There is a Better Way to Source Products Than Scrolling Through Alibaba

No — and we'd never say that. Alibaba is a useful starting point for identifying product categories, getting a rough sense of pricing, and finding potential suppliers to investigate further. The problem is when businesses treat it as the end point rather than the beginning. We use it as one tool among many — not as a sourcing strategy.

A combination of our existing factory network built over years, trade fair contacts (Canton Fair, Vietnam Expo), industry databases, on-the-ground referrals in China and Vietnam, and targeted outreach to manufacturers in specific product categories. We also use import/export trade data to identify who's actually shipping what to where.

For some product categories, yes — particularly labour-intensive manufacturing like garments, furniture, and footwear. For highly automated or technical products, China often still wins on price and capability. We'll give you an honest comparison for your specific product rather than a blanket recommendation.

We stand behind our process. If a verified supplier we've introduced falls short — on quality, lead time, or communication — we work with you to resolve it, including finding alternatives if needed. We don't just hand you a contact and disappear.

We charge a flat project fee — not a commission on your order. Our service fee covers the full sourcing engagement. Any order management on repeat purchases is calculated on the factory invoice value only — not on freight, duty, or landed cost. After your first order, you own the factory relationship. You can reorder directly or continue to use us — your choice, no lock-in. Book a discovery call for a clear estimate upfront.

No. After your first production run, you own the factory relationship. You can reorder directly without using our services. If you'd prefer us to manage ongoing orders — QC, production monitoring, re-negotiation — we offer that on our standard hourly rate or order management fee. There's no lock-in either way.

Absolutely. A significant portion of our clients come to us with a supplier they've already found. We verify existing suppliers — legal registration, production capability, certifications, export history — and give you a clear recommendation. Send us the Alibaba listing, Made-in-China.com profile, or 1688.com link and we'll take it from there.

Yes. 1688.com is China's domestic wholesale platform and it requires a Chinese business entity to purchase from directly. We access 1688 suppliers on your behalf. If you've found a product on 1688, send us the link — we'll source it or find a verified equivalent.

Yes. Order consolidation is a service we offer for clients purchasing from multiple suppliers. We coordinate collection, consolidate into a single shipment, manage the documentation, and clear it through NZ Customs as one import. This is significantly more cost-effective than shipping individual small orders.

All three are supplier directories, not factories. Alibaba and Made-in-China.com are aimed at international buyers. 1688.com is China's domestic wholesale platform — often cheaper because it's not set up for export buyers, but harder to access without a Chinese entity. The factories behind the listings on all three platforms can be the same — what differs is price, accessibility, and the level of English-language support. We navigate all three on your behalf.

Most China factories start at 300–500 units for consumer goods. Vietnam apparel factories often work from 200 units. We negotiate MOQs downward for first-time orders — and we've helped clients start with runs as small as 100 units.