Case Study - SpinCent
1. Identify a product you would like to Import. Visit www.alibaba.com, go to the advanced search field, and enter it. Select required criteria and click on "Search." Review the list of companies that qualify Find a suitable seller. Analyze this process for ease, usefulness, and potential value.
2. List, in separate columns, the benefits and costs of using sites like Alibaba to trade internationally. What does your analysis say to companies like SpinCent (our opening case) as they develop an export plan?
3. Visit www.atibaba.com, www.trade-Indla.com, and www.europages.com. Compare and contrast these Web sites from the view of the seller to the buyer.
4. Do you think most trade between countries and companies might eventually take place through sites like Alibaba.com? If so, does that Influence your Interest In Importing and exporting?
5. How transparent do sites like Alibaba.com make Import-export transactions? Would you still worry about fraud?