About Us :
Built From Experience, Not Just Theory
We started as e-commerce sellers. We became sourcing experts—because we had to.
Contact Us :
- Plieņciema iela 35 Mārupe, Mārupes pagasts Mārupes novads, LV-2167, Latvia
Why We Switched from Alibaba to 1688 — A Real-World Sourcing Experience
When we started our journey in sourcing from China, we used Alibaba, like most people do. It looked like the easiest option for B2B procurement — the site was in English, supplier listings looked professional, and there was a resolution center in case something went wrong.
What We Thought Alibaba Was
At first, we believed that Alibaba was the “safe” way to source from China. It had English-speaking suppliers, well-designed product pages, and the promise of buyer protection. We assumed the dispute resolution center would be a strong backup if there were any issues.
But here’s the reality we faced:
- The prices were consistently high — we later discovered many suppliers weren’t manufacturers, but trading companies adding a markup.
- The support system didn’t work well — even in the dispute process, the language barrier made communication frustrating.
- Many times, we were not understood, even when clearly explaining problems with quality or shipping.
We stayed with Alibaba longer than we should have because we thought its support system would be enough. But we eventually had to accept the truth: it wasn’t built for reliable, long-term procurement — especially if you want real control over your supply chain.
What Changed with 1688
When we started exploring 1688.com, it became obvious very quickly that this was where real Chinese manufacturers operate. It’s Alibaba’s domestic platform, and it’s used inside China by local businesses — not built for foreigners.
The difference was massive:
- Prices were much lower — often 20–50% cheaper
- We found factories instead of resellers
- The product selection was much broader and deeper
- We could finally do true B2B sourcing at factory level
How We Made It Work — With Local Support
That’s where our Chinese agent team came in. Once we had a team on the ground, fluent in Mandarin and experienced in procurement and supply chain management, everything changed.
Now we handle the entire process through our team:
- Sourcing and verifying real manufacturers
- Negotiating prices and MOQ terms
- Consolidating orders across multiple suppliers
- Performing quality control before shipment
- Managing full logistics from China to Europe
Having people who understand the “inside kitchen” of how factories operate in China has made a huge difference. They know what to look for, how to spot red flags, and how to ensure suppliers actually deliver what they promise.
Alibaba vs 1688 — From Our Perspective
Feature |
Alibaba |
1688.com (with agent) |
| Language | English | Chinese (requires local team) |
| Supplier Access | Mostly trading companies | Direct access to manufacturers |
| Pricing | Higher, marked-up | Factory-level pricing |
| Platform Support | Exists but poor communication | Fully managed by our Chinese team |
| Best Use Case | Small buyers or beginners | Serious B2B procurement and wholesale |
The Result: Better Prices, Better Products, Better Control
Since moving to 1688, we’ve cut procurement costs, improved product quality, and gained real control over every stage of the sourcing process. The combination of a powerful platform like 1688 and a reliable local team has helped us grow and deliver much better results for our clients.
We’re not saying Alibaba is useless — it’s a decent entry point for someone new to importing. But if you’re serious about long-term B2B trade, wholesale buying, or scaling your private label brand, it’s just not enough.
Final Thoughts
Sourcing from China isn’t just about finding a supplier — it’s about finding the right platform, building strong relationships, and managing the logistics and procurement process properly. For us, 1688 combined with an experienced local team has been the best solution by far.
That’s exactly what we offer through Cargosy — a complete sourcing and logistics solution from China to the EU. We’ve already made the mistakes so you don’t have to. If you’re ready to upgrade your sourcing strategy and get better results, we’re here to help.