1688 vs Taobao vs Pinduoduo for a small pre-order business?
I'm planning to start a small pre-order business selling shoes, bags, and jewelry, and I'm currently researching where to source products from China.
I've heard people mention 1688, Taobao, and Pinduoduo, but I'm confused about which platform is best if my main priority is quality rather than the cheapest price.
A friend of mine lives in China and is willing to help me with purchasing and shipping, but he doesn't have any experience with sourcing or e-commerce, so I'm trying to learn the process myself first.
Since I'm just starting out, I'm looking for suppliers with low MOQ. In many cases, I may only order 1–3 pieces per product at the beginning to test demand before scaling.
For those who have experience importing from China:
- Which platform would you recommend for good-quality products with low MOQ?
- How do you identify reliable suppliers?
- What red flags should I watch out for?
- Is 1688 still a good option if I'm ordering very small quantities?
- How do you check product quality before placing orders?
- Which platform is better for beginners who want quality products and small order quantities?
I'd really appreciate any advice, tips, or lessons from your own experience. Thanks!