Should I pay Alibaba $6,000/year to find oversea buyers? Does it work?

Tiennguyen2582

Member

Member since 27 May 2016

Tiennguyen2582

02 June 2016 15:06:48

Tiennguyen2582

02 June 2016 15:06:48

Dear Everybody,

My name is Tien, a 34 woman with 2 children. I live in Dist.7, HCMC, Vietnam. I just want to set up a small business, distributing some natural soaps, coconut oil for a manufacturing company. I chose these products as they are good, natural, healthy and also cheap. I really like them and I do not have to invest a lot of money. I set up the fanpage and will make the website to introduce my products to sell online as the first step. Honestly speaking, I am confused and fluctuated.

It should be better if I can export them to overseas. I think Alibaba may help me find the customers. However, the cost is really high for me. I am not sure if it can work.
Is anybody familiar with Alibaba? could you please give me an advice. Are there any cheaper ways to approach oversea customers?
Are there any special legal restrictions on importing these natural soaps in your countries? I would be grateful if you can give me some ideas.

Many thanks,
Tien Nguyen

Rush 53483

New member

Member since 26 May 2016

Rush 53483

04 June 2016 20:33:53

Rush 53483

04 June 2016 20:33:53

Tein,

You have got your priorities all mixed up. This is certainly not the way to go about your marketing for a start up. No, spending $$$ on AliBaba does not make sense. In fact you should not spend any money initially on online marketing at all.

Think long term marketing, not immediate selling! There are restrictions & tax variations that differ from country to country. You should be able to hand pick your clients & the markets you intend to do business with. It takes comprehensive research, not blind faith. Do not try to shoot in the dark, you'd only end up getting hurt.

What is your production capacity? Are the soaps handmade? Can you supply if there's a bulk demand at a short notice?

Rush

Guest2023

05 June 2016 03:44:07

Guest2023

05 June 2016 03:44:07

Spending that type of money with Alibaba will get you squat, think about what Alibaba means in VN, thief.

Tiennguyen2582

Member

Member since 27 May 2016

Tiennguyen2582

05 June 2016 06:04:12

Tiennguyen2582

05 June 2016 06:04:12

Dear Rush,

Thanks for ur advice. I will not pay Alibaba. I will try to find a better way.
Thanks

gimmethewine

Member

Member since 08 May 2016

gimmethewine

06 June 2016 03:52:22

gimmethewine

06 June 2016 03:52:22

Networking is really important. Since you don't have a lot of money to invest, first, make some! Find your customers in Saigon. Post your products on etsy.com. Besides, Europe is a better market for handmade soaps and oils. You should prepare the samples and send them to distributors instead of spending $6k on alibaba.