Risking Big Money on Bulk Orders from Alibaba... NOT GOOD!
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- Опубліковано 16 тра 2023
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Samcraft is a channel all about educating, inspiring, motivating, encouraging, and sharing the things I've learned since starting my own small business in 2018.
In today's video I bring you through my story of risking $1,200 and nearly 6 months on bulk ordering of slate drink coasters for engraving and how it turned out. I waited nearly 6 months for this to finally come to a resolution, and it's not that great. Will I ever order from Alibaba again? I'm not sure...
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#laserengraving #samcraft #alibaba
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This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. This helps support the channel and allows us to continue making videos like this. Thank you for the support! - Навчання та стиль
I require my Alibaba suppliers to document packing process with video before shipping to include product close-ups. Not 100% foolproof but might help.
There are companies you can hire in China that will QC your orders before shipping to the US. They act on your behalf with the manufacturer and catch problems on that end. You might look into one of those, especially if you're going to be doing a much larger order.
I was thinking the same thing. Wonder what the economics on that would be?
@@daleplant5275 The Amazon sellers all use them, so I don't think it's too much of an additional cost considering the alternative of having to reject a large percentage of the lot on this end. The manufacturers are used to them also, so they know that when one of these companies is engaged they better produce better quality or have the lot rejected.
I would imagine they cost quite a bit and on the small scale he is doing wouldn't be worth it.
How do you know they won't be bribed by the business? How much are these QC people's wages? Nothing compared to how much profit the company is making off you. A little less profit for the company is OK by bribing the QC guy if it means making the bulk amount of profit off you once.
Do you guys know of any companies?
And now you know why Amazon costs 2 or 3 times as much per coaster at least. That's what they need to cover the defects & missing pieces - a problem that will likely recur with every order.
This also include the Amazon fee, don't forget about that
The reason Amazon costs 2 to 3 times the cost is because some other guy (or gal) established a good trade relationship with an Chinese manufacturer on Alibaba 🤣
You are not considering the FBA Fulfilled By Amazon costs. That is the primary reason that Amazon costs more.
@@bracholi That is likely not correct.
@@PresidentofAntifa it's a meme about how difficult finding a good manufacturer is and establishing a good relationship with one is. You saving others from it is worth x2 x3 times the price.
I was a Pilot for UPS and I walked through the sort facility at DFW and Louisville every time I flew. The open and destroyed Bowes was amazing. At DFW they had an area where they tried to put things back together to ship. However there were a-lot of lose items in a big container never to get to the final destination.😁🛫
Dumb American what are you going to sue the Chinese GGovernment 😂
I was a Plant Engineering mechanic at the CACH facility by Chicago. The damages were totally ridiculous.
All package handling companies are about the same. move them faster to meet your advertising to the public.
That's what you get when shippers buy the cheapest packing materials they can, and shipping companies hire part-time college kids to unload and load the packages.
I think its important to pay attention to whats going on the ground in China and even the district you ordering from, several channels cover the overall job market collapse happening there right now and get into details about the textile and manufacturing districts, it could be that they just don't have the staff to handle the order size or working off skeleton crew.
Sorry about the problems, but thank you for sharing. Love watching your videos because of how complete and polished they feel. Hope to hear about what you decide to do next!
Considering the way the rubber feet were installed, I'd rather do them myself. Not even remotely evenly spaced.
Thanks for sharing your experience. I hope you find a way to overcome these challenges.
Simple tip, if you want to order a thousand a year, tell them you want one thousand a year first even if you are going to only place a first order of one hundred, they give better quotations, as well as you should google were the city who makes the most stone and only use alibaba suppliers who have that city in their name, also always negotiate the price they give you otherwise they get offended and feel like they priced you to low and are getting ripped off.
SAM! Awesome video, thanks for providing so many details and the story overall! You're the man, keep it up!
I appreciate you putting this video up Sam. Quite an eye opener for me. Sometimes third times the charm, but I would have to think pretty hard about it as well.
Thank you for sharing. You have been deligently seeking a better product. You will find the right one. Everyone stay warm safe, happy and healthy. From Henrico County Virginia
I have no useful feedback but it was interesting to hear about your experience. Considering how many issues we have when ordering products, I'd say you did alright. It's hard to find good, consistent products.
We had a little different issue. My wife ordered a bulk order of sublimation tumblers from a place in China. We recieved a COMPLETELY different order. After a couple of emails we found out our order went to California and that individuals order came to us in Michigan. The company sent us new labels to UPS it to the other person and then it was almost a month before we finally recieved our order from the person in California. What a pain in the rear.
I def appreciate your time and effort spent into this Video. I ordered 300 from your last video and had tons of issues with them. Not complaining as I still think I'm way ahead since I used the junk ones for testing. /Cheers mate!
Thank you for sharing. I love that you share insite.
Before counting 1000 tiles. Count 100 and put them on bathroom scales and check weight. Weigh the others to get rough estimate of quantity.
Sam, I like the square rough edge tiles. I’d keep them.
Wow Sam! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for keeping it real on your channel.
PM me if you want to sell the square coasters. Also, I use JDS Industries for bulk coasters, but they are rough finished edges and I’m fine with that for what I do. As an aside, you might consider using a thin cork sheet instead of 3 feet - and engrave your logo on the cork. Nice ‘upgrade’ look on the coasters.
That's a great idea. Just have to spend the time cutting them out and gluing them on
All right Sam, that's common new comer business issue in China. You want to find a quality check office in China who will check everything is ok (conformity, quantity, packaging, etc.) from factory and check everything is well received by the transporter. This is a necessary extra cost which is way less than time wasted an 20+% unsellable parts. Never trust a provider, always check everything.
Or buy American ?
@@danbailey96 well IF you live in USA and IF there's a supplier and IF the price allows a benefit.
Thanks for sharing your journey, what a wild ride haha
Now you have me curious about my order of 200 I bought at the beginning of the year. I got them to have them to use for friends and such (not online selling), but then decided to change up in my new house which room was going to be electronics/3d printer/engraving room, and well, that room also has the last of the crap to unpack since buying the house... So I never got around to opening them up to use them. I just checked I had ordered mine from "Ningbo General Union Co., Ltd"
Thanks for the video Sam.
The square slate could be made into wall hangings. You make some cute designs on the coasters that might make nice accent pics.
I had similar issues. My product was a blank journal cover with 100 blank pages. I was going personalize the outside with laser engraving. I never got to the bulk order stage. The samples I received were all factory rejects they couldn't sell. Communication was awful. It was at least a full day of turn around time to get questions answered.
I dealt with the same thing when I sold electronics online. It was a dice roll whether or not (a) the product would arrive in time or at all and (b) if the product would be accurate or broken. The good news is the problems always got solved, but hopefully the U.S. can get manufacturing going again in the future. The competition is lackluster at best.
Would be interesting to see what they do about the box of square coasters.
You also have a few hundred with no feet. Can you sell them and make up some of the margin?
Not US but definitely you can get those cheap in the UK. We still mine slate in Wales, I was looking at slate hearts in a book shop the other day and they were dirt cheap, that was in a retail store too
Thank you for sharing your experience with ordering these coasters. We love your videos and have learned some really valuable information to help us with our Laser engraving business. Just curious why you don't use square coasters and only the round ones?
Thanks for the video, this is great information to have.
Dear Sam, I dealt with Alibaba with comical results and loss of money on my side, so to understand how it works there I would strongly suggest to listen to an Audiobook "Poorly Made In China". It will give you perspective and also help in what to expect in the future.
Really enjoy your videos and learned a lot from you. Thanks and keep it up.
I’ve ordered craft supplies from over sea and yes it takes a long time to get here and sometime I didn’t get my order but they did give me a refund, but the time it takes to arrive is why I no longer order over sea. It is a hassle, but I like your video 🤙🤙🤙🤙🤙
Great info Sam
Take a trip to the factory and you will completely understand why they "can't seem to get your order right". The level of poverty over there is staggering and only to be believed if you actually go there. We went in 2018 to Canton fair in Guangzhou and only by travelling there would you get it. The paradigm shift between living in the USA and China is like living on the moon vs living on earth...
Even if you were to do that large bulk order for offer to sell to other makers, you’d still have to have the price point set enough to coverage your brokerage/import fees, otherwise that’s not really a profitable business model for you or your customer, because they’d have to up charge that again depending on they’re location.
Just because they sell on Alibaba doesn't mean they're a Manufacturer or Factory.
Most are just Brokers who are good at Int'l. Shipping.
A lot of it isn't even made in China. They just source it.
I still like Alibaba, even if it costs a little extra because of their buyer protection and payment methods.
I don't want to wire transfer money and then have no recourse if the seller or foreign company just steals the money.
I just got started to your channel, watched how you remodeled your entire home!!! Man, are we related? You seem like my kinfolk
My first bulk order with Baba, was sq. slate rough cut. Got lucky. They came wrapped 4 to a box / set. Was very happy with them.
Can you link the seller?
Thanks for the info you are sharing in this vid, pretty useful. I'm a newbie laser owner and slate engraving is on my list. Did you get rid of the "footless" rounds and the "I don't need it" rectangular slates already? If not HMU plz.
Great informative video 👍👍
Thanks for sharing the experience. Might be time to branch out and sell a line if you get what I got from Alibaba as is. LOL
Great video in spite of the multiple, disappointing shipments from Alibaba!
Well done, Sam!
clean the first order up, keep the squares and buy some feet, and bang, ur up due to mistakes.
Labor is probably more dear to him than the cost of the coasters. Re-finishing those edges might not be worth the effort. If Sam costs his time out at $30/hr (60k/yr), that's 50 cents a minute. Whole coasters cost around a dollar in small quantities on Amazon. If he spends 2 minutes on a coaster (looking at it, grinding edges, cleaning, and sticking feet), he's already "paid" for a replacement. He's also lost 2 minutes working on something that produces revenue.
@@DavZell I guess..but, when you own a business there are hours you don't make anything, hours no one sees..
@a.r.cvrsn.a.r.c5202 not at all ..maybe you don't get paid a weekly cheque that week ..but if your a business owner and working for free , your business is failing bigtime
I like the look of the rough edge coasters more than the smooth ones. They might be more likely to hide any edge imperfections. Is there a specific design you make where the smooth edge is important?
I also have a preference to the square rough cut ones. He should really consider adding them to he sales.
Sam I don't think it is too much to expect 100% quality in your order if you are paying for 100% of your order. Will you share with your viewers who you have dealt with so they don't get taken as well? Also is there anyone out there who can recommend a good seller to buy from?
this is basic dealing with china, nobody will help you lol.
Sam, two things I can think of. You can make small plaques with scripture and maybe buy mini tripod stands or possibly soap stands for the soaps you sell. My personal preference is to buy 100% USA made and I’d pay more for it but I also understand that it’s not easy to find bulk or affordable merchandise in the USA.
For your torture test, you have a whole nother 1,000 coasters. LOL. Sorry this happened to you. I see your packages are coming in like mine do. good luck. The missing box, I don’t think you can blame that on the manufacturer. I think this wold be the shipper. The shipping labels did say there were 10. Can you see what shows on the tracking?
You can get a fine resolution lab scale (I got a $100 one that does down to 0.001 grams) and weigh items. Play around with it a bit first to see if the weight is consistent enough, and then you can figure out how many you can measure before the variation in weight makes uncertainty of the count. My guess is with these that you could stack whatever fits on the scale and not worry about that.
You could also make a resurgent reiteration of the first one you weighed and divide by the number of molecules in a cubic cm of the product. Personally, we hire illegals to sort products from foreign countries to offset the imbalances we receive. Plus we stack the scales on top of the product in order to obtain the weight.
Sorry that the happened to you..
I had the same experience a few years back when some equipment on the hydroponic farm.. Never again.
just thinking “outside the box” but those square ones with that rough tapered edge are pretty cool. Maybe have some square coasters.
Very informative video! Thank you for doing this experiment. However, you never mentioned the actual cost and savings that could be realized by ordering bulk like this. What is the original cost, and what additional costs are incurred with dutys, shipping, taxes, etc.. Final delivered price total. This would help us decide if cost averaging for defects and breakage can be worth the process for us. Thanks for your time!
I didn't share that because prices change so often that it would be outdated before the video was published. Also, my shipping and import fees would be different from yours. The information may be nice to know from my standpoint, but would be useless to anyone else in reality.
Similar experience here. Ordered two boxes, nothing crazy. One box was cut on the side and through the package of the product. Not a huge issue, but could be nicer.
There were also 4 items missing and I got, for whatever reason, some other items I didn't order. I mean, for the price... it's good. :D
They are also refunding me for the missing items. So, not a big deal.
Have you tried/considered faire (wholesale marketplace) or using a "sourcing agent" or just some to do quality control in China before shipping
Having worked for a large retailer that purchased about 20% of goods from international clothing manufacturers, I've learned that you should always allow for shrinkage due to damage or manufacturing defects and pilferage by dock workers (surprisingly, these guys steal items on a routine basis). Also, shipments can get help up in a customs warehouse for up to 6 months so plan for delays. It's just part of engaging in business with international suppliers.
p.s. - My role with the company was writing the software to handle accounts payable reconciliation. International trade was responsible for more than 80% of the work in the accounts payable department.
Sam, those square coasters really identify as round, its all good! :) :) :)
Hahaha that's a good one!
I spent seven years with a competitor of UPS. Your missing package, missing coasters, and the condition of the boxes are due to mishandling by UPS. The missing box and the one that was horribly crushed on the outside probably were misrouted in their system. The more a package is handled, the worse its condition. Package handlers are taught the "hand to surface" method where they are supposed to hold onto the package from the moment they pick it up until they set it down; however, they are judged by the number of packages they handle per hour. So they are told to be careful and rewarded for being fast...fast does not usually equal careful. My package handlers averaged over 1200 packages per hour. You can guess that we had a few damage problems, but not as many as you might expect. UPS and FedEx will accept paying a certain amount in claims to have a better flow of packages.
If UPS will accept your claim, pursue some remuneration there. They may, if Alibaba paid the freight, tell you Alibaba will have to file the claim. Either way, GOOD LUCK!
Sam, if I were interested to buy that squared coaster box, how would we go about it?
Thanks for the video. Even though you were missing some of your order I feel like you still made out with them just sending your order again for no charge. I would not ever use them again but you have an extra 1000 coasters without feet. Buy some feet and you up in my book. Lol. Love your videos.
Sam if your were to buy and then sell to other customers that would be Awesome I would buy from you I'm just getting started with engraving and like you said I would mush rather support American small companies rather than china I ordered a small batch from amazon but I'm also looking to find something here in the US that sells bulk Love your videos they are a wealth of Knowledge Thank You
Sounds like your Chinese coaster company needs a LEAN 6 sigma makeover.
I can appreciate that comment 😅
Can we still buy and get deliveries of actually what we order from alibbaba?
Any tips to know before buying from them retail or wholesale?
Any warnings , pro's or cons!
What about what is suppose to be "" verifyed suppliers""?
You also won't find black slate manufactured anywhere else than China, because this type of slate can only be found in Asia. Slate anywhere else is various shades of brown or grey.
That is rough to have to go through all of that. I did a few coasters to try it out and noticed after a few uses, they get scratched and the image is damaged. Any insight on what to do to protect it? I did hit them with matte finish prior to engraving.
I do one coat of matte finish before and one more after to seal the engraving.
I'm at just the same place as you and about to drop the hammer on a bulk order of business cards. I don't forsee the same issues but time will tell what does go wrong.
I figure you did well. Don't judge on the problem, judge on the resolution and your supplier made it right. You can certainly make more money from the end result than if your first order had come through right the first time.
That's a win.
As for the 10% write off, if you aren't pricing in something like that figure (closer to 15% waste on acrilyc) you need to revisit your pricing structure.
Vistaprint is good for cards if that’s the place your going to go through?
@Rob3et Hi Rob, I do metal cards. I buy blanks and laser engrave them. The order was for $1000 worth of ally annodised cards. It all went through very smoothly.
Companies lack quality control hope it all works out for you Sam
Like you, I cannot find a manufacturer here in the U.S. Canada or Mexico for what I need! It's insane!!!! and I am at my wits end trying to find a manufacturer from China. Between the insane amount of money I'm spending on sample postage, the items I'm getting not being quite right, the lead times, the language barrier, the time it takes to get an answer and then them telling me, "they don't make the product I want like that anymore, thats the best they can do" I'm just so done with it.
I didn’t know you could buy clean slate coasters like that. Mine have kind of a rough look to them they’re not a circle.
great video this is what i was looking for but i need only two items im trying to see if any one got a arcade game.
Whats the shipping cost. Do you pay shipping or is it included in order
Sam, at the end of the video I automatically expected to hear "I'll see you next time on the homestead" 😂 Just wondering if you ever have to do retakes on your ending where you say the wrong thing? Great video!
I just closed my account with Alibaba. I ordered 11 different items from their website, and 10 were delivered to an address about 500 miles away. Had a hell of a time getting refund and never received a full refund, they always kept a little bit. This was so much of a pain in the a55. Never again.
I hate you had those issues, but completely understand!! I have no plans to use them again.
I looked at buying bulk but after adding shipping & import duties there is so little difference in the margins, I may as well buy locally.
The link you put was for the rough cut coasters, do you plan on linking the clean cut ones? Small orders not in the 1000s
That's the link. You have to contact the seller then begin custom quotes from there.
Thanks for the reply, your videos are great for a starter like me
👍Danke für das Video.
Ja so ist das mit dem chinesischen Handel.
Keine Standards.
Shop America. Low bid, is always with immense risk. Great video, you are definitely more patient than the average person. Thanks Sam
Michaels also sells them in bulk.
I order my square slate coasters through Michaels Pro by the case (48 - 12 boxes in another box) so the condition is usually really good.
Есть вариант заказать 3Д пепчать этих ножек из материала РУББЕР или их отливку, например, на термопласт-автомате, благо форма не сложная.
I like the square ones
you can have a 3rd party inspector inspect the product prior to it shipping to you.... and they could have sent you factory seconds instead of number 1 qaulity,, I know alibaba has a gaurantee...
What you don't get is the average failure rate for fragile items is around 30%. That is why tile, stone, and grannet is so expensive.
Yeah that's the tradeoff with risking it from Alibaba. On the flip side if you do find a reliable manufacturer you're golden, and if you keep giving them business they'll really respect you.
how much for the square box I'm a first timer never done anything yet
I like the square slate. I would buy a set of them and put the feet on myself. Make me a deal!
How much for the square coasters each
If you are wanting to let the rough cut squares go I'd be interested
After all is said and done were the savings worth it?
This is the main thing I do with my business. Safe to say they did an awful job packaging and not getting the product you actually ordered is absolutely ridiculous. When I started ordering from China, I ordered from two different companies. One that specialized in slate and stone, and one that had the cheapest price for a small order. The cheaper company sent me coasters that had awful edges and a lot of the square coasters wobbled a lot. I still used them, but I had to heat up the foam feet. The other company sent me great products and actually had better prices when I ordered larger quantities. Today I only order from them, they package their products well, and when I asked for their coasters to be above a specific mm thickness, they did that. My last order was 10,000 round slate coasters. I will go through them this year, and I only sell them at events so far.
China can do quality if you ask for it but you will pay more for that.
Problem is most don't they only see increased profit margins.
Sample the market with the product you have, then order more if selling. Fine the supplier that actually manufactures the product.
If you decide to sell the square coaster let me know.
Thanks
Does anyone know where Amazon gets their slate?
Serious question - are slate drink coasters really something people buy? I haven't used a drink coaster myself ever, and don't own traditional wood furniture that would merit one (and never see any when I visit friends or family). I'm a fan of CNC and laser engraving, but can't picture this as something I could offer for sale and get traction with. I would picture something more like laser engraving slate roof tiles with flowers or family crests for the edges of homes with slate roofs, or designs for slate shower tiles. Feel free to educate me if I'm out of touch on this. Best wishes.
I wonder this too, but hes buying 1k of them, must be sellin.
I have coasters everywhere. No coaster - no drink in my house 🤷♀️. But i don’t have any slate ones tho
@@CindyofTheShire why do you have coasters at all? do you have rare expensive hardwood furniture you are trying to protect from having drink marks left on the surface?
I had done this many, many years ago. It is a freakin nightmare dealing with the Chinese. Never again without a lot more work on my end. So many chargebacks and so much work for nothing. Once it got upto over $10K of the product failing way too soon, i just gave up on the business model.
Go with rough edges for a unique look?
Hi Sam..How much for a the Square ones? I really like them. No engraving needed..i can get the feet..
Thank you sir.
Hello to Angela
Anthony Volpe
P.S. great channels...love them. You guys sincerly make my day.
On the 24 percent loss with feet just offer custom coasters at discount
Fella what about Welsh or French slate great show 👍
Did you get rid of those Square coasters?
I found a use for them. :) I've been using them for some new colorized coasters to sell.
I will take the square coasters.