Product briefSpecification, quantity, destination and priority.
Shortlist & feasibilitySuitable supplier routes and eligibility checks.
Quotes & samplesComparable terms and a test against your requirements.
Approved sourcing planAgreed costs, responsibilities and next steps.
Order, inspection and shipping coordination can be scoped after the plan is agreed. Availability depends on the product, supplier and route.
Product Hunting · from evidence to a buying brief
Research the opportunity. Then research the supply.
Use consumer channels to understand the offer. Use business channels to investigate whether it can be sourced on workable terms.
01 / Demand, reviews & pricing
What would customers value?
Compare products, recurring review themes, variants and dated retail prices in your selling market. Ratings and rankings are signals to test, not verified sales volumes or a promise of profit.
Product gaps and customer expectations
Comparable offers, pack sizes and price ranges
A differentiation hypothesis and sample checklist
02 / Wholesale & manufacturer research
What would it take to supply?
Translate the concept into a specification. Compare company roles, minimum orders, samples, production capability and full landed cost before selecting a supply route.
Supplier identity, capability and manufacturing origin
MOQ, sample cost, customization and lead time
Evidence, destination eligibility and quoted terms
Samples, small orders, product discovery and eligible supplier-level dropshipping tests.
Market focus
Cross-border retail; strong China supply base
Check eligibility & limitations
Retail listings are not a blanket wholesale or dropshipping agreement. Shipping, payment, stock, rights and returns vary by seller, item and destination.
Sample, replacement-part, surplus and price research with condition checks.
Market focus
Multiple country-specific markets
Check eligibility & limitations
Distinguish new, used and refurbished stock. eBay permits wholesale-supplier dropshipping but prohibits listing first then buying from another retailer to ship to the customer.
Compare Chinese domestic wholesale offers and suitable source suppliers.
Market focus
China domestic
Check eligibility & limitations
Domestic orientation means language, payment, export documentation and shipping arrangements need checking; never promise universal overseas checkout or lowest landed cost.
Small wholesale orders and trial assortments in homeware, tableware, stationery, fashion and lifestyle products.
Market focus
Japan
Check eligibility & limitations
Business evidence and approval required. Japanese and international accounts have different delivery models. Check item eligibility, MOQ, fees, international shipping and import charges.
Take forward a product hypothesis, competitor and review findings, a target specification and cost range, plus the supplier questions needed to test feasibility.
BrownBag provides independent sourcing support. Platform access, supplier suitability, prices, minimum orders, payment methods and delivery options are checked for each request. Channel names and logos identify independent resources and do not imply affiliation or endorsement.
Compare more than the unit price
What belongs in a useful shortlist?
Separate supplier claims from evidence, and mark estimates with their assumptions and date.