Why I Changed My Online Store from “In Stock” to “Limited Supply” – A Chinese Herbal Business Owner’s Journey
This year marks my 14th year in the mugwort business With the pressure of storing three years’ worth of mugwort leaves and processed mugwort fluff , I’ve decided to change the product description on my Alibaba store from “In Stock” to “Limited Supply” starting next week. Behind this decision lies a story of struggles and reflections.
Back in 2009, the quality of our mugwort fluff was exceptional because we harvested smaller quantities and personally inspected every batch. Back then, the leaves were meticulously cleaned, with hardly any tiny stems left behind. But maintaining such high standards came at a cost – higher labor expenses and stricter quality controls meant paying more for premium leaves. I still remember one sweltering afternoon in the warehouse, sweating buckets while inspecting leaves, only to collapse from heatstroke afterward.
Our mugwort incense sticks gained popularity because of their precise year-to-fluff ratio. Loyal customers often returned and referred others to us. Yet, scaling up while maintaining quality became a dilemma. Higher production meant bigger warehouses, more staff, and greater financial risks. Could I handle that pressure?
Recently, sleepless nights and mounting stress pushed me to seek advice from my husband. His wisdom hit home: “A BMW and a QQ car both run on roads, but can you compare them?” We realized our target audience isn’t price-sensitive buyers. While competitors sell cheap “3-year-aged” incense sticks at 170 yuan for 100 boxes (with production costs under 10 yuan per box!), these low-quality products harm both sellers and buyers. Cheap incense often contains impurities, produces harsh odors, and even damages health – tarnishing the reputation of traditional moxibustion therapy.
Now I’m clear: My goal isn’t mass production, but sustainable growth. By focusing on:
Maintaining strict quality control
Nurturing existing customer relationships
Rejecting short-term profit temptations
My husband reminded me: “Premium products don’t need to compete with mass-market items.” Those willing to pay 8-9 yuan per box value authenticity – they’re not our target if they only care about price.
Though demanding, this approach works. Early mornings harvesting leaves, meticulous stem removal, and customer appreciation make it worthwhile. Like aged mugwort, true quality only improves with time.