Sugargoo Finds
As an avid runner constantly searching for quality athletic footwear at reasonable prices, I recently discovered an incredible purchasing method that combines China's largest wholesale platform with a specialized forwarding service. The Nike React Infinity Run has been on my radar for months due to its reputation for reducing injury risk and providing exceptional comfort, but international pricing often placed it beyond my budget. That's when I learned about Acbuy, a Chinese reverse purchasing platform that facilitates international buyers' access to 1688.com merchants.
Unlike traditional international shipping services, Acbuy specializes in what's known as "reverse purchasing" - essentially acting as a domestic Chinese buyer on behalf of international customers. This approach eliminates the language barriers and minimum order quantities that typically frustrate foreign shoppers attempting to purchase directly from 1688 suppliers. The platform handles everything from negotiation and payment to quality verification and consolidated shipping, creating a surprisingly seamless experience for overseas buyers.
What makes Acbuy particularly valuable is their understanding of the Chinese market dynamics. They recognize which 1688 suppliers are legitimate, which offer the best quality replicas (when that's what you're seeking), and how to navigate the platform's unique interface that remains almost entirely in Chinese without international customer support.
Before placing my order, I spent considerable time researching different 1688 suppliers offering the Nike React Infinity Run. The variance in pricing and claimed quality was substantial, ranging from suspiciously cheap options that likely offered poor quality to mid-range priced suppliers with numerous positive reviews from domestic Chinese buyers. Through Acbuy's recommendation system and my own investigation, I eventually selected a supplier from Putian, a city renowned for its footwear manufacturing expertise.
During this research phase, I discovered an incredibly helpful resource: this comprehensive spreadsheet
My actual purchasing process through Acbuy was remarkably straightforward. After creating an account on their platform, I simply provided the product link from 1688 along with my specifications (size, color preference, etc.). Within hours, I received a consolidated quote that included the product cost, domestic Chinese shipping to Acbuy's warehouse, their service fee, and estimated international shipping to my location.
The verification process was particularly impressive. Before accepting my payment, Acbuy's agent confirmed with the supplier that the specific model I wanted was in stock and provided detailed photos of the actual product. This pre-purchase quality check is something you rarely get when buying directly from Chinese platforms and significantly reduces the risk of receiving incorrect or substandard items.
After payment confirmation, the process moved swiftly. Acbuy placed the order and provided regular updates - from their receipt of the shoes at their warehouse to detailed quality inspection photos. The entire domestic process took approximately five days, after which my shoes were packaged for international shipping alongside other items I'd purchased (taking advantage of their consolidation service to reduce shipping costs).
When the Nike React Infinity Run arrived three weeks later (I'd chosen standard shipping to save costs), I was genuinely impressed with the quality. The React foam cushioning felt precisely as described in professional reviews, the flyknit upper provided comfortable support, and all the distinctive design elements of the authentic version were present. Having compared them side-by-side with a pair purchased domestically, I detected minimal differences that certainly didn't justify the significant price discrepancy.
The cost savings achieved through this purchasing method were substantial. Whereas the retail price for authentic Nike React Infinity Run in my country averages around $160, my total expenditure including all fees and international shipping came to approximately $75. This represents a saving of over 50% while still obtaining a high-quality product. The breakdown was as follows:
My experience purchasing the Nike React Infinity Run through Acbuy from a 1688 supplier was overwhelmingly positive. The process was more transparent than expected, the quality exceeded my anticipations given the price point, and the total timeline from order to delivery was reasonable for international shipping. For runners and athletic wear enthusiasts looking to maximize their budget without completely sacrificing quality, this purchasing method presents a compelling alternative to traditional retail.
I would particularly recommend this approach for those who:
Using resources like the finds.cheap spreadsheet