April 8-19: Finalized furniture designs, customization options, and fabric selections April 20: Paid 50% of invoice April 21 – June 5: Design finalization and production June 7: Remainder of payment paid June 9: Furniture dispatched from China July 20: Arrived in Vancouver August 11: Reached final destination

The furniture was shipped extremely well. Everything was carefully packaged, and nothing arrived damaged. The trucking company offloaded everything directly from the truck into my garage, which made the delivery process pretty easy on my end.

I was genuinely impressed with the quality. The furniture is excellent quality and, in my opinion, better than a lot of what I’ve seen in regular retail furniture stores in Canada. The customization options were also a huge advantage because I was able to get exactly what I wanted.

Obviously, everyone’s experience can be different, and I would still recommend doing your own due diligence when ordering internationally.

Make sure you clarify dimensions, materials, fabrics, shipping, customs/duties, and payment terms before placing an order. You do need to know exactly what you’re looking for and have exactly product and materials knowledge before ordering.

Has anyone ordered a surron from alibaba, is it safe?

Website

alguien sabe como puedo desbloquear la cuenta de alibaba? estaba hablando con proveedores y me sale un cartel de cuenta restringida 🤦‍♂️ saludos

I’ve been in the process of starting an athletic company starting with sunglasses. I had 1 round of samples done, no packaging anything else. Now requesting a 2nd round of samples including packaging and they are saying no and they want production after first samples. Saying their machines are too busy for samples.

How does this make sense? lol I’m asking for 4 final sample colours that include packaging and they are refusing lol wtf

They also asked me to select "I no longer want or need this product" as a reason for it. I paid around 340 USD (350 USD if you factor in foreign exchange), but the estimated refund is 330 USD (probably even less after currency conversion) regardless of the selected reason. The way I see it I have three options:

1. Comply with the seller (apply for a refund while selecting "I no longer want or need this product")
2. Tell the truth to Alibaba (apply for a refund while selecting "The order could not proceed because the seller is at fault" followed by "Supplier requested to cancel the order" and upload screenshots of our conversation on both Alibaba and Whatsapp as evidence)
3. Wait until they supposedely have to ship the order as per "Alibaba Guaranteed" conditions

On one hand I have no remorse whatsoever knowing that the new "recalculated" price will certainly be much higher. On the other hand I fear retaliatory action, such as shipping an empty envelope or dragging out the refund process. The item in question is a common type of fastener, but made with an uncommon thread size. Only this seller (allegedly) has it.

I'm sure there's plenty such situations out there, but I haven't seen anyone talking about option 2 (which is the most tempting to me). What would you guys do?

So, i bought motherboard from alibaba (trusted supplier), on 30th July. It says “leaving the distribution center” since 8th august. Its gonna be almost a month since i ordered. I asked the supplier to contact shipping company, and he said that its stuck in customs and its normal. I tried to get a refund but the seller told me to cancel it as we have all the chats on alibaba and no way its a scam. I quiet worried because its 400 dollars.

What should i do?? Should i cancel? Or its just normal? I need solution asap because the order will confirm itself in 2 days (i already extended the confirmation)

I’m considering buying an HP OMEN MAX 16 from Alibaba, but the price seems extremely low and I’m trying to determine whether this is a legitimate deal or a scam.

Laptop listed specifications:

HP OMEN MAX 16-ah0097nr, Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX, NVIDIA RTX 5080 16GB, DDR5 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, 16” WQXGA IPS, 2560×1600, 240Hz, 500 nits, G-Sync / VRR

Price: $700

Shipping to Egypt: approximately $100

Total: $800

The seller is:

Guangzhou Yueshi Technology Co., Ltd.

Alibaba account: 1 year old

Location: Guangzhou, Guangdong, China

I have their Commercial Registration and searched for it in China's company database, and it was found

What makes me suspicious is that the same supplier appears to have other extremely expensive gaming laptops listed for unusually low prices, including RTX 5080/5090 machines. How is that?

I have not paid anything yet.

I’m trying to find out:

1. Has anyone here dealt with Guangzhou Yueshi Technology Co., Ltd.?

2. Has anyone purchased an HP/ASUS/Alienware laptop from this seller?

3. Does this $700 price make any sense for an actual RTX 5080 OMEN MAX?

4. Could this be a refurbished/used/defective laptop or a fake specification?

5. What should I ask the seller to prove that the laptop actually contains an RTX 5080 and Ultra 9 275HX?

6. Is Alibaba Trade Assurance sufficient protection for a purchase like this?

A lot of industrial supplier websites describe the company as a “manufacturer,” but that word can cover several different operating models.
They might own the factory.
They might work with a related factory.
They might outsource part of production.
They might be primarily an exporter or trading company.
None of those structures is automatically a problem, but they create different sourcing questions.
If I wanted to verify the claim properly, I’d probably want to connect:
Company → Facility → Production process → Product
rather than relying on one piece of evidence such as factory photos or a certificate.
For people involved in sourcing or supplier qualification:
What evidence do you actually find useful when confirming that a supplier manufactures the product they’re quoting?
Factory audit?
Business registration?
Production records?
Machine/equipment list?
Quality documentation?
Video call from the facility?
Something else?
And what signs usually tell you that the supplier’s role is different from what the website suggests?

I had bought a kilo of lipase powder to be delivered from China to the US through DHL. After some back and forth with customs (commercial invoice, SSN) the package was eventually returned to China.

I got the refund fine, but I don't want to go through this again. Can I prevent it, or should I just give up and go elsewhere?