Taobao, Weidian and 1688 offer access to a wide range of Chinese sellers, but the pages, payment methods and domestic delivery workflow are often built for buyers inside China. LitBuy acts as an intermediary: you provide a supported source link and order instructions, the agent completes or assists with the domestic purchase, the seller sends the item to the warehouse, and you later arrange international delivery.

The agent solves access and logistics. It does not remove the need to evaluate a seller or specify the correct product. The strongest order is one that can be reconstructed from evidence: source URL, dated screenshots, exact variation, purchasing record, domestic tracking, warehouse photos, parcel contents and final international tracking.

Understand the three marketplaces

Taobao is a large consumer marketplace with independent shops and a broad range of listing styles. Weidian is common for mobile-first shops and can rely heavily on seller reputation or community discovery. 1688 is oriented toward domestic wholesale and manufacturing supply, though many listings allow small quantities. The same product name can hide different minimum quantities, price tiers, materials, versions and after-sales terms across these sources.

Do not treat the marketplace name as a quality grade. Seller history, product detail, transaction conditions and the exact selected variation matter more. A polished Taobao page can still be ambiguous, while a basic 1688 page can contain useful specifications. Translate the operational facts rather than relying on the marketing copy.

Other sources, including social-commerce pages or direct seller messages, may require LitBuy’s manual Fill & Buy process. Manual purchasing increases the importance of a stable source, written price, seller identity and stop rule because there may be less structured product data to import.

Step 1: verify the source listing

Open the original product page and confirm that it is still active. Record the title, shop name, displayed price range, domestic freight, sales unit and selected variant. A low headline price may belong to a sample, accessory, deposit or smallest option rather than the product shown in the main image.

Read the variation menu carefully. Save the Chinese text when possible, because an automated translation can merge different colors or versions. Pair it with a plain-language note and a screenshot showing the selected option. For clothing and footwear, save the size chart and its measurement method. Compare those measurements with an item you own instead of converting only the label.

Check whether the product is made to order, a preorder, customized, sold in a minimum quantity or marked with limited return conditions. For 1688, identify whether the displayed price changes at quantity thresholds. Buying one unit can cost more than the headline wholesale tier.

Step 2: screen the product for shipping problems

Before paying for the item, consider whether it can later travel to your country. Batteries, liquids, powders, food, cosmetics, magnets, pressurized containers, sharp objects, very large goods and some branded products can face restrictions or special routes. The available line depends on product characteristics, destination and current carrier rules.

Record dimensions and estimated weight if the listing provides them. Large, low-density items can be charged by volumetric weight. A cheap bulky item may produce a high international freight cost, especially when it needs rigid protection. Treat a preliminary shipping calculator result as a planning range until the warehouse produces packed measurements.

If the item only makes sense when a particular route is available, confirm eligibility before purchase. Once an item reaches the warehouse, returning it still requires seller cooperation, a valid return window and domestic shipping.

Step 3: submit the link to LitBuy

Paste the source URL into the supported purchasing interface. Review the imported title, price and options against the original page. If the parser misses information, do not choose the closest guess simply to continue. Use a manual order request or add a precise note.

A strong order brief contains the source URL, seller or shop, exact option text, color, size or model, quantity, acceptable price, domestic freight and required evidence. Add a stop rule for uncertainty: for example, “Do not substitute another color; ask before purchase if this option is unavailable.” This prevents a seller suggestion from becoming an unapproved order.

For a direct seller or social-store order, include a current price screenshot and payment instructions visible through the supported workflow. Avoid moving money to an unrelated private account based only on a message. The transaction should create a LitBuy order reference and a clear status record.

Step 4: audit the first payment

Separate product price, domestic freight, service charges and payment-related fees. If LitBuy displays a converted currency amount, remember that the payment provider may use its own exchange rate. Save the final order summary and receipt.

Promotions should be evaluated on the amount actually discounted. A percentage code can have a cap or apply only to one payment stage. Do not add an unnecessary item to reach a minimum spend unless the net total is still lower and the product was already wanted.

After payment, check that the variation in the LitBuy order matches the evidence you saved. A wrong option is easiest to correct before the agent purchases it. Once the seller dispatches, the remedy can require a return or exchange.

Step 5: follow domestic purchasing and delivery

Keep purchasing status, seller dispatch and domestic tracking separate. “Purchased” means the agent completed the order; it does not mean the seller has shipped. A carrier delivery scan means the parcel reached an address; it may still wait for warehouse intake, matching and shelving.

If the seller misses a stated lead time, decide whether to wait or request a cancellation based on the marketplace status and seller terms. Do not build an international deadline around an unshipped domestic item. A multi-seller haul will naturally have staggered arrivals.

Record the domestic tracking number and the date it shows delivery. If warehouse intake takes longer than expected, provide that number with the LitBuy order ID. A concise two-number record is more actionable than a general message that the product is late.

Step 6: compare warehouse evidence with the order

When the item is received, compare the QC photos with the original order record. Verify quantity, color, version, size marking and requested accessories before inspecting small cosmetic details. A clear photo of the wrong variant is still a failed identity check.

Use product-specific questions. For apparel, inspect the tag and request meaningful garment measurements if fit is uncertain. For footwear, compare both shoes, size labels and visible shape. For electronics, verify model markings, connector type and included components, while recognizing that a photograph may not prove battery health or complete function.

If evidence is missing, request the exact angle or measurement needed. If the item does not match, preserve the listing, order selection and warehouse photo in one record. Ask for return or exchange while the domestic remedy is still possible. Do not place the item in an international parcel until the decision is closed.

Step 7: create a deliberate parcel

Mark each warehouse item as ready, unresolved, return or separate shipment. Build the parcel only from ready items. Choose packaging based on protection, dimensional size and route rules. Removing every box is not automatically optimal, and keeping every seller package can create avoidable volume.

Review the packed contents, final physical weight, dimensions and chargeable weight. Compare routes using the same parcel profile. Look beyond the headline price to tracking, delivery range, product eligibility, tax handling, insurance or compensation and final checkout total.

Audit the destination address immediately before payment. Save the item manifest, packing request, route name, amount and parcel number. These records form the bridge between warehouse evidence and the carrier.

Step 8: track and close the order

Use the international parcel number after dispatch. The domestic seller number will not describe the overseas shipment. Allow a reasonable period for the first carrier scan and record status changes with timestamps.

When the parcel arrives, inspect the exterior before opening. If damaged or resealed, photograph all sides and the shipping label. A continuous opening video can preserve evidence for missing or damaged contents. Keep packaging and labels until any case is resolved.

Close the order by recording actual international freight, destination charges and delivery time. This turns the purchase into useful data for the next order instead of relying on a generic online estimate.

Common mistakes

  • Ordering the first image without checking the selected price tier.
  • Using a familiar size label without comparing measurements.
  • Assuming an agent has certified authenticity or materials.
  • Buying a restricted or bulky product before checking routes.
  • Approving QC when the required angle is missing.
  • Mixing domestic and international tracking numbers.
  • Comparing routes with different weight or packaging assumptions.

Marketplace buying FAQ

Can LitBuy buy any Taobao, Weidian or 1688 link?

Not necessarily. The seller, product, payment method, route restrictions and destination can affect support. Use a manual request for sources that do not import cleanly and wait for confirmation when uncertain.

Is 1688 always cheaper than Taobao?

No. 1688 can show wholesale tiers or minimum quantities. Compare the exact quantity, specification, domestic freight and return terms.

Do QC photos prove authenticity?

No. They document visible evidence. Authenticity and internal construction generally require different evidence and should not be inferred from a few warehouse images.

Independent-guide note: Marketplace pages, agent features and shipping rules change. Verify the live source, current LitBuy order screen and destination-specific route conditions before each payment.