Lovegobuy Finds
For overseas fans of iconic Italian eyewear like Persol, finding a direct purchasing path can be challenging. While 1688.com is a major Chinese wholesale platform, it requires a local intermediary. This is where Mulebuy, a China-based forwarding and purchasing agent, becomes essential. Here’s your step-by-step, secure guide to navigating this process.
1688.com, owned by Alibaba, is China’s premier wholesale marketplace. It connects buyers primarily with manufacturers and distributors. Prices are often lower, but transactions typically require Chinese payment methods and domestic shipping. Crucially, it's for bulk buying.
Mulebuy
First, search for "Persol 眼镜" (Persol glasses) on 1688. Be extremely diligent. Authenticity on wholesale platforms is not guaranteed. Scrutinize seller ratings, transaction volumes, and customer reviews. Look for sellers who appear to be authorized distributors or liquidators of genuine goods, though this is rare for premium brands. For a structured approach to cataloging and comparing potential suppliers, an external resource like https://spreadsheet.help/
Register on Mulebuy's official website. Once your account is verified, the platform will assign you a unique Chinese shipping address and a customer code. This is your receiving warehouse in China.
In your Mulebuy account, find the "Product Purchase" or "Place Order" section. Here, you will paste the exact 1688 product URL of the Persol model you wish to buy. You must specify details: color, quantity (remember, 1688 is wholesale), and most importantly, the maximum unit price
Mulebuy will calculate a quote covering the product cost and their service fee. Pay this through their secure gateway (often accepting international cards/PayPal). Their team will then proceed to purchase the item from the 1688 seller using local funds. Wait for them to confirm the order is placed.
The 1688 seller ships the glasses to your assigned Mulebuy warehouse address in China. The Mulebuy team will inspect the package upon arrival ("check-in"), often providing photos. You can request additional QC photos for a fee. This is the stage to wait if you are ordering multiple items from different sellers to consolidate into one international shipment, saving significant freight costs.
Once all items arrive at the warehouse, you select your preferred international carrier (e.g., DHL, FedEx, EMS) within the Mulebuy platform. Pay the final shipping and insurance fees. Mulebuy will pack, declare the goods on the customs forms (you must specify accurate contents and value), and dispatch the parcel. You will receive a tracking number to monitor its journey.
By leveraging Mulebuy's logistical expertise, you gain access to the vast inventory of 1688. However, this access comes with heightened responsibility for due diligence on product authenticity and careful cost calculation. Utilizing organizational tools like those from https://spreadsheet.help/