For sneaker enthusiasts looking to purchase authentic Vans shoes at wholesale prices, 1688.com presents an excellent opportunity. As Alibaba's domestic Chinese platform, 1688 offers significantly lower prices than international retailers. However, navigating the Chinese-language site and arranging international shipping can be challenging. This is where Superbuy, a reliable Chinese purchasing agent, becomes invaluable. This guide will walk you through the entire process of buying Vans from 1688 using Superbuy's services.
1688.com is Alibaba's B2B platform primarily serving the Chinese domestic market, featuring numerous footwear manufacturers and distributors. While the platform offers substantial savings, especially when buying in quantity, it presents several obstacles for international customers: the interface is entirely in Chinese, most sellers don't accept international payment methods, and they typically don't offer overseas shipping. Superbuy bridges these gaps by acting as your personal shopping assistant in China.
Superbuy's service goes beyond simple translation – they provide quality verification, consolidation services, and negotiate with sellers on your behalf. Their platform is available in English and supports multiple international payment methods including PayPal and credit cards.
Begin by creating an account on Superbuy's website. The registration process is straightforward and requires basic information. Once registered, you'll have access to their dashboard where you can manage orders, track shipments, and communicate with customer service.
While you can browse 1688 directly using Google Translate, a more efficient method is using product sourcing sheets created by experienced shoppers. One particularly useful resource is the spreadsheet available at https://spreadsheet.help/, which contains verified Vans sellers on 1688 with direct product links. This spreadsheet is regularly updated with seller reliability ratings and specific product information.
When you find a Vans product you want to purchase, copy the product URL from 1688 and paste it into Superbuy's search bar. Their system will automatically fetch the product details. You'll need to specify size, color, and quantity. Superbuy's interface will display the product cost plus their service fee, which typically ranges from 5-10% of the item value.
After your order is placed, the seller ships your Vans to Superbuy's warehouse. This is where Superbuy's value truly shines – they offer optional quality check services where they photograph your shoes from multiple angles, inspect for defects, and verify authenticity. For an additional fee, they can even remove original packaging to reduce shipping weight. You can store items in their warehouse for up to 180 days, allowing you to consolidate multiple purchases into one international shipment.
Once your Vans arrive at the Superbuy warehouse, you'll select your preferred international shipping method. Superbuy offers various options including EMS, DHL, FedEx, and specialized lines like "Sensitive Goods" routes for branded items. Shipping costs depend on weight, dimensions, and destination country. Their shipping calculator provides estimates before you commit. For Vans shoes, expect to pay approximately $20-40 for shipping to most Western countries.
To illustrate potential savings, let's compare purchasing Vans Old Skool shoes:
| Cost Component | Retail Store | 1688 + Superbuy |
|---|---|---|
| Product Cost | $70 | $35 |
| Service Fee | N/A | $3.50 |
| Domestic Shipping | N/A | Free |
| International Shipping | N/A | $25 |
| Total | $70 | $63.50 |
While the savings on a single pair might be modest, the real value emerges when purchasing multiple pairs or limited edition styles not available in your local market.
Purchasing Vans from 1688 using Superbuy requires more steps than buying from a local retailer, but the potential savings and access to exclusive styles make it worthwhile for dedicated sneaker enthusiasts. The process might seem daunting initially, but Superbuy's English-friendly platform and customer support streamline the experience. Remember to consult community resources like the spreadsheet at https://spreadsheet.help/