How to Establish a Long-Term Relationship with an AliExpress Supplier
Building a solid, trustworthy relationship with your AliExpress suppliers is essential for the long-term success of your dropshipping business. A good supplier not only ensures product quality and reasonable delivery times but can also help you quickly resolve issues and improve the customer experience. Here are some tips on how to build and maintain a strong relationship with your suppliers:
1. Research the Supplier and Start with Small Orders
Before committing, thoroughly research the supplier. Check their rating, the number of sales they’ve made, and read reviews from other buyers. Also, when starting out, it’s recommended to place a small order to assess product quality, delivery times, and packaging accuracy. This will give you an initial sense of how the supplier handles orders without committing to large quantities.
2. Clear and Consistent Communication
Open and consistent communication is key to any business relationship. Use short and clear messages to communicate with the supplier, and be sure to ask specific questions about the product, delivery times, and return policies. Most suppliers on AliExpress are used to working with dropshippers, so many will appreciate your direct approach.
- Be transparent: Let them know you’re a dropshipper and explain that you value their cooperation in providing a good customer experience. This can also help the supplier adjust their approach and be more prepared to handle your orders.
- Use a single communication channel: Choose one channel to communicate (such as the AliExpress messaging platform or, if the supplier allows, WhatsApp or WeChat) and keep all important conversations there. This will make it easier to reference previous messages in case of discrepancies.
3. Set Expectations for Quality and Delivery Times
Before placing large orders, make sure the supplier understands your quality standards and delivery expectations. It’s important to discuss realistic shipping times to avoid issues with end customers. Ask the supplier to confirm:
- Processing times from the moment you place the order.
- The speed and cost of different shipping methods (ePacket is usually a good option for U.S. customers).
- The quality and presentation of packaging, especially if you want to prevent the customer from knowing the product comes from AliExpress.
4. Agree on a Plan for Issues or Returns
Ask the supplier about their policy in the case of defective products or dissatisfied customers. Knowing how to handle these cases in advance allows you to respond quickly if a problem arises. If the supplier has experience working with dropshippers, they likely already have a process for managing returns or refunds quickly and effectively.
5. Negotiate Prices and Volume Discounts
Once you’ve confirmed that the supplier is reliable and are satisfied with the product quality, consider negotiating lower prices. After a few months of relationship, the supplier may be willing to offer discounts if you guarantee a regular order volume. Even if you don’t place large orders, suppliers usually value a stable relationship and may offer discounts for your commitment.
- Ask for discounts respectfully: Request discounts or special terms professionally and politely, emphasizing your intention to maintain a long-term relationship.
- Propose flexible agreements: If the supplier cannot offer direct discounts, consider negotiating other benefits, such as faster shipping or custom packaging.
6. Be Consistent and Keep Your Promises
Maintaining trust is essential for a strong relationship. If you promise the supplier that you’ll place regular orders or notify them in advance of increases in order volume, make sure to follow through. By demonstrating consistency and professionalism, your supplier will be more willing to help during periods of high demand and maintain service quality for your customers.
7. Appreciate and Recognize Good Service
Finally, show gratitude when the supplier does a good job. This can be as simple as sending a thank-you message or publicly acknowledging their good service on social media (with the supplier’s consent). Recognizing your supplier’s efforts helps strengthen the relationship and makes them more willing to support you in the future.
Conclusion: Building a long-term, trustworthy relationship with your AliExpress suppliers takes time and effort, but the long-term benefits are enormous. A good supplier can help reduce the stress of managing your store, improve customer satisfaction, and contribute to the stability of your dropshipping business.