How to tell if a Chinese supplier is reliable
Updated
A reliable Chinese supplier shows in what their buyers say: an established seller level on 1688, good shipping and service scores, buyers who come back, items that sell well and a precise listing. Be wary of a price far below everyone else’s and of words like "copy" or "1:1". On Cofilo, search shows suppliers selected by Cofilo only, and every item page shows the seller’s ratings.
The signs to read on a 1688 listing
- The seller’s level: 1688 gives every seller a level. An established seller usually has a higher level than a newcomer.
- The overall score and the scores by topic: shipping, service, responsiveness, after-sales, dispute handling. A low shipping score often means delays.
- Repeat buyers: the share of buyers who come back to order. Buyers who return are a good sign.
- The item’s rating and sales: an item that is well rated and sells a lot has already reached many buyers.
- How long they have sold, and what kind of seller they are: their years on the platform, factory or professional seller, and their company name.
- Responsiveness: a seller who answers quickly and precisely before the sale usually does after it too.
- A precise listing: detailed photos, clearly named variants, a weight, and consistent price tiers.
For a large quantity or a new seller, start with a small order, like a sample: you judge the quality before buying more.
Red flags
- Replicas: "copy", "1:1 quality", fake brands. We do not buy them.
- A price far below other sellers for the same item: it often hides a different quality.
- A vague listing: few photos, no weight, unclear variants.
- Low scores for shipping or dispute handling.
- Items your forwarder refuses: batteries, phones, liquids, cosmetics, perfumes. Ask them before you order.
What Cofilo does
Cofilo selects the suppliers. Search, by word or by photo, shows suppliers selected by Cofilo only. A pasted link to any other supplier is refused, and the app offers similar items. The selection is checked at the cart, then again at payment. On every item page, you see the item’s rating and sales, and the seller’s ratings as 1688 gives them.
Cofilo selects; it does not inspect goods in China, so the signs above still matter. Photo search also finds the same item from other selected suppliers, so you can compare.
Buy from reliable suppliers in China. Selected by Cofilo. Pay with Mobile Money, at a clear price.
If the seller changes the terms
- A price rise between your payment and the purchase: up to 2% of the item prices (2 000 F at most), we cover it; above that, nothing is bought without your agreement, which you give within 48 hours.
- An item they no longer have: another variant at the same price or lower, or a refund of the item and its share of the fee.
- A late shipment: if everything has not shipped 7 days after the purchase, the order shows "Shipping late" and we chase the seller.
What to do if an item is wrong
The Cofilo fee, 10% of the item prices, covers buying, the seller’s delivery and the tracking of every parcel up to your forwarder’s warehouse in China. Up to there, Cofilo is responsible for your items. An item that is missing, not the one you ordered, or broken in the seller’s packaging is reported from the order, with no deadline and up to 4 photos. Once the problem is confirmed, we offer a replacement if the seller agrees, or a refund of the item, Cofilo fee included.
Common questions
How do I check if a 1688 seller is reliable?
Read their level, overall score, shipping and service scores, the share of repeat buyers and the item’s sales. On Cofilo, these ratings are on the item page.
How does Cofilo choose its suppliers?
On objective criteria, which stay internal. A supplier outside the selection does not show up in search, and its link is refused.
Does Cofilo inspect the goods?
No: Cofilo selects the suppliers; it does not inspect goods in China. Ask your forwarder to photograph your parcels when they arrive: they are your best proof if an item is wrong.
Should I order a sample?
With a new seller or for a large quantity, yes: a small trial order lets you judge the quality before buying more.