As hockey fans seek authentic yet affordable NHL jerseys, many are turning to Chinese wholesale platforms like 1688 through proxy services such as Kakobuy. This guide walks you through purchasing New York Islanders gear while benefiting from bulk pricing and trusted procurement.
Understanding the 1688-to-Kakobuy Pipeline
Unlike Alibaba's international-facing platform, 1688.com (Alibaba's domestic wholesale site) offers significantly lower prices but requires Chinese payment methods and shipping addresses. Kakobuy bridges this gap by:
- Providing a local Chinese warehouse address
- Handling RMB currency conversion
- Consolidating multiple orders
- Offering quality inspection services
Step-by-Step Purchase Process
1. Research Product Listings
Search for "纽约岛人队球衣" (New York Islanders jersey) on 1688. Focus on sellers with:
- Minimum order quantities (MOQ) under 5 pieces for personal orders
- 100+ transaction history
- "OnePiece Shipping" option for samples
For curated listings, refer to this product spreadsheet
2. Using Kakobuy's Services
Create a Kakobuy account and follow these steps:
- Submit Purchase Request: Paste 1688 product links into Kakobuy's order form
- Price Verification: Agents will confirm bulk pricing (expect 40-60% cheaper than retail) Make Payment: Pay via PayPal/credit card including:
- Product cost
- Domestic China shipping (¥8-¥15 per jersey)
- 3% service fee
3. Quality Control & Shipping
Kakobuy offers three inspection levels for hockey jerseys:
Service Tier | Details |
---|---|
Basic Check | Verifies logo embroidery, NHL patches, sizing tags (free) |
Includes fabric inspection and stitch checking (¥15 per item) |
Cost Breakdown Example
For blank blue New York Islanders jerseys (2023 design):
- 1688 price: ¥120 each (MOQ 3)
- Kakobuy fee: ¥3.60 per jersey
- China domestic shipping: ¥12
- International shipping (DHL): ¥140 for 1kg (3 jerseys)
- Total per jersey: ~$28 vs. $120+ retail
Important Considerations
- Customs Declarations: Request Kakobuy to declare under $20 per package to avoid duties
- Sizing Differences: Chinese XL typically fits like US L
- Hassle-Free Alternative: Purchase from pre-vetted suppliers
Why Kakobuy Outperforms Other Agents
Compared to Superbuy or Wegobuy, Kakobuy specializes in:
Sports Apparel Procurement
Private Warehouse Storage
Seamless Returns
By leveraging 1688 wholesale pricing through Kakobuy's bilingual purchasing platform, smart shoppers can acquire genuine hockey jerseys at fractional costs. Always cross-reference stitching patterns and material details against official NHL specifications before finalizing orders.
Pro Tip: Look for sellers offering "直接上品" (ready stock) for immediate shipment. Custom name/number printing often doubles production time.