Make a better shortlist
before you spend.

Choose the product by its details

Two photos can look almost identical while the selected options are different. Compare dimensions, material descriptions, included pieces and the seller’s actual variant names. A low headline price may refer to the least expensive option.

For clothing, write down the measurements you need before browsing. For accessories, check capacity and dimensions. For electronics, ask about compatibility and the limits of inspection before treating a low price as good value.

Buying from 1688: compare the order you will actually place

Build a supplier shortlist around the same specification and the quantity you actually want. If a seller’s lowest price requires ten pieces and you need two, compare the applicable two-piece offer, including China delivery, rather than the headline tier.

Ask whether mixed sizes or colours count toward the minimum quantity. For a larger order, discuss a sample and the inspection needed before repeating the purchase. Record the seller’s return terms alongside its price so a cheaper offer does not conceal a less suitable purchase.

Read the 1688 introduction and four essential buying checks, including seller credit, Chengxintong membership and return-delivery responsibility.

Choosing a seller: look for evidence about this item

Look for recent feedback that discusses the product you are considering. A high order count elsewhere in the store says little about a new listing. Read what buyers say about sizing, consistency and how a problem was handled.

A helpful question is narrow enough to answer: “Is the length measured with the garment laid flat?” is more useful than “Is it good?” If essential details stay unclear, keep looking.

How to choose a spreadsheet site you can check

A useful product directory leads you to the original listing and makes its categories easy to browse. It should also explain the steps after discovery, identify the limits of its information and distinguish an example image from evidence of your order.

Test a few links. Read a guide. Look for a clear site role and visible corrections. A long list, a claim of “verified sellers” or an impressive product count is not a substitute for those checks.

Choose the agent for the order you need

Purchasing on your behalf, receiving goods and arranging onward shipment are common buying-agent functions. Compare the services you will actually use: supported source sites, payment options, inspection limits, return handling and routes to your destination.

Kakobuy’s public tutorial is useful because it shows the order, warehouse and parcel stages in one workflow. Its fee and inspection explanations also let you ask more specific questions before committing.

If a local seller can deliver the same item with simpler returns, compare that option too. If an agent cannot ship your product or clearly explain the charges, another purchasing route may suit the order better.

Shopping precautions that save a second decision

• Do not build a large first order around an untested size. Establish fit before repeating it.
• Do not spend the entire budget on products. Leave room for the parcel and known extra charges.
• Do not assume a previous buyer’s QC belongs to your item. Review your own warehouse photos.
• Do not ship while a mismatch is unresolved. Ask what can be changed while the item is still in the warehouse.
• Do not share private account details publicly. Use the relevant order or parcel support record.