Finding the right supplier to source goods from

A mini survey revealed that over half of the mistakes made by mini-importers were due to their choice of supplier. Their different experiences — fake products, overpricing, and contact selling scams — suggested one fact: “Finding the right supplier is a serious challenge in the importation business”.

In this article, we'll present a solution to the supplier challenges and outline how to do things differently; to find the right supplier for your business.

There are two ways mini-importers generally go about finding the right supplier. The first is personal research, and the other is contact buying.

Personal research is more rewarding but requires a lot of time and resources to find a great supplier. When you succeed, however, the benefits outweigh the efforts.

The other method, which we do not recommend, is acquiring a supplier's contact through a third party. Most times, this involves purchasing a supplier's contact details from online strangers, and more often than not, it leads to scams.

Why Deep Research?

The most demanding method is not necessarily the most effective way to accomplish a goal, but in this case, it is. Look around, and you'll find mini-importation experts who have invested time and resources into supplier research and now enjoy the benefits.

These four reasons are why you should prioritize deep research if you want to find the right supplier:

To avoid falling for scams: Your hard-earned money is better used in growing your business than paying that stranger for a list of contacts that either do not exist or are not verified. What you'll often get in the latter is a delivery of products that are unsellable. On the other hand, investing your time into deep research could set you up with the right suppliers for many years.

To develop a strong relationship with a supplier: Imagine being the 90th person to contact a supplier through a single referral. You would have lost the element of being a new customer, and the supplier may not put as much effort into sealing a deal with you due to the volume of referrals they’re experiencing. Personal research helps you build a new, direct relationship with a supplier, providing you the chance for a flexible approach to deals.

To personally vet suppliers: Supplier contact lists are usually based on other people’s assessments that may not align with yours. With personal research, you’ll verify each supplier thoroughly based on your own assessment.

To reduce costs: Paying for supplier contacts does not guarantee competitive prices and will limit you to one or two suppliers. By researching personally, you can compare multiple suppliers and negotiate with each one to find the best deal that saves you money.

Finding the Right Supplier Using Research

Finding the right supplier isn’t just about shopping from the first supplier that pops up on Alibaba or 1688. It takes careful research, patience, and testing. The last thing you want is to invest in a bulk order, only to realize too late that the quality is poor or the supplier is unreliable.

Here’s how you can go about it the smart way:

1. Compare Product Pricing

It’s tempting to go for the lowest price, especially when you’re working with a budget. But here’s the truth: Cheap doesn’t always mean a good deal. Some suppliers cut costs by using subpar materials, offering smaller product sizes, or skipping essential quality checks.

Instead of fixating on the cheapest option, compare prices across multiple suppliers on sourcing platforms like 1688 and Alibaba. If one supplier’s price is drastically lower than the average, that’s a red flag. Look for a fair price that aligns with quality.

2. Check the Materials Used

You wouldn’t buy a product without knowing what it’s made of, right? The same logic applies when sourcing from suppliers. Many business owners make the mistake of assuming all similar-looking products are the same, but the materials used can make or break your product’s durability and appeal.

Dig into the product description and verify the materials. If a supplier doesn’t clearly state this in the product description, ask them directly. Whether you’re dealing with fabrics, metals, plastics, or electronics, knowing the material quality helps you avoid selling substandard products to your customers.

3. Chat with the Supplier

Once you’ve shortlisted potential suppliers, it’s time to have a conversation. Don’t just rely on product listings; talk to them. A trustworthy supplier will be responsive and willing to answer your questions.

Some key questions to ask:

Return Policy – What happens if you receive defective items?
Delay Policy – How do they handle order delays?
MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity) – What’s the smallest quantity you can order?
Customization Options – Can they modify the product to meet your brand’s needs?

A supplier who dodges these questions or is vague in their responses might not be reliable. Pay attention to how they communicate — a good supplier values clear and professional interactions.

4. Check Reviews

A supplier may have beautiful product images, but reviews tell the real story. Take a look at the number of reviews and read customer feedback. What does it say?

Higher number of reviews = More reliable supplier. If a supplier has hundreds or thousands of reviews, it’s a sign they’ve been in business for a while and have worked with many buyers.

Higher positive reviews = Higher trust. Look for suppliers with consistently good ratings. A few bad reviews are normal, but if you notice a pattern of complaints about poor quality or delays, think twice before proceeding.

5. Do Test Orders

This is one of the most important steps. Never place a bulk order without testing first.

Order a small batch from your top supplier options. This lets you evaluate:

Product quality – Does it match the description?
Supplier communication – Were they responsive and professional?
Shipping speed – Did they meet the promised delivery time?

The way a supplier handles small orders says a lot about how they’ll handle larger ones. If they mess up a test order, imagine what could go wrong with a bulk purchase.

Conclusion

Finding a great supplier takes time, but it’s worth the effort. Do your research, ask the right questions, and order test batches before committing to a new supplier. A good supplier can make your business thrive, while a bad one can cost you money, time, and customer trust. Take control of the process, and do not leave it to chance.