Alibaba inspection service review:
If there are no alternative methods available for conducting an inspection to ensure the product aligns with your specifications, then Alibaba inspection service can be a viable choice. I have personally employed this approach on several occasions and have found it satisfactory. However, it is crucial to meticulously point out every minor detail that requires attention, such as the grease grade within a sealed bearing or the strand count in a cable, to avoid overlooking any aspect.
Nonetheless, if you anticipate a continued need for inspection services and have the means to engage an independent inspector over the long term, this would likely be a more cost-effective option. With time, an independent inspector will develop a deeper understanding of your requirements compared to a one-time inspection service.
Alibaba Inspection Service Example:
To inspect, or not to Inspect? That is the question.
Questions:
Hello everyone! I’m new to the import from China, and was looking for some opinions regarding Alibaba’s inspection and production monitoring service. I just ordered my first shipment from China, and it’s just under 2k of workout equipment. Totaling about 40 items. I purchased it from a reputable “manufacturer/trading company” with almost 100 5 star reviews.
The salesman was nice, and answered all my questions. I mean I felt comfortable enough to wire these guys $2000 for products. So after my payment went through, AliBaba offered me to add production monitoring service for $48 or inspection service for $118. The first is a two page report, the second is a ten page report.
So my questions is, Would you recommend I get one or the other? I am leaning towards inspection, but I don’t want to just throw $118 down the drain for nothing, but I’m also a huge believer in insurance. What do you think? Thank you in advance!!
Answers:
I always advise not paying the full price after an inspection. Typically, you’ll need to pay 30% upfront when placing the order, and the remaining 70% after successfully passing the inspection. Otherwise, you’re giving up your leverage.
I also consistently recommend conducting inspections. Regardless of the cost (within reasonable limits), finding issues in China will still be much cheaper than receiving fitness equipment worth $2,000 but encountering significant quality or shortage problems. You can’t even get a refund for $118.
Beneficial for you! Just as they always tell me, “You have to pay to play.” This is a good practice, and if they identify issues, you can gain returns many times over.
Regarding payment. Negotiating a 30/70 split during product manufacturing is a standard practice, but when your production volume is high or the value justifies it, it’s not a bad approach. Although it’s the norm, you might need to negotiate since most suppliers seem to prefer 100% upfront payment. You might not get it, but it’s negotiable and industry-accepted. Sometimes, I’ve ordered products worth several hundred dollars for a direct selling customer of mine from suppliers, but to maintain honesty, I still requested a 30/70 payment arrangement. Never encountered any issues.