Most FBA sellers lose money before they even list their first product. Here's what I see over and over:

1. Going straight to Alibaba and picking the cheapest supplier

Cheapest ≠ best. The lowest quote usually means corner-cutting on materials, packaging, or QC. Always get 3-5 quotes and compare samples.

2. Not verifying the factory

Trading companies pretend to be factories. Ask for factory photos, business licenses, and do a video call. Or better yet — have someone on the ground verify.

3. Skipping pre-shipment inspection

You're shipping 2,000 units across the ocean. A $200 inspection saves you from a $10,000 mistake. Every. Single. Time.

4. Ignoring MOQ negotiation

First-time sellers accept the first MOQ they're given. Everything in China is negotiable — quantities, payment terms, packaging, even shipping.

5. Not having a backup supplier

Your main supplier misses a deadline or raises prices? If you don't have a Plan B, your listing goes dark and your ranking tanks.

I've been sourcing products from China for years. If you're launching or scaling on Amazon and want reliable suppliers without the guesswork — that's what we do at Lara Source.