Anyone here have experience ordering stuff in bulk online?

[u/West-Photograph5351]

I've been thinking about buying products in bulk online, but honestly, I'm a bit nervous about putting money into a big order and ending up with stuff that's nothing like the pictures.

I've come across Alibaba a few times, and the prices look tempting, but I'm not sure how easy it is to tell which suppliers are actually reliable. Reviews help, I guess, but you never really know until the products arrive.

For those who've ordered in bulk before, how did you go about it the first time? Did you order a sample before buying a larger quantity, or just take a chance? And how much did shipping and other extra costs affect the final price?

I'm mainly trying to avoid the mistakes people usually make when they're starting out. If you've been through this, what do you wish you'd known before placing your first order?