Questions To Ask Alibaba Suppliers // The Best Questions to get the most out of a Supplier
Don’t know what to ask suppliers? What should you know from suppliers before you buy from them?
Navigating the bustling marketplace of Alibaba can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to finding the right suppliers for your business needs. With thousands of vendors offering a wide array of products, the key to a successful partnership lies not just in what you find, but in how you engage with potential suppliers. The questions you ask can make a significant difference, turning a simple inquiry into a fruitful long-term business relationship. Knowing the right questions to ask is crucial in vetting suppliers, understanding their capabilities, and ensuring that they align with your business's quality standards, ethical practices, and logistical requirements.
In this article, we will outline the best questions to ask suppliers on Alibaba – a comprehensive guide designed to equip you with the tools needed for effective communication and informed decision-making. Whether you are a small business owner making your first foray into international sourcing, or a seasoned buyer looking to optimize your procurement strategy, the ability to ask the right questions is a powerful skill.
We will delve into various categories of questions, ranging from those that help assess a supplier’s reliability and production capacity, to those concerning product quality, certification, and compliance. We will also cover questions related to pricing, minimum order quantities, sample policies, and shipping logistics – all critical components of a successful sourcing strategy.
Join us as we explore these essential questions, providing a roadmap for engaging with suppliers on Alibaba. This guide is not just about gathering information; it's about building a foundation of trust and clarity that paves the way for successful business partnerships in the dynamic world of global trade.
If you’re reading this, we assume you have found suppliers on Alibaba or another website like Global Sources and are now ready to contact them. By this point, you should have an extensive list of suppliers, and if you don’t or want to add more, check out our guide on Alibaba alternatives. The hard part comes once you have the suppliers: talking to them. When asking suppliers questions, you must be polite, professional, thorough, and assertive.
This guide is based on our previous post about avoiding scams and fraud and is part of our FBA sourcing series.
What to ask when you first message a supplier
So you’ve gone to Alibaba, one of the many alternatives, and found several suppliers. The next step is sending them a message introducing yourself, the product you are looking for, and your desired attributes. Be careful about which ones you are messaging and contacting factories as much as possible, not resellers. If you’re unsure, message them to gauge their response and get a feel for how your message is worded.
If you don’t know what to ask, here is a basic Alibaba supplier template you can use:
Subject: “I’m interested in [Product Name]” or “RFQ for [Product Name].”
Hello [Potential supplier] (Note: use their given name if you have it),
I’m (your name) the procurement manager for [company name], and I’m interested in receiving a quote for [product name]
If you manufacture [product name], please email me more information to [your email]
In your response, include:
Pictures of the product and a photo of [product detail] (note: the detail can be anything; make sure it forces them to use pictures taken for you and not found elsewhere)
The Minimum Order Quantity
The price at the MOQ and [some other amount] (Note: I find that getting two prices for different quantities lets you know their flexibility on a price and helps in negotiations later on)
[the price to make any changes or customization that you want] (be specific on this part, but you can skip it if you want a product as-is)
What is the shipping cost of sending a sample?
What are the shipping terms?
The Closest port (note the port should be close to where they claim they are located if you’re dealing with a factory. If it’s too far, be cautious)
Thanks. I look forward to hearing back from you!
[your name]
Procurement manager
[Company name]
Note: the salesperson answering these emails sees the same email templates all the time, so take time to personalize it and make it yours. This will help it stand out from the crowd. Another thing is that English is almost certainly not the first language of the person you are talking to. So, be sure to use clear and straightforward language while making sure you are getting your point across.
Additional Questions to ask
When first talking to a supplier, I try to keep the questions list short so I do not overwhelm them, but immediately after the first responses, I will have a second list of questions prepared to ask. The questions often vary based on the potential suppliers’ answers, and some relate specifically to the product.
Questions you should ask
What are the payment terms?
What payment options do you accept?
See our guide about paying a Chinese supplier: https://www.cosmosourcing.com/blog/what-is-the-best-way-to-pay-a-chinese-supplier
Do you have a Bill of Materials?
What are the shipping methods and cost terms?
Can I get a quote for the product to be FOB as well?
What is the production lead time?
Optional questions to ask
What are your sample terms?
Do you have a catalog?
This one is good to see if there is a factory or a sourcing agent.
How many years of experience do you have?
Can you add our logo to the product and/or the packaging?
What packaging options do you have?
Shipping Related Questions
Not factoring in shipping is one of the first-time buyers’ most common mistakes. Most people think that shipping is easy, but it’s not. The most common mistake is not knowing the intercom terms and forgetting to negotiate which terms to use. Check out our guide here if you do not know about the intercoms. The questions below are an excellent first step to get you started.
What are the shipping terms?
See our guide for shipping.
Can I get a quote for the item in both EXW and FOB?
Can you do DDP, and if so, can I get a quote?
Which port will this ship out of? Or What is the closest port?
What is the weight of the package?
What is the dimension of the package?
How many units per package?
Will you have individual unit packages and then package them in a master package?
The note usually, if your item comes packaged, they can bundle several packages into a large box.
Are you familiar with FBA fulfillment and preparing the packages so an Amazon Fulfillment center can receive them?
PRODUCT SPECIFIC QUESTIONS
Every product is different, so it’s impossible to come up with a list of your exact product, but there are many things you need to know about it from a supplier. Before you source, you need to know the attributes of the product you want. This can be the material it’s made of, the color, the production method, how it’s packaged, and more. So spend a little time brainstorming what you want and what questions you need to ask to get the product the way you want. It would help if you revised this questionnaire multiple times throughout the sourcing process, as the more you talk to the supplier, the more you learn and figure out or the more you want to know.
FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS TO ASK SUPPLIERS ON ALIBABA
Now that you’ve gotten an initial response from your supplier, you need to sort the ones you think are worth following up with. Before and during the negotiation phase, you should talk to half a dozen suppliers or more, depending on the product. While questions can vary depending on the product, here are a few to ask to use as a reference.
Do you understand what FBA is and what the packaging requirements are?
Have you ever exported to the USA (Or wherever you’re shipping to)? If so, how often?
Do you have the proper certification to ship to the USA?
Do you have SINOSURE or other trade insurance?
If I place an entire order, how quickly can you ship it?
What payment terms do you require for a new customer?
Can you refund my sample fee if I place an entire order?
What is the best-selling product made in your factory?
SUPPLIERS TEND TO BE YES-MEN
There are two things to note when you get your responses. First, the Chinese often say yes, regardless of whether they can. Second, they often give vague answers. So when you get a simple ‘yes,’ make sure you follow up to explain and get a feel for how knowledgeable they are. Chinese culture is very hesitant to say ‘No’ to save face, so you’ll almost always get “yes” or “we’ll try” or something similar as a response. “We’ll try” doesn’t necessarily mean they can’t, but they may make an effort without guarantees.
It’s perfectly fine for you to press them on vague answers to get more specific details. However, while it isn’t uncommon for them to give vague answers if they don’t know, there is also a fair chance they may not understand your question due to poor English. If you believe it’s the latter, rephrase the question simply. Then, keep pressing until you get firm, happy answers, or move on.
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If you start a new business, finding products and suppliers for your products is one of many things you need to handle. Our services are designed to handle every part of your business in China and Vietnam so you can focus on the rest of growing your own business.
We have helped clients from Fortune 500 companies, brick-and-mortar stores, FBA sellers, and brand-new businesses. So don’t hesitate to contact us and let us know how we can help you.