Drop Pick

Cross-platform product selection and sourcing analysis for distributors and dropshippers. Uses opencli plugins (aliexpress, alibaba-api buyer API, amazon) to cross-analyze supply channels (Alibaba distribution + AliExpress dropshipping) against retail channels (Amazon) and generate structured product research reports with margin calculations. Use this skill whenever the user mentions product selection, product research, finding products to sell, sourcing analysis, cross-border e-commerce sourcing, dropshipping product research, "what should I sell", "find winning products", comparing Alibaba vs AliExpress pricing, analyzing Amazon competition for sourcing decisions, or any task involving evaluating products across supply and retail platforms.

Distributor Cross-Platform Product Selection

Business Model

text

Supply / Dropship Channels                Retail Channels
┌─────────────┐                    ┌──────────────────┐
│ Alibaba     │  Distribution      │ Amazon           │
│ buyer API   │  (preferred)       │ (pricing & demand │
│ tiered/MOQ  │ ──────────────────→│  reference)       │
├─────────────┤                    ├──────────────────┤
│ AliExpress  │  Dropship          │ Shopify / TikTok │
│ search/prod │  (test products)   │ Shop / Wix       │
│ zero stock  │ ──────────────────→│ (profit channels) │
└─────────────┘                    └──────────────────┘

Core principles:

• Alibaba buyer API returns distribution products (most with MOQ of 1) — always use this first
• AliExpress serves as a comparison supply channel (price benchmarking + dropship fallback)
• Amazon is used only as a retail reference (competitor pricing, market demand, trend validation)

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Prerequisites

Environment Variables

The Alibaba buyer API requires these environment variables:

text

ALI_APP_KEY=<your_app_key>
ALI_APP_SECRET=<your_app_secret>
ALI_ACCESS_TOKEN=<your_access_token>

If ALI_ACCESS_TOKEN is not set or has expired, run the authorization flow:

bash

# 1. Generate OAuth authorization URL
opencli alibaba-api auth-url "https://localhost/callback"
# 2. User authorizes in browser, obtains the code
# 3. Exchange code for token
opencli alibaba-api token-create "<code>"
# 4. Refresh expired token
opencli alibaba-api token-refresh "<refresh_token>"

Plugin Check

Before starting, verify all three plugins are installed:

bash

opencli plugin list

Required plugins: aliexpress, alibaba-api, amazon. Install any missing plugin with opencli plugin install <name>.

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Product Selection Workflow (5 Steps)

Step 1: Define Selection Criteria

Confirm the following with the user (use reasonable defaults if not specified, and inform the user):

Parameter	Description	Default
Category keywords	Product types to research	Driven by trend discovery
Target market	Country/region for retail	US
Retail channel	Amazon / Shopify / TikTok Shop, etc.	All channels
Budget range	Expected per-unit sourcing cost	No limit
Result count	Number of categories to recommend	5

If the user has no specific category in mind, use trend discovery first:

bash

# Amazon Movers & Shakers — short-term growth signals
opencli amazon movers-shakers --limit 50 -f json

# Amazon New Releases — early momentum
opencli amazon new-releases --limit 50 -f json

# Amazon Best Sellers — specific category
opencli amazon bestsellers "<category_url>" --limit 50 -f json

# Alibaba distribution trend lists
opencli alibaba-api buyer-list US_GGS_Trendy --size 50 -f json
opencli alibaba-api buyer-list US_GGS_Hotselling --size 50 -f json
opencli alibaba-api buyer-list alibaba_picks --size 50 -f json

Extract 3–5 high-potential category keywords from the results, then proceed to Step 2.

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Step 2: Supply Channel Data Collection

For each target category keyword, search Alibaba distribution products first, then AliExpress as a comparison.

2a. Alibaba Distribution Search (Priority)

bash

# Keyword search for distribution products
opencli alibaba-api buyer-search "<keyword>" --size 20 -f json

Returns: product_id, title, price, permalink

For products with suitable pricing, get details:

bash

# Product details — tiered pricing, SKUs, images
opencli alibaba-api buyer-desc <product_id> -f json

# Product attributes — material, dimensions, certifications
opencli alibaba-api buyer-attrs <product_id> -f json

# Product certifications — FCC/CE/UL, etc.
opencli alibaba-api buyer-cert <product_id> -f json

# Inventory check — by ship-from location
opencli alibaba-api buyer-inventory <product_id> --ship_from US -f json
opencli alibaba-api buyer-inventory <product_id> --ship_from CN -f json

2b. Special Inventory Channels (Fast Delivery)

bash

# Cross-border warehouse products (overseas warehouse, faster delivery)
opencli alibaba-api buyer-crossborder --size 30 -f json

# Overseas local warehouse products (US warehouse, 2–5 day delivery)
opencli alibaba-api buyer-local --size 30 -f json

# Local warehouse regular fulfillment
opencli alibaba-api buyer-local-regular --size 30 -f json

# Specific distribution product lists
opencli alibaba-api buyer-list US_CGS_48H --size 50 -f json    # US 48-hour delivery
opencli alibaba-api buyer-list US_GGS_48H --size 50 -f json    # US GGS 48-hour
opencli alibaba-api buyer-list US_GGS_POD --size 50 -f json    # Print on Demand
opencli alibaba-api buyer-list US_GGS_Branded --size 50 -f json # Branded distribution

Use buyer-desc to get details for returned product IDs.

2c. Similar Product Discovery

After finding a strong product, expand the selection pool with recommendations and image search:

bash

# Similar product recommendations
opencli alibaba-api buyer-rec <item_id> --type 2 --size 20 -f json

# Frequently bought together
opencli alibaba-api buyer-rec <item_id> --type 3 --size 20 -f json

# Image search — find same product from different suppliers
opencli alibaba-api buyer-image-search <item_id> --size 20 -f json

2d. AliExpress Dropship Data (Comparison)

bash

# Keyword search
opencli aliexpress search "<keyword>" --limit 20 -f json

Returns: product_id, title, price_text, discount_text, orders_count, rating

Get details for high-volume products:

bash

opencli aliexpress product <product_id> -f json

Returns: product_id, title, price_text, discount_text, orders_count, rating, store_name

---

Step 3: Retail Channel Data Collection (Amazon)

Use the Amazon plugin to get retail pricing, competitive landscape, and customer feedback.

3a. Search Competitors

bash

# Keyword search — understand competition and price ranges
opencli amazon search "<keyword>" --limit 20 -f json

Returns: asin, title, price_text, rating_value, review_count

3b. Validate Top Competitors

For the top 3–5 ASINs from search results, get details:

bash

# Product details
opencli amazon product <asin> -f json

# Seller and fulfillment info — FBA status, Amazon-sold check
opencli amazon offer <asin> -f json

# Review analysis — identify pain points and opportunities
opencli amazon discussion <asin> --limit 10 -f json

3c. Category Rankings

bash

# Category best sellers
opencli amazon bestsellers "<category_url>" --limit 30 -f json

# Movers & Shakers — growth signals
opencli amazon movers-shakers "<category_url>" --limit 30 -f json

# New Releases — new entrants
opencli amazon new-releases "<category_url>" --limit 30 -f json

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Step 4: Cross-Platform Analysis & Scoring

Aggregate data from all three platforms and score each candidate product on these dimensions:

Scoring Model (100 points max)

Dimension	Weight	Data Source	Scoring Criteria
Profit margin	30%	Alibaba buyer-desc tiered price vs Amazon retail price	Gross margin >70% = full score, 50–70% = medium, <50% = low
Market demand	25%	Amazon search review_count + bestseller rank	Reviews >5000 = full, 1000–5000 = medium
Competition intensity	15%	Amazon search result count + Amazon-sold ratio from offers	Fewer Amazon-sold, more fragmented sellers = higher score
Supply advantage	15%	Alibaba MOQ + inventory + overseas warehouse availability	MOQ ≤5 with US warehouse = full score
Differentiation potential	10%	Amazon discussion pain points + Alibaba buyer-attrs	Clear improvement opportunities = higher score
Trend direction	5%	Amazon movers-shakers rank changes	Upward trend = higher score

Profit Calculation Formula

text

Wholesale cost = Tiered price from Alibaba buyer-desc (MOQ 1 price)
Dropship cost  = price_text from AliExpress product
Retail reference = Median price of top 10 results from Amazon search
Shipping estimate = By category weight (light $2–3 / medium $4–6 / heavy $8+)

Gross margin (distribution) = (Retail ref - Wholesale cost - Shipping) / Retail ref × 100%
Gross margin (dropship)     = (Retail ref - Dropship cost) / Retail ref × 100%

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Step 5: Generate Report

Write the analysis results to a Markdown file with the following structure:

markdown

# Distributor Product Selection Report

**Date**: YYYY-MM-DD
**Target market**: <market>
**Categories**: <keyword list>
**Data sources**: opencli aliexpress / alibaba-api (buyer) / amazon

## 1. Category Recommendations Overview
<!-- Summary table: Rank, Category, Rating(★), Alibaba price, AliExpress price, Amazon retail price, Margin, Recommendation reason -->

## 2. Detailed Analysis by Category
### N. <Category> — <Rating>
#### Alibaba Distribution Data
<!-- Table: Product, Supplier, Tiered price, MOQ, SKU count, Overseas warehouse -->
#### AliExpress Dropship Comparison
<!-- Table: Product, Dropship price, Rating, Sales volume -->
#### Amazon Retail Competition
<!-- Table: ASIN, Product, Price, Rating, Reviews, FBA status -->
#### Profit Calculation
<!-- Table: Supply mode, Cost breakdown, Retail price, Gross profit, Margin -->
#### Customer Pain Points & Differentiation Opportunities
<!-- From Amazon discussion negative review analysis -->

## 3. Supply Mode Recommendations
<!-- AliExpress dropship vs Alibaba distribution: when to use which at each stage -->

## 4. Retail Channel Strategy
<!-- Analysis of which categories suit Amazon / Shopify / TikTok Shop -->

## 5. Action Items
<!-- This week / next week / ongoing: specific steps with product_ids -->

Save the report to product-research/product-selection-report.md in the working directory.

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Command Quick Reference

AliExpress (Supply / Dropship)

Command	Purpose	Key Parameters
opencli aliexpress search "<kw>" --limit N -f json	Search products	keyword, limit
opencli aliexpress product <id> -f json	Product details	product_id or URL

Alibaba Buyer API (Distribution Products — Use First)

Command	Purpose	Key Parameters
opencli alibaba-api buyer-search "<kw>" --size N -f json	Search distribution products	keyword, size
opencli alibaba-api buyer-desc <id> -f json	Product details (tiered pricing/SKU)	product_id
opencli alibaba-api buyer-attrs <id> -f json	Product attributes	product_id
opencli alibaba-api buyer-cert <id> -f json	Product certifications	product_id
opencli alibaba-api buyer-inventory <id> --ship_from US -f json	Inventory check	product_id, ship_from
opencli alibaba-api buyer-list <type> --size N -f json	List by type	product_type, size
opencli alibaba-api buyer-crossborder --size N -f json	Cross-border warehouse products	size
opencli alibaba-api buyer-local --size N -f json	Overseas local warehouse	size
opencli alibaba-api buyer-local-regular --size N -f json	Local warehouse regular fulfillment	size
opencli alibaba-api buyer-rec <id> --type 2 -f json	Similar product recommendations	item_id, type
opencli alibaba-api buyer-image-search <id> -f json	Image search	item_id
opencli alibaba-api buyer-channel-import "<ids>" --ecology_type SHOPIFY -f json	Import products to channel	product_ids, ecology_type
opencli alibaba-api buyer-events <id> --event_type PRODUCT_LISTED --channel AMAZON -f json	Listing event notification	product_id, event_type, channel

buyer-list product_type values: US_CGS_48H, US_GGS_48H, US_TOTAL_48H, US_GGS_Hotselling, US_GGS_POD, US_GGS_Branded, US_GGS_Trendy, MX_GGS_48H, EU_GGS_48H, crossborder, alibaba_picks

buyer-rec type values: 1 = image search, 2 = similar products, 3 = frequently bought together

buyer-inventory ship_from values: CN, US, UK, CA, AU, DE, FR, VN, TR

Alibaba Authorization

Command	Purpose
opencli alibaba-api auth-url "<redirect_uri>"	Generate OAuth authorization URL
opencli alibaba-api token-create "<code>"	Exchange auth code for access_token
opencli alibaba-api token-refresh "<refresh_token>"	Refresh expired token

Amazon (Retail Channel)

Command	Purpose	Key Parameters
opencli amazon search "<query>" --limit N -f json	Search products	query, limit
opencli amazon product <asin> -f json	Product details	ASIN or URL
opencli amazon offer <asin> -f json	Seller / fulfillment info	ASIN
opencli amazon discussion <asin> --limit N -f json	Review analysis	ASIN, limit
opencli amazon bestsellers [url] --limit N -f json	Best sellers	category URL, limit
opencli amazon new-releases [url] --limit N -f json	New releases	category URL, limit
opencli amazon movers-shakers [url] --limit N -f json	Movers & Shakers	category URL, limit

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Execution Notes

1. Always use -f json for all opencli commands for easy parsing and aggregation.
2. Alibaba buyer API commands require ALI_ACCESS_TOKEN. Check before execution; if not set or if an auth error is returned, guide the user through the OAuth flow.
3. The alibaba-api buyer commands are the core — always use buyer-search for distribution products, not product-search or product-list (those are seller-perspective, not distribution).
4. Get buyer-desc details for at least 3 Alibaba distribution products per category to ensure tiered pricing data is available for margin calculations.
5. Amazon data determines the retail price band — use the median price of the top 10 amazon search results as the pricing reference.
6. AliExpress data serves as a dropship cost benchmark — compare against Alibaba distribution pricing to quantify the cost advantage of distribution.
7. Timeout handling: opencli commands using browser scraping can be slow; set a 60-second timeout per command. Alibaba buyer API commands (Strategy: public) do not use browser scraping and are faster.
8. Pagination: use the --index parameter to paginate (starting from 0) when more data is needed.

Post-Selection Actions

After product selection is complete, use the Alibaba buyer API channel import feature to push distribution products directly to your store:

bash

# Bulk import selected products to Shopify
opencli alibaba-api buyer-channel-import "product_id1,product_id2,product_id3" \
  --ecology_type SHOPIFY -f json

# Notify Alibaba that a product has been listed on Amazon
opencli alibaba-api buyer-events <product_id> \
  --event_type PRODUCT_LISTED --channel AMAZON -f json

Supported channels (ecology_type): SHOPIFY, WIX, MERCADO, etc. Supported event notification channels (channel): SHOPIFY, AMAZON, TEMU, WALMART, SHEIN, MERCADO, etc.