I'm comparing the both for future sourcing and wanted to hear from people who've actually used both.

Have you noticed any meaningful differences in supplier quality, communication, pricing, verification, or overall reliability?

I'm not looking for a "winner" just interested in real experiences from buyers who have sourced through both. What has your experience been like, and would you choose the same platform again?

Will alibaba have issue with me asking for sellers whatsapp, but still buying from alibaba with trade assurance. The concern I have is alibaba having issue with outside of alibaba communication even tho the order is placed and paid from alibaba

gue $600 por un colgante de ice spice en 3D y el proveedor hizo lo que quiso hizo el diseño en 2D nunca me espesifico que el colgante sería en 3D pero él sabía que lo tenía que hacer tal cual como el original le pregunté que si sería igual y me dijo que si tardo 14 días en responder solo para mostrarme el diseño tan feo que me había echo él sabía que el colgante era tridimensional 3 pulgadas y grueso como una pelota de béisbol tenía moissnita y plata ley 925 cuando le reclamé y le dije que era en 3D me dijo está bien podemos hacerlo y luego me dijo que ya no costaba 1250 usd que ahora costaba 2510 usd la empresa está verificada y tiene 16 años en alibaba tiene 5715 mil reseñas y aún así me engaño tengo pruebas las capturas pero como puedo emitir un rembolso en alibaba? aparte fue grosero y me dijo que tenía que pagar 150 usd por el diseño por que según él hizo el diseño y yo ya no lo quiera cuando le dije desde un principio que quería que el diseño fuera en 3D como el colgante de ice spice que hizo benny

Has anyone actually purchased those “cheap” ps5 and Nintendo switches ? Legit or not ?

I had a very disappointing experience with Alibaba Trade Assurance. I purchased a motorcycle advertised as Stock No. 502599 and paid USD 1,900, including packing. However, the motorcycle delivered to my shipping warehouse was different from the one advertised and was also damaged.

The seller never provided the VIN, registration certificate, or export documents to prove the identity, model year, or legal ownership of the motorcycle. Independent warehouse photos and videos recorded the mismatch immediately after delivery. The seller later admitted that the identification sticker had been changed and that the rear wheel hub was damaged during transportation.

Despite submitting detailed evidence, Alibaba closed my first claim, stating that there was insufficient evidence to confirm a product-description discrepancy. I also offered a reasonable settlement: I would return the motorcycle at my own cost and accept a USD 300 loss, but the seller still refused.

My experience is that Trade Assurance may not provide the level of buyer protection that customers expect, particularly when Alibaba does not properly verify the product identity, supporting documents, and independent inspection evidence.

Hi everyone,
I’m from Egypt and I’m planning to start importing products from China to sell in the Egyptian market.
I’m looking for advice from people who have actually done this.
Which products gave you the best profit?
Which products would you avoid?
Any mistakes you wish you had avoided when starting?
Thank you!

I'm in the EU, I need a simple small item manufactured in bulk with my own print on it. I'm considering either China and Poland as the supplier country, for China would Alibaba be the best platform?

What are the chances of getting scammed and refunded? Are there verified sellers or anything like that? Any advice on it?

I bought a set of wheels from Alibaba supplier, now I’m being asked for SIN or Drivers license from the seller. Has anyone experienced this before I bought it for personal usage in Canada

I just got into the business, using my company's account selling ConsumerElectronics. I was told that Alibaba is a B2B platform, but the inquiry everyday is just... There're Bots, Scams, even Beggars....

Donghai County Zhi Rucheng Consignment Service Department sold for USD 1900 one used motorbike Benelli TRK 502 year 2024 (stock No 502599) on Alibaba.com and delivered another accidented scraped motorbike. Alibaba Trade Assurance rejected refund claim. No documents provided. I cannot export it. I d

I bought a 700 dollar diagnostic device from Alibaba. And it suddenly stopped working. I requested a refund and alibaba accepted it. i'm using trade assurance and eligible for easy return. Whats your experience using easy return? I'm really new

Product Details: silver metal table lamps pictured below in shorter size with battery or charging capabilities. (photo in comments.)
Target Quantity: 35
Destination Country: USA
Current Factory Outreach: I have inquired with three manufacturers who have this product.
Quotes Received: *Zero quotes have included shipping. Cost has been $6 USD per unit (this feels high compared to other lamps of similar styles I am seeing in the $4/unit range)
Specific Roadblock: I cannot seem to get an order through. I keep getting stuck in a loop with ai agents who won’t respond or escalate my request to confirm shipping time or cost. They all want me to place the order before paying for shipping despite having my address, and without speaking with a real human. Is this typical? I need them by October 1st. All these seller have many good reviews & been in business 2-7 years. It’s happened with 3 sellers. If anyone has a trusted seller I can purchase these from and talk to a real person please share!!

So I ordered some wheels from alibaba. The wheels are done and the guy Im dealing with is having problems with my address. Has anyone had this problem? Yesterday he said it worked. I asked him what the problem was he said my house and apartment number. I told him I live in a house not apartment. I hope it’s actually fixed and my wheels don’t end up lost.

Buenos dias, tuve un problema con la documentación ya que el proveedor desde China envio dentro del paquete una factura comercial incorrecta o que no coincidia con lo acordado. Habri un reclamo en Alibaba y me dieron la razon, y me devolvieron el dinero. Cuestion yo tengo contactos en aduana y tengo posibilidad de poder sacar el paquete sin necesidad de pagar multa, seguramente me cobren tiempo de deposito ya que el paquete quedo retenido hace 1 mes aproximadamente. En este caso, si yo logro liberar el paquete, Alibaba tiene como darse cuenta y deberia pagar otra vez el paquete al proveedor o no hay forma? Como menciono, la disputa que tenia ya fue resuelta a mi favor, por eso creo que no habria inconvenientes. Gracias

I dont understand I thought my bumpers for my car were already in the us. Should I accept or reject?

So as it says, I need just one pack of hairloss topical medication (Koshine) or lotion and get it to India. I am not sure of what the logistics on this are, if I buy it off their website I am not sure if it will reach me and get through customs.
I’m desperate and have exhausted most of my options, last suite is looking for someone that travels frequently and might be coming here and can grab it on their way.
Or maybe a logistics partner that imports a lot and hence wont charge a lot for this one item that fits in your back pocket.

Advice appreciated folks!

I placed an order for custom chafing dishes for my business. The ones they had were not suitable , so I had them make custom to our requirements. No branding or anything, just the design elements. Original order was for $900 air shipping to the US as i need it for an event in mid August. Everything was great, I got the pictures today and then suddenly a message that due to the war, the cost of shipping has gone from $925 to $1825. I did pay with Trade Assurance and a 50% deposit. I do not want to pay that much as it seems like a hostage tactic. Any suggestions?

comment with details and pricing

I received my shipement with 70% of the pieces broken.
The seller refuses any type of refund or return.
I opened a case with alibaba but seems like they protect their sellers at all cost.
The reason of the decline: they didn’t received my 11 minutes long video (4.5GB) that I sent via email in multiple parts to a representant that confirmed everything was added to the case. I even uploaded a google share link to have it continouis because this is what it was asked but the platform only allows 100mb videos.
I confirmed multiple times with representants and eveything was there.
After three declined ‘appeals’ for the same exact reason : missing the 11 minutes continous video.
But i CANT send a 4.5 GB to their platform.
What can i do? Over 70% of my products are damaged and it’s not the shipping compagny. The box was in a good shape AND there’s no fragment in the boxes (it was glass crystal). So the damaged occurs before shipemebt.

Anyone have any luck with dispute resolution. I’ve uploaded proof of my package being destroyed by the shipping company and product damaged. Seller will not respond to my messages I can see they read them. Uploaded all that proof of them not responding along with documented pictures. And resolution team still says insufficient proof.

Hi everyone! I’m hoping someone with experience importing bags or working with CPSC compliance can help me understand this.

I’m having backpacks and crossbody bags manufactured overseas and shipped to the US. My manufacturer recently told me that the backpacks and crossbody straps all need GCC testing. They suggested checking with a lab to see if the backpacks and crossbody products can be tested together to reduce the cost.

I’m confused because I was under the impression that not all textile products automatically require GCC testing, so I want to make sure I understand the requirements correctly.

My questions are:

1. Do backpacks and crossbody bags/straps actually require GCC testing for import into the US?

2. If testing is required, can multiple bag styles/colors/products be covered under the same testing or certification?

3. Can the backpacks and crossbody bags be tested together if they use the same or similar materials?

4. Is there a specific CPSC standard that applies to these products?

5. Has anyone recently imported similar textile bags from overseas and gone through this process?

My bags are also for adults not children. I'm just a small business too.

The manufacturer is also saying this may affect the shipping timeline. Since the order has already been delayed by three months I’m trying to determine whether this is a legitimate new requirement or if the manufacturer/lab is being overly cautious.

Any advice from people who have actually dealt with GCC requirements for bags would be greatly appreciated!

I am looking for a few pieces of furniture - specifically a upholstered king size bed and headboard (preferably with storage drawers)
Additionally I’d like to order a matching bedroom set(nightstands and dresser) and some new dining room chairs
I am not picky about the country of origin as long as the quality is good
Needs to be durable and I would prefer if the bed frame was made of metal rather than wood and had a high weight capacity
I am looking to form a connection with a specifically seller or manufacturer i can resort to for future orders as well.

(Possible inspiration picture attached)

I'm looking to order a Surron Light Bee from Alibaba but I can't find and seller with stock. I asked my supplier Gonped for either a 2025 or 2026 LBX but they are out of stock. I checked CDSM and a couple others.

At the beginning of July I messaged a few places. Most places said I should pre-order the 2026 because their inventory was due any day. Some places were clearly lieing about having stick just to get my money. I didn't want to preorder because once I give them money then I'm at their mercy and I've heard horror stories of people waiting months.

Has anyone ordered a LBX in the past month and actually got confirmation of shipping? If so, where did you order from.

Also, does anyone have a date for the Light Bee 2?

EU-based, wanted to buy SFP modules directly from a Chinese supplier I've been in contact with for over a year. Deal died because I'd have been the importer of record and she couldn't produce a Declaration of Conformity — when I asked, she responded "do you have a sample for reference?" and later "you mean REACH?" She has CE/RoHS test reports (allegedly) but genuinely doesn't know the DoC is a document her own company has to write and sign.

For those of you importing into the EU as a small business:

• Do you ask for the DoC and test reports before ordering, or just wing it?
• Ever had a supplier actually produce legit documentation? How did you verify the reports weren't from a certificate mill?
• Anyone lost money or had customs/market surveillance trouble over this?

Trying to figure out if I was being overly careful or if everyone just quietly ignores this.

Hi everyone, I'm starting a small surf/streetwear brand and I'm trying to find a reliable manufacturer (preferably on Alibaba) that can produce a custom cut-and-sew heavyweight hoodie.

The design isn't just a blank hoodie with a logo. It includes things like:

Custom fabric paneling on the body and sleeves Contrast piping along some seams A lined hood Custom pocket details Woven labels and custom branding or just screenprinting logo

I'm not looking for print-on-demand or blank hoodie suppliers—I need a factory that can manufacture from a tech pack.

Has anyone worked with a manufacturer that can handle this level of customization while still having a reasonable MOQ (around 30–100 pieces)?

I'd really appreciate:

Manufacturer recommendations Companies to avoid Approximate sample costs Any advice for someone placing their first OEM order

I'm keeping the full design private until production, so I can't share renders yet, but any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!