Marketplace guide
How to buy from 1688
1688 is Alibaba's domestic wholesale marketplace. Units are cheap; minimum order quantities and bulk-focused listings are common. Some finds here still point to 1688 via LitBuy — read the listing before you assume single-piece checkout.
How 1688 differs
Listings target shops and resellers. You might see tiered pricing by quantity or a minimum order count. Not every 1688 link is meant for one pair of shoes — check the find notes and LitBuy options.
Find 1688 rows on LitBuy Finds
Fewer fashion finds come from 1688 than Weidian or Taobao, but accessories, blanks, and bulk basics show up. Browse categories and read card descriptions for MOQ hints.
Agent link and quantity
Open the agent link and verify LitBuy lists the quantity you actually want. Buying three when you meant one changes shipping weight and cost. If MOQ is too high, pick a different find.
QC still applies
Wholesale does not mean skip inspection. Warehouse photos matter even on cheap blanks — wrong color or bad fabric is still a failed order for your purposes.
Common questions
- Is 1688 only for resellers?
- Mostly, but some listings allow single units through agents. The find page and LitBuy checkout tell you what is actually purchasable.
- Why is 1688 cheaper on paper?
- Factory-direct wholesale pricing and bulk assumptions. Add agent fees, international shipping, and possible MOQ before you compare to a Taobao single-piece listing.