We covered Alibaba alternatives, the UK, and France in previous articles. You might be wondering why there are different articles about the same company ‘Alibaba.com.’ The reason is that Alibaba has different locations across the globe and all of them slightly differ from each other. In this article we will be focusing on Alibaba Germany and provide a few answers about the company and the way they operate.
How many offices does Alibaba have?
In total, Alibaba has 15 office locations around the world. The Chinese B2B platform is located internationally, which makes it possible to facilitate cross-border e-commerce between Europe and China. Therefore, Chinese consumers can access ‘Made in Europe’ products and visa versa, allowing European businesses to reach a vast Chinese consumer market. Alibaba’s strategy of having different versions of its platform allows the company to reach a wider audience and cater to users’ unique needs in each market. As a business owner in Germany, you might consider using Alibaba Germany to launch your new product, so let’s look at frequently asked questions about the German version of Alibaba and see if this is the B2B platform you want to use.
Does Alibaba Germany exist?
The answer is yes. Alibaba Germany is the German version of Alibaba and has offices in Frankfurt and Munich. However, the Alibaba Group has other locations across Europe too, including one in the UK.
What are the differences between Alibaba Germany and Alibaba UK?
Below are 4 main differences between the two Alibaba Groups:
1. Target Market
The main difference between Alibaba Germany and any other Alibaba platforms across Europe is that the German version of Alibaba focuses on the German market. Therefore, there are also European suppliers on Alibaba Germany that are companies from Germany. However, just because Alibaba is located worldwide, including in Europe, does not mean that most of its suppliers are based in Europe. Always remember that Alibaba is a Chinese B2B platform, and its leading suppliers are located in Asia, especially in China, Vietnam, and India.
2. Language
If you are a user of Alibaba Germany, it would be beneficial to speak German, in case the chosen supplier only speaks German. As mentioned above, most of Alibaba’s suppliers, even though they have locations in different parts of the world, are Asian-based. Therefore, English is the primary language to use.
3. Payment Methods
When using the German version of Alibaba, be aware that the payment options differ from Alibaba UK. In Germany, users must pay either with Klarna or a bank transfer. If you are using Alibaba Germany outside of Europe, this could lead to delays in the transfer due to the difference in the currency.
4. Shipping duration
Due to Brexit and the UK not being in the European Union anymore, post offices may not operate as fast as before England exited the EU.
Is Alibaba German trustworthy?
Alibaba Germany uses different tools to create a safe environment for clients. Below are three measures to gain trust in using their platform
1. Buyer protection:
Alibaba Germany offers multiple types of buyer protection programs, including a money-back guarantee and a dispute resolution process.
2. Seller verification:
The German version of Alibaba verifies the identity of all sellers to make sure everything is safe and in order before they are allowed to list products on their platform
3. Secure payment processing:
Alibaba Germany uses a secure payment processing system to protect customer data and transactions, including PayPal, Klarna, and fast bank transfers.
Overall, Alibaba Germany may be considered a trustworthy online marketplace. However, risks are always involved, and to ensure buyers are not getting scammed, it is essential to do the extra work and invest time in researching the seller’s profile.
Another thing, among all Alibaba Groups, German Alibaba has the least positive reviews regarding safety and trust. Let’s see why:
Alibaba German Reviews: 2.0 Stars on Trustpilot
1. Shipping delays
An Alibaba User mentioned that there was a major delay in receiving his electrical wheelchair. Instead of 2 weeks, it arrived 5 months later and in bad condition. The user also states (translated from German into English): “No employee from Alibaba takes care of their customers. I had to pay for the damage myself.”
However, these are reviews from the German Alibaba on Trustpilot only. Keep in mind that Alibaba’s general Trustpilot rating is 4.3, which can be viewed as if users are generally satisfied with Alibaba.com. Ratings are a testament to the platform’s wide product selection, dependable suppliers, and seamless buying experience. However, potential users should delve into customer reviews to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the platform’s strengths and areas for improvement. These insights can prove invaluable in determining whether Alibaba German aligns with their specific business requirements and expectations.
2. Lack of customer service
Another user shares negative experience where he ordered something on Alibaba Express, he paid with PayPal, but the product was not functioning. Therefore, he has been trying to get in touch with Alibaba about it but claims the following: (translated from german into English): “It is almost impossible to have a decent dialogue between Alibaba and the suppliers. Within a short time, you will be directed to some Chinese website”.
What are the differences between Alibaba and AliExpress?
Alibaba and AliExpress are both online marketplaces that are part of Alibaba Group, but they have different target audiences and product offerings.
Alibaba is a B2B marketplace, which means that it is primarily used by businesses to source products from other businesses. Its wide range of large products like industrial equipment and raw materials make Alibaba known for larger businesses instead of individual clients. The prices of Alibaba’s products are typically higher than on Aliexpress.
AliExpress is a B2C marketplace, which means that it is primarily used by consumers to purchase products from businesses. It is known for its low prices on its available products. Products on AliExpress include home goods, electronics and clothes. Most of their products are ‘Made in China’, which could lead to delays in receiving products.
How much does it cost to buy on Alibaba Germany?
As a buyer, you are free to join Alibaba.com. Beware that you are not buying from Alibaba itself but directly from the chosen supplier. That being said, just because joining Alibaba does not cost anything initially does not mean there are no other costs to consider. These costs are usually related to product sampling, product development costs, and minimum order quantities (MOQs).
How much does it cost to sell on Alibaba Germany?
Alibaba offers different plans for sellers on their platform. Currently, those three options can be seen in their Pricing feature on the Alibaba.com webpage:
What are the main benefits of Alibaba Germany?
1. Wide range of products and suppliers:
On Alibaba Germany there are currently over 200 million products listed for sale, therefore businesses may be able to find almost everything they want.
2. Competitive prices:
Suppliers on Alibaba Germany are usually very competitive when it comes to their prices. The reason why is that they are competing with millions of other suppliers on the platform.
3. Global reach:
Alibaba Germany has a global reach, with suppliers from all over the world. This means that businesses can source products from the best suppliers, regardless of their location.
Overall, Alibaba Germany is a great option for businesses of all sizes that are looking to save money, find a wide range of products, and get convenient ordering and payment. German businesses can also benefit from Alibaba Germany’s specific focus on the German market. However, from all of the above information, there may be a final question:
Is Alibaba Germany popular?
A user on Quora, who mentions that he has been working in the B2B sector himself, answered the question on Quora with the following: ‘If the platform was highly popular among German businesses, I would have probably noticed it in one form or another.’
Alibaba Germany vs. Wonnda:
While Alibaba Germany provides a vast global marketplace, its emphasis lies in offering a diverse range of products with a focus on cost-effectiveness. However, brands seeking more tailored solutions, particularly in consumer goods manufacturing and private label production within Europe, may find Wonnda a more suitable choice.
Wonnda’s platform is designed to align with European market standards, granting access to a network of verified suppliers and a streamlined digital process for product sourcing and project management. You can sign up for free and create an account on Wonnda.
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Alibaba Europe compared
If you’re interested in reading about Alibaba in other countries as well as Alibaba alternatives, we also have written other articles, which you can access through the list below: