As an Amazon seller, it can be hard to know which questions to ask Alibaba suppliers – and even harder to know which ones are the most important. In fact, many Amazon sellers make the mistake of not asking enough questions before deciding to work with a supplier. This can lead to problems down the road.
In this article, we will cover 12 questions you need to ask your Alibaba supplier before deciding to work with them. These questions will help you get a better understanding of your supplier, their business practices, and their ability to meet your needs.
Let’s dive in!
Use this outline to skip to any section of this page:
- What is your company’s history and experience in the industry and on Alibaba?
- Are you a manufacturer or a trading company on Alibaba?
- What products do you offer and what are your minimum order quantities (MOQ)?
- Can you provide me with a product sample before I place an order?
- What are your payment terms and conditions (T/T, L/C, etc)?
- What is your delivery time for orders of different quantities?
- How do you guarantee the quality of your products here on Alibaba?
- What products do you offer and what are your minimum order quantities (MOQ)?
- What is your lead time for Alibaba orders and do you offer rush shipping services if needed?
- Do you have any quality control procedures in place to ensure the quality of your products meets my standards?
- Are your prices competitive and can I receive a discount if I place a large order?”
- How will you handle shipping damages or defects on products received from your company?
What is your company’s history and experience in the industry here on Alibaba?
You want to make sure that you are working with a company that has a solid track record and is experienced in the industry. This will give you peace of mind knowing that they are able to deliver on their promises.
Are you a manufacturer or a trading company on Alibaba?
It’s important to know whether you are dealing with a manufacturer or trading company because it will affect the price and quality of the products. Manufacturers typically have lower prices but may have longer lead times. Trading companies usually have higher prices but can often get products to you faster.
What products do you offer and what are your minimum order quantities (MOQ)?
Make sure that the supplier offers the products that you are looking for and that their minimum order quantities (MOQ) are realistic for your business. You don’t want to be stuck with hundreds of products that you can’t sell.
Can you provide me with a product sample before I place an order?
It’s always a good idea to request a sample before placing an order. This will allow you to check the quality of the product and make sure it meets your standards.
What are your payment terms and conditions?
Before doing business with a supplier, you should always understand their payment terms and conditions. This will help avoid any misunderstandings or delays down the road.
What is your delivery time for orders of different quantities?
When ordering from a supplier, it’s important to ask what their delivery time is for orders of different quantities. This will help you plan your order in a way that ensures you receive your products in a timely manner.
Some suppliers offer expedited shipping for an additional cost, which may be worth considering if you need your products quickly. Others may have shorter delivery times for larger orders, so it’s important to consider the quantity of products you need when planning your order.
In some cases, it may be more efficient to order smaller quantities more often, rather than wait for a larger order that may take longer to arrive. By taking these factors into account, you can ensure that you receive your products in a timely manner and avoid any delays.
How do you guarantee the quality of your products on Alibaba?
This is an important question to ask because you want to be sure that you are receiving a quality product that meets your standards. A good supplier will have quality control procedures in place to ensure that their products meet the buyer’s expectations.
What products do you offer and what are your minimum order quantities (MOQ)?
You will want to know what kinds of products the supplier offers as well as their minimum order requirements. This information will help you determine if the supplier is a good fit for your needs.
What is your lead time for Alibaba orders and do you offer rush shipping services if needed?
As an Amazon seller, it’s important to be aware of how long it will take for your orders to be fulfilled. Depending on the supplier, fulfillment times can range from a few days to a couple of weeks. If you’re in need of the products urgently, it’s important to check if the supplier offers rush shipping.
Many suppliers do offer this service for an additional fee. However, it’s important to note that rushing an order can sometimes result in lower quality products. As such, it’s important to weigh the cost and benefits of rush shipping before making a decision.
Do you have any quality control procedures in place to ensure the quality of your products meets my standards?
When you are sourcing products from a supplier, one of the most important things to consider is their quality control procedures. This is especially true if you are selling on Amazon, where customers expect to receive high-quality items.
By asking about a supplier’s quality control procedures, you can get a good sense of whether or not they are capable of providing a quality product. The right supplier should have procedures in place to ensure that each product meets their high standards.
They should also have a process for dealing with any defects or problems that arise. By taking the time to ask about a supplier’s quality control procedures, you can be sure that you are getting a product that meets your own high standards.
Are your prices competitive and can I receive a discount if I place a large order?
You will want to know if the supplier’s prices are competitive and if they offer discounts for large orders. This information will help you negotiate the best possible price for your order.
How will you handle shipping damages or defects on products received from your company?
When it comes to damages or defects on products received from suppliers, don’t forget to ask them how they will handle the situation. Some companies may have a policy where they will send a new product to the customer, while others may require the customer to send the product back to them. It’s also important to ask if the company will cover the cost of shipping in either case.
If you’re planning on ordering a large quantity of products from a supplier, it’s also important to ask about their returns policy. Some suppliers may only allow customers to return products if they are unopened, while others may allow it for any reason. You need to know these policies so that you can plan accordingly.
In some cases, damages or defects on products received from suppliers can be resolved amicably without any problems. However, there may be times when a supplier is unwilling to work with the customer or when the issue is not resolved to the customer’s satisfaction. This is where trust, communication and relationship comes into play.
Final thoughts on questions to ask Alibaba suppliers
Asking these questions upfront will help ensure that you find a qualified and reliable supplier on Alibaba. By taking the time to vet potential suppliers, you can avoid any problems down the road and focus on growing your business.
