How to Use a Taobao Agent to Order From Taobao [Newbie's Guide]

Whether you're a beginner just starting out or an experienced professional, I’ll walk you through the entire process of using a Taobao agent, ensuring you can easily get started while avoiding common pitfalls.

1.  Place your order

Simply visit Taobao, Tmall, or any other Chinese e-commerce platform (as long as the agent supports purchasing from these platforms) and search for the products you wish to buy. Once you find the item, copy the product link and paste it into the input box provided by your agent platform. Clicking the link will directly take you to the product page, and the content will automatically be translated into English for easy viewing.

Next, click the "Add to Shopping List" button, which will add the product to your list (similar to a shopping cart).

What You Need to Consider In This Phase?

● Is Their Website Support multiple Languages?

Make sure the agent platform supports a language you are comfortable with. If the English translation is poor or there are sections you find hard to understand, it could lead to communication misunderstandings, affecting your shopping experience. Avoid agents with weak English skills, as this could cause unnecessary problems. If you are from Russia, Spain, France, Italy, Germany, or Poland, look for platforms that support your local language, or use a browser translation tool to make shopping easier.

● Is their website easy to use and navigate?

A website with clear navigation and user-friendly operations will greatly improve your shopping efficiency. When using the website, try to approach it from the perspective of someone who has never shopped online before. If the process is hard to understand or navigate, the agent platform might not be the right choice for you.

● Can This Agent Buy This Item For Me?

Before placing an order, make sure the agent platform supports purchasing the products you want. Be extra cautious if the products fall into categories like:

○ Restricted items

○ Large and heavy items

○ Virtual items

2. First Payment

After adding all the desired products to your shopping list, you’ll need to deposit the required funds into your account and pay for the products. This first payment will include the product cost and shipping fees to the agent’s warehouse in China.

What You Need to Consider In This Phase?

● Real-time or fixed exchange rates?

Different agents may use different exchange rate systems—some use real-time rates, while others use fixed rates. Considering the volatility of the Chinese yuan (RMB), it's advisable to choose an agent that offers the best exchange rates.

● Payment method: PayPal or Credit Card?

Agents usually offer various payment methods, including PayPal, bank transfer, Western Union, and WebMoney. Most users prefer PayPal for its convenience and security. PayPal offers buyer protection, which allows you to dispute and request a refund within 180 days after the purchase. Although PayPal has a fee of about 3%, it remains the most trusted payment option.

To maximize flexibility, it's wise to choose agents that offer multiple payment options. If you’re using an agent for the first time, it’s recommended to use PayPal for added protection. However, once you trust an agent, you might consider switching to other methods, such as Western Union or bank transfers, to save on fees.

3. Warehouse and Storage

Once the first payment is completed, the Taobao agent will purchase the items from the seller, and the items typically arrive at the agent’s warehouse within 2-5 days. Communication with your agent at this point becomes crucial. For example, if you want to reduce international shipping costs, you can ask the agent to unbox items to make the package lighter.

What You Need to Consider In This Phase?

● Does the agent provide QC (Quality Check) images?

For certain items, such as shoes or watches, QC images are essential to ensure there are no visible defects. Some agents offer free QC services, while others may charge for it. If you need QC images, confirm whether the agent provides this service for free.

● Does the agent offer free storage?

If you plan to combine items purchased on different dates, free storage becomes crucial. Not all agents offer free storage; some only provide 7 days of free storage. It's advisable to choose an agent that offers at least 30 days of free storage so you can consolidate multiple packages without incurring extra storage fees.

4. Second Payment and International Shipping

Once the items arrive at the agent's warehouse, the agent will inspect the products and send you a second payment notice via email, which includes international shipping fees. You will need to deposit funds into your account again to pay for the shipping costs. This is the final payment.

Once the payment is made, the agent will ship your package and provide you with a tracking number.

What You Need to Consider In This Phase?

● Are the shipping fees reasonable?

International shipping fees are an important factor. Choosing the right agent can ensure you receive competitive shipping rates. Most agents offer shipping calculators where you can estimate the shipping cost based on your destination and the weight of the package. Compare prices from different agents to find the best deal.

● Which shipping method should I choose?

When choosing a shipping method, consider these three key factors:

○ Delivery time:

Shipping options include DHL, UPS, EMS (China Express), postal services, and SAL (Sea-Air Combined Freight). Delivery times range from 5 days to several weeks, depending on the chosen method.

○ Price:

If time is of the essence and you want full tracking, faster shipping methods like DHL or UPS may be necessary. If you're on a budget and not in a rush, you can choose more affordable options like EMS or sea-air combined services (e.g., SAL).

○ Customs clearance difficulties:

Be aware of potential customs issues. For example, countries like Canada and certain European nations may have higher duties when using DHL, so choosing the right courier can affect how smoothly your package clears customs.

5. Receiving Your items

Typically, your package will arrive within 5 to 20 days, depending on the shipping method and the origin of the shipment.

What You Need to Consider In This Phase?

● Does the agent provide a tracking number?

Once your package ships, the agent will usually provide a tracking number and a link to the tracking website so you can monitor the shipping progress in real time. However, some sellers may not proactively provide this information or may only do so upon request. Therefore, it's advisable to confirm whether the agent will provide a tracking number at the time of order.

● How to clear customs if your parcel is being held?

While most packages clear customs without issues, a few may be held up. If that happens, you may need to pay customs duties. Some agents offer customs clearance services, paying the duties on your behalf, and you’ll just need to settle the fee when the package arrives. However, in some cases, you may need to go to your local post office to pay the duties yourself.

After-Sales Service

If you are dissatisfied with the products you receive, you can return them to the seller through the agent. However, not all agents offer return services. Some may charge additional fees or, due to high international shipping costs, make returns more expensive. Therefore, be sure to read the agent’s return policy before placing your order to understand the terms and potential costs.

Customer Service

In today’s complex business environment, customer service is crucial, especially when shopping internationally. Cultural differences and language barriers can make resolving issues more challenging. Throughout the shopping process, you may need to communicate multiple times with the agent, making quality customer service essential.

3 factors for determining taobao agent customer service quality

1.  Customer service hours:

Each agent has different customer service hours. Some offer 24/7 support, while others only operate during China’s business hours. This difference may cause inconvenience, especially if you have to wait for a response. Look for agents that clearly list their operating hours and have a local real-time clock on their website to help you plan your communication time.

2.  Customer service tools:

Multi-channel customer service is vital for timely communication. Given time zone differences, as a customer, I prefer to be able to contact the agent through multiple channels. If I send an email at 5 PM, I would like to follow up with a phone call or instant messaging (e.g., Skype, WhatsApp, online chat) within a reasonable time, not just rely on email responses.

3.  Responsiveness and attitude:

Quick responses and a positive service attitude are at the heart of a good customer experience. If problems arise, the agent should respond promptly and effectively. If the agent is slow to respond or shows a poor attitude, the problem will likely remain unresolved, causing frustration. Choose an agent with a sufficient customer support team and stable network infrastructure to avoid delays or handling issues by a single representative.

Final Words

By following the advice in this article, you should be able to find a reliable and high-quality Taobao agent. However, if you’d like to skip the hassle of filtering through options and go straight for a trusted agent, consider BuckyDrop.

As a one-stop cross-border e-commerce service platform, BuckyDrop offers not only efficient and transparent Taobao agent services but also takes care of everything from sourcing to international shipping. With a professional team, excellent customer service, and competitive prices, BuckyDrop is a reliable choice for international shopping.

BuckyDrop provides a complete dropshipping service tailored for merchants looking to run a global e-commerce business on Shopify. From procurement to shipping, BuckyDrop handles all fulfillment steps, allowing merchants to focus on sales and brand development.

● Vast Product Selection: BuckyDrop covers all Chinese e-commerce platform suppliers and products.

● Fast Order Processing: After customers place orders in your Shopify store, BuckyDrop will automatically send the order details to suppliers and start processing, saving merchants time and effort.

● Transparent Logistics Tracking: BuckyDrop offers real-time tracking services, so merchants and customers can check the shipping status at any time. BuckyDrop also partners with multiple logistics companies to provide end-to-end tracking from China to international destinations.

● Flexible Payment Options: BuckyDrop supports multiple payment methods, including PayPal, bank transfers, and credit cards, providing greater convenience for merchants and customers in different regions.

● Worry-Free After-Sales Service: If customers are dissatisfied with the products they receive, BuckyDrop offers easy returns and exchanges. Merchants can handle returns easily through BuckyDrop, reducing after-sales risks and improving customer satisfaction.

● Real-Time Customer Support: BuckyDrop provides one-on-one customer support for merchants, helping them resolve operational issues promptly and ensuring smooth business operations.

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