Taobao vs Weidian vs 1688
The three Chinese marketplaces rep sellers use, side by side, with real numbers from 278,356 pieces on GRAILS.
Side by side
| Weidian | Taobao | 1688 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | A shop app that many rep sellers use for their own store | Alibaba's big consumer marketplace (Tmall is its brand side) | Alibaba's wholesale marketplace, for bulk and factory prices |
| Link looks like | weidian.com/item.html?itemID=… | item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=… | detail.1688.com/offer/….html |
| Pieces on GRAILS | 196,567 (71%) from 165 sellers | 81,701 (29%) from 43 sellers | 88 from 1 seller |
| Middle price on GRAILS | ¥288 (most ¥155 to ¥529) | ¥120 (most ¥90 to ¥188) | ¥108 (most ¥75 to ¥125) |
| Buy clicks on GRAILS, 30 days | 2,693 | 792 | 6 |
| Can you buy directly? | Usually not from abroad: use an agent | Usually not from abroad: use an agent | No: use an agent |
Which one should you use?
- Use whichever one the seller you trust lists on. The marketplace matters less than the seller: check them on the GRAILS seller ranking.
- Most rep sellers on GRAILS use Weidian (71% of pieces). Taobao pieces on GRAILS have a lower middle price (¥120 vs ¥288), from fewer sellers.
- All three need a shopping agent to buy and ship abroad. Paste any link into the converter to open it on every agent, or tap Buy on any piece on GRAILS.
- Check QC photos before you ship, whatever the marketplace: QC finder.
Questions
Is Weidian or Taobao better for reps?
Neither is better by itself; the seller matters more. On GRAILS 71% of pieces are on Weidian and 29% on Taobao, and Taobao pieces have a lower middle price (¥120 vs ¥288).
What is 1688?
Alibaba's wholesale marketplace. Few rep sellers list there: GRAILS has 88 pieces on 1688.
Can I buy on Weidian or Taobao without an agent?
Usually not from abroad. A shopping agent buys it for you, checks it and ships it.
How do I buy a Weidian or Taobao link?
Paste it into grails.fit/convert to open it on any agent, or find the piece on GRAILS and tap Buy.