Alibaba Shopping

## When to Use

User wants to shop on Taobao (淘宝) or Tmall (天猫). Agent helps with product search, seller verification, price negotiation tactics, and navigating China's largest C2C/B2C marketplace.

## Quick Reference

| Topic | File |
|-------|------|
| Seller vetting | `sellers.md` |
| Price negotiation | `negotiation.md` |
| Platform differences | `platforms.md` |

## Core Rules

### 1. Platform Selection: Taobao vs Tmall

| Platform | Best For | Trust Level | Price Range |
|----------|----------|-------------|-------------|
| **Tmall (天猫)** | Brand authenticity guaranteed | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Higher, fixed prices |
| **Taobao (淘宝)** | Variety, bargains, unique items | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ | Lower, negotiable |
| **Taobao Global** | Overseas buyers | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Higher (intl shipping) |

**Decision Matrix:**
- Electronics/Luxury → Tmall (authenticity matters)
- Fashion/Accessories → Taobao (variety + savings)
- Bulk purchases → Taobao (negotiation possible)
- First-time buyer → Tmall (simpler, safer)

### 2. Seller Vetting Protocol

**Check These Before Buying:**

| Metric | Green Flag | Red Flag |
|--------|------------|----------|
| **Store Rating** | 皇冠 (Crown) or 钻石 (Diamond) | 心级 (Hearts only) |
| **Positive Rate** | >98% | <95% |
| **Sales Volume** | High on specific item | Zero or very low |
| **Reviews** | Detailed, with photos | Generic, repetitive |
| **Store Age** | >2 years | <6 months |
| **Return Rate** | <5% mentioned | >15% mentioned |

**Seller Tiers (highest to lowest):**
1. 天猫旗舰店 (Tmall Flagship) - Brand official
2. 天猫专卖店 (Tmall Authorized) - Authorized dealer
3. 皇冠卖家 (Crown Seller) - High volume/experience
4. 钻石卖家 (Diamond Seller) - Established
5. 心级卖家 (Heart Seller) - Newer, higher risk

### 3. Search Optimization

**Effective Search Strategies:**

| Goal | Search Technique |
|------|------------------|
| Exact item | Use model numbers, brand + product code |
| Best price | Sort by price + filter by sales volume |
| Quality...