Online shopping has become a global phenomenon, and platforms like 1688 (Alibaba’s domestic wholesale site) offer incredible deals, especially for luxury brands like ETRO. However, purchasing directly from 1688 can be challenging for international buyers due to language barriers and shipping restrictions. This is where Hoobuy, a reliable Chinese forward-purchasing and proxy service, comes into play. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of using Hoobuy to buy ETRO products from 1688.

Why Use Hoobuy?

Hoobuy acts as a middleman between international shoppers and Chinese e-commerce platforms like 1688, Taobao, and Tmall. Here’s why it’s a great choice:

• No Language Barrier: Hoobuy’s team communicates in English. No Mandarin? No problem!
• Global Shipping: They ship to over 200 countries, handling customs and logistics.
• Quality Control: Hoobuy inspects items before shipping to ensure authenticity (critical for luxury goods like ETRO).
• Consolidation: Combine multiple orders into one package to save on shipping.

Step 1: Find ETRO Products on 1688

1688 is a goldmine for bulk and discounted luxury fashion, but navigating it requires strategy:

1. Search “ETRO” in Chinese (use “ETRO 女装” for women’s wear or “ETRO 男装" for men’s).
2. Filter results by price, seller reputation (look for “金牌卖家” meaning Gold Supplier), and transaction volume.
3. Check product details closely—photos, materials, and sizing (Chinese sizes often run smaller!).

Pro Tip: For pre-vetted ETRO listings, refer to this crowdsourced spreadsheet

Step 2: Submit Your Order via Hoobuy

Hoobuy offers two purchase methods:

Method A: Manual Order Submission (Best for Beginners)

1. Sign up on Hoobuy’s website.
2. Paste the 1688 product link into their “Order for Me” form.
3. Specify color/size and your max budget (include a 5–10% buffer for price fluctuations).

Method B: Self-Service Purchase (Advanced)

1. Buy directly on 1688 using Hoobuy’s warehouse address as the delivery destination.
2. Input your Hoobuy-assigned customer code in the order notes for tracking.

Step 3: Payment and Shipping

Hoobuy accepts PayPal, credit cards, and Bitcoin. After payment:

• They’ll verify the item(s) within 1–3 days (expect messages if there are stock issues).
• Once received at their warehouse, Hoobuy will send QC photos (approve or request returns).
• Choose shipping: Express (DHL/UPS) for speed or Economy (China Post) for budget.

Pitfalls to Avoid

Why 1688 Over Other Platforms?

While ETRO is available on Taobao and JD.com, 1688 often has lower prices by cutting middlemen. For instance, an ETRO silk scarf might cost ¥800 on Taobao but ¥600 on 1688 for the same supplier. Trade-offs include longer waits (3–7 days processing) and less polished storefronts.

Final Tip: For time-sensitive purchases, message Hoobuy’s live chat first to confirm stock. Their team usually replies within 2 hours (GMT+8).