"This is the first time I've seen such a detailed road map for importing goods from Asia. The authors mention most of the traps first-time importers tend to fall into, and even seasoned importers can learn new tips about the Alibaba Web site. A great book, both rigorous and easy to read!"
—Renaud Anjoran, founder, Sofeast Quality Control
"A much-needed guide to product sourcing written by two e-commerce experts. Brad and Debra Schepp take the daunting job of sourcing products and break it down into easy-to-understand and manageable tasks. Recommended for entrepreneurs, retailers, and online sellers who want to take it to the next level."
—Ina Steiner, editor, AuctionBytes.com and EveryPlaceISell.com
"Alibaba's B2B search engine is the most powerful business tool for SMEs ever developed. This book is a winning combination of training manual in how to use Alibaba.com and cutting-edge business information. It all adds up to a proven system for creating more business!"
—Gene Rumley, BellPeformance.net, Alibaba e-Business of the Year, 2008
"Want to learn how to profit from Alibaba.com, the world's largest international trading platform? This book's practical guidance and inspiring success stories can help you take advantage of Alibaba.com's powerful online product sourcing and partnership tools. Read it to learn how to grow your business and profit from the globalization of the Internet economy."
—Scott Fox, author, e-Riches 2.0: Next-Generation Marketing Strategies for Making Millions Online
Foreword Jack Ma, Founder of Alibaba.com.
Acknowledgments.
About the Authors.
Preface.
Part I Alibaba.com: The Opportunity.
Chapter 1 Alibaba.com Opens the Door to Global Trade.
First a Little History.
Alibaba.com’s Corporate Goals and Values.
Alibaba.com’s Six Core Values.
Alibaba.com Today.
Alibaba.com Corporate Structure.
Alibaba.com’s Programs, Tools, and Events.
Alibaba.com’s 2008 e-Business Champion of the Year: Gene Rumley.
Chapter 2 International Sourcing: This Isn’t Kansas Anymore.
International Sourcing: Your Challenge and Promise.
Your First Sourcing Decision.
Let’s Put First Things First.
Get a Tax ID Number and Register Your Business.
Develop Your Product Idea.
Build Your Prototype.
Create and Test-drive Your Business Plan.
Create a Business Calendar.
Product Sourcing Basics.
Calculate Your Budget.
Safety Checks for Sourcing Products.
Sourcing Internationally: New Challenges and Rewards.
Leaving Kansas: Alibaba.com Opens a World of Opportunity.
Importing Your Products.
Chapter 2 Checklist.
Chapter 3 Keys to Successful Importing.
Your Education Begins.
Your Partner’s Responsibilities and Your Own.
Terms You Need to Know.
Standards, Certifications, and Regulations.
Partners Who Can Help You.
Who Are the Major Players?
Can You Keep It Simple?
Chapter 3 Checklist.
Part II Putting Alibaba.com to Work for You.
Chapter 4 The Alibaba.com Web site.
Let’s Start at the Home Page.
Trade with the World.
Keep Scrolling.
Inspirational Success Stories.
Alibaba.com Partners.
Don’t Underestimate the Bottom of the Page.
Let’s Get You Registered.
Download TradeManager.
A Tour of Alibaba.com’s Links.
Buy.
Sell.
Community.
My Alibaba.
Help.
Alibaba.com’s Search Engine.
Chapter 4 Checklist.
Chapter 5 Finding Business Partners.
You Are the Boss, So It’s All Up to You.
Education through Experience.
Establish Realistic Expectations for Your Suppliers.
Set Criteria for Your Products Themselves.
Build In Your Own Safety Checks.
Fraud: Forewarned Is Forearmed.
Qualify and Identify.
Qualify and Legitimize.
Let’s Find Some Manufacturers.
Searching for Partners.
Posting a Buying Lead.
Those First Few E-mails.
Vetting Prospective Partners.
Do You Like Their Attitudes?
Quantify Them to Qualify Them.
Communication, Communication, Communication!.
Should You Travel to China or Anywhere Else?
Chapter 5 Checklist.
Chapter 6 Working with Your Suppliers.
A Two-sided Partnership.
Alibaba.com Can Help You Learn.
Getting Your Products Right.
Get Graphic.
Ask for Samples.
What to Do When Things Go Wrong.
Chapter 6 Checklist.
Chapter 7 Closing the Deal.
Getting the Details Right.
Your Pro Forma Invoice.
Payment Schedules and Options.
Spread Out Your Payments.
Wire Transfers.
Escrow Services.
Letters of Credit.
Shipping Details.
Forge Good Relationships.
Bill of Lading: The Final Document.
Chapter 7 Checklist.
Chapter 8 Safe Trading.
Educate Yourself.
Alibaba.com’s Safety & Security Center.
Safe Trading Forums.
Other Web-based Resources You Can Use.
Keeping Your Computer Safe.
Security Help Available through Alibaba.com.
Create Your Own Alibaba.com Sign-in Seal.
E-mail Fraud.
Trojans and Viruses.
Protecting Your Computer.
Chapter 8 Checklist.
Chapter 9 Keeping the Pipeline Full.
Your Customers Will Change Your Business.
Your Partnerships Will Change Your Business.
When You Are Ready to Travel, Get In Touch.
Your Expertise Will Change Your Business.
What Will You Do with Your Expertise?
Turn Those Tables and Sell to the World.
Alibaba.com’s Selling Links and My Alibaba Selling Tools.
Now Is the Time to Consider a Paid Account.
Your Uncle Sam Stands Ready to Help.
Chapter 9 Checklist.
Part III Alibaba.com Success Stories.
Gene Rumley—Bell Performance, Inc..
Valarie Moody—Fodeo.net.
Allison Taylor—Jack Webster, Inc..
Mary Miller Pembleton and Gregg Pembleton—Thumball by Answers In Motion, LLC.
Joshua Crumbaugh—Platinum Mortgage, Inc..
Valerie Johnson—Big Feet Pajama Company.
Index.
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Posted January 14, 2010
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Overview
"This is the first time I've seen such a detailed road map for importing goods from Asia. The authors mention most of the traps first-time importers tend to fall into, and even seasoned importers can learn new tips about the Alibaba Web site. A great book, both rigorous and easy to read!"
—Renaud Anjoran, founder, Sofeast Quality Control
"A much-needed guide to product sourcing written by two e-commerce experts. Brad and Debra Schepp take the daunting job of sourcing products and break it down into ...