Ordering from China has become increasingly popular over the last couple of years. A lot of people, and businesses, have found their way to platforms like Alibaba and AliExpress. The amount of products on these e-commerce platforms is huge, and everything is very affordable. But shopping on Chinese platforms can also be quite a challenge. There is so much on there that you can lose your way. And how do you even start to find what you are looking for? We will give you 5 smart tips for ordering from China. From browsing to shipping – we’ve got you covered.
Use the right keywords
If you are looking for certain items on a Chinese e-commerce platform, you should use very specific keywords. The translation isn’t always optimal, and the more keywords you use, the less likely it will become that you will find the item you are searching for. Also, don’t be afraid to experiment with keywords. Sometimes things get lost in translation. Getting creative will get you where you want to be quicker. Especially if you are online shopping from a country where English is not the main language.
Check the ratings
A lot of Chinese e-commerce platforms, like AliExpress and Alibaba, offer small shops and entrepreneurs a space for selling their items. You aren’t shopping at just one big store; you are actually visiting different stores on one platform. If you want to know for sure that you buy something from a reliable seller, it is best to check the ratings of that specific seller or shop. Many customers before you will have left a review about the service and the products. Use this to your advantage before you place an order. Low ratings are usually a sign to look elsewhere. Luckily, there are often many shops that sell the same items.
Track your package
Shipping items from China can take anywhere between a few days and a few months. If you order from a Chinese website, you should take this into consideration. So, order early if you want it by a certain date. If you like to stay updated on your package, you have a possibility of keeping tabs on it. You can track China Post on my-package-tracking.com if you have received a tracking number.
Compare prices
Although most Chinese suppliers on e-commerce platforms offer products for a much lower price than we could buy them in our local shops, it does pay off to compare prices. As mentioned earlier, there are different shops and sellers that offer the same products. But prices can vary a lot between different sellers. If you’ve found what you were looking for, use those keywords to search for more sellers with that exact same item. Then, compare prices, shipping expenses, and ratings to get the best possible deal.
Avoid certain products
There are some items that you can buy from China without hesitation. These are items like accessories, home decorations, kitchen supplies, and some clothing items. But there are items that you better avoid buying on a Chinese e-commerce platform. Children’s toys, cosmetics, and even electronics aren’t always up to the safety standards that we are used to. Children’s toys can be made with materials and paints that are deemed unsafe by our standards. Electronics can pose a fire risk if they are not made according to our safety regulations. And beauty products can contain certain toxic chemicals that have been banned in our country. If you want to buy any of these products online, make sure to do some thorough research on the materials used and inspections done before placing an order.
