How to find low MOQ supplier on Alibaba

How to find low MOQ supplier on Alibaba

When you buy from Alibaba, How do you do this if your ‘safer order’ amount is below their MOQ? Oftentimes, if you check the “Ready to Ship” box on Alibaba, you will find plenty of products with lower minimum order quantities and are ready to be shipped out within 15 days.

If you cannot find what you are looking for with these search filters, raise your “Min Order” criteria until you find the product that works for you. Or you can also message the supplier directly to see if there is any flexibility in this number.

Another option is posting an open inquiry in the Request for Quotation (RFQ) market with the precise quantity you are looking to order. That way, the supplier knows the quantity you want from the start and can choose whether they fulfill the order.

Negotiating MOQs with sellers As we mentioned, in some instances, it is appropriate to negotiate MOQs with the seller. It is important to be respectful and professional if this is the route you want to take.

For example, if the MOQ is set at 5000, it is really not appropriate to ask for an ultra-low order quantity of 200 units at wholesale price.

You could aim for between 3000 and 4000 thousand units if that is a number you are comfortable with since that is much closer to the seller’s MOQ. Be sure to explain your situation and ask politely. Many wholesale distributors will be willing to work with you if it makes financial sense for them.

Also, the fact that you have had some previous contact with the company (getting samples, arranging a factory inspection etc.)

really does help in this regard as well, as they view you as a serious buyer who has conducted him/herself professionally up to now.

Say that as this is the first time, you are buying from them, you want to test how everything goes with a smaller quantity. So instead of 1000 (manufacturer’s MOQ), you would like to test the waters with 500 units for your first order.

“Dear supplier, We have received and tested the samples you sent, and I am happy to say that the quality of the products was up to the standard we need to be able to use you as a supplier.

We are now ready to place an order of higher quantity, however, to meet our quality control and rules for purchasing from new suppliers, we would like to order 200 pcs, rather than our usual amount of 500.

That way, we can test everything at a higher scale and get feedback from our retail customers.

Once this order is complete and if everything goes well, we can then use your factory as our primary supplier for all future orders.

Please get back to me as soon as possible so we can arrange the order details.

Kind regards,

See what the supplier says – it is not unusual for them to accept it straight away.

Sometimes they will increase the price of the product slightly for lower MOQs, that is fine if it makes financial sense for you to order at that price.

IF the supplier says no or only slightly lowers the MOQ requirements AND does not mention a higher price, offer to pay them a bit more at your target MOQ.

If they still say no, say that their competitors (hence why you want at least 2 samples from 2 different companies, if not 3) are offering lower MOQs – in your target MOQ region. So, ask them to match that offer.

IF they still say no, you can ask them if it would be possible to add your order to the next time, they manufacture this product for someone else. This will only be possible if the other order is not OEM of course.

If everything else fails and after several attempts the supplier still does not budge on their MOQ, you simply have no choice but to: 1. Increase your buying power to meet their requirements.

Maybe you can wait a month or two and save up a bit more.

2. Look for alternative suppliers offering the same product at lower MOQs. 3. Try to find a China sourcing agent, ask them to help you find low MOQ factory.

If you cannot find ANYONE to supply the product at levels suitable to your budget, you may need to re-think your strategy and maybe look for cheaper products to import.

If a seller does not respond to your request how you hoped they would, do not be frustrated. Just use the same Strategy to find a supplier who can provide the MOQ you expected. Good luck.