Alibaba took the world by storm. When it launched in China back in 1999, no one would have thought that it will become the world’s number one online hub for sellers and wholesale buyers. Not only that, it is now the biggest online site where you can easily find suppliers for white label, private label, and even dropshipping business models.
Now, even if it is the biggest, it does not mean that it is always the best for all sellers and buyers. There are some things that you, as a buyer, may not like.
For one, Alibaba is operating to advance its Chinese interests. People in western countries cannot become shareholders of the company, so little things will be done to make it better for businessmen in the west.
Alibaba also has a lot of complaints in the US, and the company was rated as F by the better Business Bureau. With that said, there are other alternatives you can use if Alibaba is not your preferred site.
17 Best Alibaba Alternatives To Find Cheap Products
Let's take a look at 17 of the best alternatives to Alibaba where you can find suppliers for your brick-and-mortar or online store.
1. Chinabrands
This is one of the leading competitors of Alibaba. You will also see thousands of products in all sorts of niches. The sellers here offer their products in wholesale, and it supports dropshippers and wholesale buyers.
Chinabrands is highly active in marketing their website, so it should not come as a surprise to you if you find yourself competing against this supplier itself. What you can do is to market your site better than Chinabrands, and then select a specific niche so your customers can easily find the product they are looking for on your website.
Pros:
- Large selection of goods
- No subscription fee
- Dropshipping is supported by sellers
Cons:
- Not all shipping costs of returns are handled by Chinabrands
- The items sold here have different return timeframes
- You have to prove that the item is damaged before a refund is granted
To be able to buy in Chinabrands, you have to register for membership. The sellers here support buyers globally, and no subscription is required to use it for business.
2. DHGate
DHGate has been in business for 15 years. It is one of the pioneers of putting up a website where suppliers and wholesale buyers can come together and do business. Here, you will find all sorts of products that you are looking for, and you will spend less as you buy more products.
DHGate is excellent for those who want to buy in bulk because the system automatically reduces the price according to the number of products you buy. You no longer have to contact the seller to get a discount.
Pros:
- Has buyer protection
- Has discounted prices for bulk orders
- Has retail and wholesale prices
- Ships globally
Cons:
- The discounts are not significantly high
- The buyer has to pay the return shipping to get a refund
DHGate has an app where you can easily buy products on your mobile phone. You will get more discount if you buy with this app instead of the website.
Related: 7 Best AliExpress Alternatives For Dropshipping And The Best Deals
3. HKTDC
This is a site where you can find more than 130,000 suppliers. Based in Hong Kong, HKTDC has been around for a while, and its goal is to make wholesalers and buyers meet online and do business together.
HKTDC is not exactly an online market place. You cannot make purchases here. Instead, you have to contact the seller and then negotiate the price of the item and the shipping costs. You can also ask the seller to send you a sample of the product if you want to.
Pros:
- Large list of suppliers
- Many products to choose from
- You can do white label and private label
- High-quality goods from manufacturers
Cons:
- No support for dropshipping
- No buyer protection policy; deal with a supplier at your own risk
- Large minimum order requirement
After contacting the supplier, you will receive the answers to your inquiry via email, and this is the main mode of your communication with the manufacturer.
4. Made-in-China
Like HKTDC, this is a hub for suppliers where you can buy in bulk and do white label or private label. You cannot buy directly from this site, and this is best used by those who are ready to keep a large inventory for their businesses.
This is a great alternative to Alibaba because you will also find machinery and industrial goods here. This is also an excellent place for those who are selling car parts or plumbing parts like valves, which you cannot buy cheap in bulk in the west.
Pros:
- Really low prices
- Thousands of products are listed
Cons:
- No buying option
- Suppliers have a minimum order requirement
- No buyer protection
To be able to take full advantage of the site, you must first contact the supplier and ask for a sample. If you are satisfied, then you can move forward and order in bulk.
5. Light in the Box
If you are looking for retail purchase, then this is one of the best alternatives to Alibaba. LightintheBox is a retail site where you can buy clothing, shoes, electronics, gadgets, toys, and so much more. There are no heavy-duty equipment or machinery here, as the site was made for consumers.
One good thing about this marketplace is that buyers do not need to meet minimum order requirements. Also, there is always a flash sale where you can grab items for really low prices.
Pros:
- Lots of sale items
- Has thousands of products and suppliers
- You can buy in retail
- Buyer protection is offered
- Lots of payment options
- Ships internationally
Cons:
- No discounts for large orders
- Wholesale is offered on a case to case basis only
- If you want to buy wholesale, you have to contact the wholesale team and send them an email. If the product you are looking for is available, you can negotiate the price.
Related: 11 Best Alternatives To Shopify That You Could Try
6. Banggood
Banggood is one of those businesses that will take Jack Ma and Alibaba head-on. It is one of the biggest online marketplaces in China, and there are so many items that you can buy for cheap.
On this site, you will find electronics, kitchen appliances, garden supplies, toys, and so much more. You can even buy mobile phones here at low prices, and then sell them with high profit margins on your site.
Pros:
- Lots of items for sale
- Retail is supported
- Dropshipping is supported
- More than 20 payment options are available
- Has buyer protection
Cons:
- Refund time frame is too short at four days after you received the item
- Shipping takes too long and reaches 120 days
With Banggood, you need to practice patience. The processing time is separate from the shipping time, so give it at least 60 days before you get your items.
7. Yaaku
Yaaku’s specialty is clothing. This is a site where you can find all kinds of clothing for women, men, kids, and babies. Examples of these are dresses, underwear, shoes, sports clothing, coats, and many more. With Yaaku, you can also do dropshipping because the suppliers here offer their products on retail.
You can buy with wholesale pricing from the sellers here. To do this, you have to contact the seller and negotiate a price if you can. The usual standard of Yaaku to consider your purchase wholesale is $1,000.
Pros:
- Lots of clothing type to choose from
- Has four major shipping partners
- Ships internationally
Cons:
- The time frame for refund is short at seven days from the date of purchase
- Goods are little high in cost, giving you small profit margin
There is no minimum purchase requirement here. Also, it has already added more items apart from clothing, such as wristwatches, belts, hats, and other accessories
8. Chinavasion
It sounds like it is invading China, and it surely is going to do that because Chinavasion is a huge company that has thousands of suppliers and products. Here, you can buy clothes, electronics, home and garden tools, and apparel and jewelry, and so much more.
Chinavasion supports dropshipping, and it offers lots of flash sale items to those who do not want to buy in retail. There is a link called Hot Sale at the top of the home page, and this is where you have to go if you want to buy in bulk.
Pros:
- Thousands of various products
- Has a VIP program
- Supports dropshipping
- Offers wholesale price
- Lots of items on sale
- Ships to all countries
Cons:
- You need to contact the company to get wholesale prices
- Cheap shipping can take 30 days
With Chinavasion, you can buy single orders or orders up to a maximum of 200 pieces. If you buy more than that, you have to contact the company.
Related: 11 Best Online Selling Websites Like eBay (eBay Alternatives)
9. DealExtreme (DX)
If you have never heard of DX before, then you are in for a surprise. This company has been around or 14 years, and it keeps on growing. The site offers thousands of products in different niches, and you can find things like electrical tools, hobby items, sports, and so much more.
Sometimes, DX puts up a sale that is exclusive for business people. If you get a chance to see this sale, you can grab items for really low prices, and then sell them for huge profits.
Pros:
- Lots of flash sale offered
- Thousands of modern products to choose from
- More than ten payment options available
- Has hundreds of product categories
Cons:
- The return process is long; you need to contact DX first before you can return a bad item
- Payment confirmation can take three days
With DX, you can expect your package within 14 days. It offers regular and expedited shipping, so choose the one that is appropriate.
10. TinyDeals
Although it is called TinyDeals, there are big deals going on here. This company is based in Hong Kong, and it supports many Chinese wholesale suppliers and manufacturers. The site offers products like wristwatches, electronics, toys, wearable tech, and so much more.
The site is a great alternative to Alibaba because of the low prices of the goods, but it is best used only by wholesalers.
Pros:
- Lots of payment options
- Low prices
- Thousands of items and merchants
- Free shipping on all products
Cons:
- Not great for dropshipping
- Shipping takes a while because it is free
One great thing about TinyDeals is that if you reported a bad product within 30 days, you do not have to pay for the return shipping. You will also get a refund if you reported it within that time frame.
11. eWorldTrade
eWorldTrade is a global business-to-business website. What this means is that its main customers are businessmen who need supplies for their stores. There are ten main product categories here, and the one thing that makes it different is that there is a metallurgy and minerals category.
You cannot buy on retail here, and you cannot see the prices of the products. You need to register for an account before you can buy, and you need to contact the seller to know the price and the minimum order requirements.
Pros:
- The site has a huge volume of products from various manufacturers
- The products are manufactured just for you
Cons:
- No prices are shown on the site
- The purchases must be on wholesale terms only
If you will use eWorldTrade, be prepared to wait at least 50 days before the seller can manufacture your product. Only then will the items be shipped to you.
Related: 21 Best Dropshipping Suppliers For Shopify/Amazon/eBay (Safe Worldwide)
12. ECVV
ECVV is not your regular online marketplace. Here, you can contact the site to support people and then tell them what you need. They will look for suppliers who can service you, and then you can tell the suppliers what you want, and for what price.
If the product you want is already displayed on the website, the only thing you need to do is to contact the manufacturer. Tell him about your packaging requirements, and negotiate for the price of the goods, the minimum order requirements, and the shipping costs.
Pros:
- Retail is also available
- Great for white label and private label
Cons:
- Does not accept PayPal
The site is a great alternative to Alibaba because it offers end-to-end service. What this means is that the website operators will help you find the right suppliers for you at no extra cost.
13. TBDRESS
As the name suggests, the specialty of this website is clothing. You can find clothing for men and women on this site, along with accessories. TBDRESS is known for its sale, and while it does offer retail, it has no app that you can use for dropshipping.
TBDRESS ships internationally, and you can take advantage of the VIP program if you are a frequent buyer. There is also a wholesale program where you can get discounts for the items that you buy. In the VIP program, you can get as much as 6% off on all your purchases.
Pros:
- Thousands of clothing and accessories
- Low prices plus wholesale deals
- Lots of flash sales for wholesale buyers
Cons:
- Shipping fee for returns not covered
- Few payment options available
You can use PayPal to pay for your purchases, along with credit cards and bank transfers.
14. GearBest
GearBest is one of the best sites where you can find hobby items. Electronic goods are also the specialty of the site. This is where you must go if you want to sell chargers and USB cables.
Although the site has clothing and accessories, you will still get more value for your money if you source your electronic goods from here.
Pros:
- Has ten payment options
- Ships internationally
- Have warehouses globally
Cons:
- Shipping can take up to 28 days
GearBest offers a lot of programs where you can get the best deals. Examples of these are the Partnership Program, Free Gift Cards, Pro Program, Associate Program, and Influencer Program.
15. AliExpress
While AliExpress is also a company that is owned by Alibaba, there are different ways that the two are managed. AliExpress is a retail site, and the merchants here price their items for people who want to buy in small quantities.
Pros:
- Thousands of suppliers and goods
- No minimum order requirements
Cons:
- Shipping can take more than 60 days as all products here are from China.
In AliExpress, you can find all kinds of products that you can buy in Alibaba because it is very likely that those who sell in Alibaba are the same merchants found here. However, you do not have to buy in large quantities.
Related: Best Way To Find Dropshipping Suppliers In America! (Step By Step)
16. Overstock
This site is best for people who want to sell furniture, bedding, and other home improvement materials. However, the prices here usually start from $100 and up.
Pros:
- High-quality furniture and goods
- Products come from different manufacturers
Cons:
- Some items are non-refundable
- Only partial refund is offered if 30 days from purchase have passed
Overstock is a great alternative to Alibaba if you are looking for premium quality home decorations and furniture.
17. Wholesale7
The last on our list is Wholesale7, a site where the main product is clothing. Here, the products also come from China, and the sellers do offer customized labels for the packaging and the dress tags.
Pros:
- Lots of clothing types available
- Customized labels are offed
- Has VIP Program
Cons:
- Does not ship to all countries
- Takes up to five days to pack the order
Wholesale7 is great for both retailers and wholesalers, especially those who want to do white label business. However, you first need to check if your country is supported before ordering.
Summary
Alibaba may be the biggest online market place, but there are certainly other places where you can buy your goods. Today, more and more marketplaces pop up online, and they all want to provide better value for businessmen like you. All it takes is your patience to review each site, and then decide which one can give you better service and better value for your money.
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