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Hello all,
Christmas has been a very busy month and this has caused me to rush things and not think clearly because of the mental exhaustion. Warning to all the people who import: please order 1 sample first when dealing with a new product/supplier and always write a PO (contract) for your order because according to my information you have no trade assurance rights on Alibaba if you don't have a contract (if trade assurance would be of any use or worth)!
I am selling this rechargeable night lamp from manufacturer/supplier A. Another supplier, B, offered me the same night lamp but for a cheaper price and much more beautiful appearance. I had no inventory left at this time and I had to choose to either order again with supplier A and order 1 piece sample from supplier B to test, or just order the small inventory of 40 pieces from supplier B immediatly without having seen any samples (but pictures and video were sent via email). Supplier B buys the product from the manufacturer and sells it to me.
I stupidly chose the latter option and I got a batch with a battery that lasts only 3 hours maximum, instead of the 12 hours minimum that was clearly promised. Hell, I even paid more to have the battery upgraded, and this is probably the cause of the defect in battery because they had to change the motherboard for me. Why they didn't test it before shipping, I don't know.
So now I have inventory with a battery life that is way too poor for this product and way worse than what the competition offers. Basically if they refund me the price of the inventory (377 USD) and also refund me the shipping cost (400 USD), then I can maybe sell this product for a low enough price to justify the poor battery. I would then also make some profit with this batch for it to cover the profit I will be missing because of this faulty order and the delay it has caused.
Would it be fair and a smart move (business wise and to keep the relationship with the supplier intact) to insist on a refund for both the product cost and shipping cost? This problem would have been totally avoidable had they simple tested the product before shipment. It was clear they hadn't done their due diligence, because 19 of the products came totally empty in battery, meaning you had to charge it first to see whether it worked. And also some damaged packackings, but nothing major.
I proposed that they could refund me this product cost and shipping cost in amount of night lamps. So basically if the total refundable cost is 777 USD and a night lamp costs 7.77, then they can give me 100 night lamps and I will pay for the shipping. So basically I am giving them another chance, but I will do an inspection of the new batch before paying them. The supplier said that she has to negotiate with the manufacturer and they will let me know. For now, they have already promised to replace the night lamps, but I have to pay the shipping.
Looking forward to your insights and opinions!
Christmas has been a very busy month and this has caused me to rush things and not think clearly because of the mental exhaustion. Warning to all the people who import: please order 1 sample first when dealing with a new product/supplier and always write a PO (contract) for your order because according to my information you have no trade assurance rights on Alibaba if you don't have a contract (if trade assurance would be of any use or worth)!
I am selling this rechargeable night lamp from manufacturer/supplier A. Another supplier, B, offered me the same night lamp but for a cheaper price and much more beautiful appearance. I had no inventory left at this time and I had to choose to either order again with supplier A and order 1 piece sample from supplier B to test, or just order the small inventory of 40 pieces from supplier B immediatly without having seen any samples (but pictures and video were sent via email). Supplier B buys the product from the manufacturer and sells it to me.
I stupidly chose the latter option and I got a batch with a battery that lasts only 3 hours maximum, instead of the 12 hours minimum that was clearly promised. Hell, I even paid more to have the battery upgraded, and this is probably the cause of the defect in battery because they had to change the motherboard for me. Why they didn't test it before shipping, I don't know.
So now I have inventory with a battery life that is way too poor for this product and way worse than what the competition offers. Basically if they refund me the price of the inventory (377 USD) and also refund me the shipping cost (400 USD), then I can maybe sell this product for a low enough price to justify the poor battery. I would then also make some profit with this batch for it to cover the profit I will be missing because of this faulty order and the delay it has caused.
Would it be fair and a smart move (business wise and to keep the relationship with the supplier intact) to insist on a refund for both the product cost and shipping cost? This problem would have been totally avoidable had they simple tested the product before shipment. It was clear they hadn't done their due diligence, because 19 of the products came totally empty in battery, meaning you had to charge it first to see whether it worked. And also some damaged packackings, but nothing major.
I proposed that they could refund me this product cost and shipping cost in amount of night lamps. So basically if the total refundable cost is 777 USD and a night lamp costs 7.77, then they can give me 100 night lamps and I will pay for the shipping. So basically I am giving them another chance, but I will do an inspection of the new batch before paying them. The supplier said that she has to negotiate with the manufacturer and they will let me know. For now, they have already promised to replace the night lamps, but I have to pay the shipping.
Looking forward to your insights and opinions!
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