Starting a dropshipping business with 1688 dropshipping can be highly profitable due to its vast product range and affordable pricing. However, like any business model, it comes with challenges. Many beginners make avoidable mistakes that lead to low profits, delays, or even store failure. In this blog, we’ll cover the most common pitfalls in 1688 dropshipping and practical tips to help you avoid them.

Poor Supplier Selection

Pitfall: Many sellers jump into business with the first supplier they find on 1688, without checking credibility. This often leads to low-quality products, delayed shipments, or unresponsive suppliers.

How to Avoid:

• Look for suppliers with good ratings, reviews, and verified badges.

• Order product samples before selling them.

• Build strong communication with suppliers to clarify packaging, shipping, and product quality.

Ignoring Shipping Times and Costs

Pitfall: One of the biggest challenges in dropshipping from 1688 is long shipping times and hidden logistics fees. This frustrates customers and increases refund requests.

How to Avoid:

• Use reliable freight forwarders or third-party logistics partners.

• Offer clear shipping policies on your store.

• Consider using ePacket or faster shipping services if available for your region.

Overlooking Translation and Product Descriptions

Pitfall: Since 1688 is primarily in Chinese, relying on auto-translation can cause misunderstandings about product features or specifications. This results in misleading listings and unhappy customers.

How to Avoid:

• Use professional translation tools or hire freelancers to provide accurate product descriptions.

• Rewrite descriptions in clear, customer-friendly language instead of copy-pasting directly.

Selling Low-Quality or Trend-Dependent Products

Pitfall: Many beginners chase trending products without considering durability, quality, or long-term demand. This often leads to returns, bad reviews, and short-lived profits.

How to Avoid:

• Focus on evergreen niches (e.g., home improvement, pet supplies, fitness).

• Check reviews on 1688 to assess product quality.

• Always test the product before scaling.

Underestimating Customer Service

Pitfall: Dropshippers sometimes ignore after-sales service, thinking suppliers will handle it. This results in poor customer experiences and negative reviews.

How to Avoid:

• Take responsibility for customer communication.

• Provide tracking numbers, refund policies, and timely responses.

• Use CRM tools or chatbots to streamline support.

Pricing Mistakes

Pitfall: Many new dropshippers underestimate costs like shipping, platform fees, or exchange rates, leading to slim or no profit margins.

How to Avoid:

• Calculate the total landed cost (product price + shipping + fees).

• Set a healthy markup (usually 30–50%) to cover expenses.

• Use tools to automate pricing and avoid losses.

Lack of Automation

Pitfall: Manually managing orders, product imports, and updates can be time-consuming and error-prone.

How to Avoid:

• Integrate your store with dropshipping automation tools that connect 1688 with platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, or Amazon.

• Automate order fulfillment, stock updates, and tracking details.

Final Thoughts

1688 dropshipping can be a game-changer for entrepreneurs, but only if approached strategically. By avoiding common pitfalls like poor supplier selection, long shipping times, and weak customer service, you’ll set your store up for long-term success.

Pro Tip: Start small, test products carefully, and build strong supplier relationships—these steps alone can save you from 80% of the mistakes beginners make.