I call it "Loyalty Tax", Australia is terrible for it.
Shop around every year as most of these brands are just identical white labeled policy underwritten by the same insurer.
One trick I stumbled across last year was comparing prices on an aggregator (eg I used iSelect), and not buying. Then the agent called the next day and offer a 15% discount on my already cheaper price.
I'm an Amazon Seller myself - the reason that other sellers add to the listing with products for sale (with crazy price), is they get access to all the metrics on the listing, traffic, conversion rate etc etc. It's a ploy to get access to the sales data.
I worked (illegally) as a restaurant dishwasher at a ski resort in Spain. You'll learn fast if you are totally immersed and need to communicate to work. ;)
For a quality supplier, it's not in their interest to sell you rubbish. If you make money and are successful, then so are they. Get to know them really well but make sure you get lots of samples. In saying that, some just don't sell quality products, it's up to to filter them. You can also hire people to do Quality Assurance testing at the factory on your orders.
From experience - really really research your suppliers as these will make of break your business. Many 'suppliers' on Alibaba, are not manufacturers just on-sellers. Also use other non-alibaba methods of sourcing suppliers, hire sourcing agents who speak the lingo and help vet the factories for you. Also focus on quality.. don't sell junk ;)
After years of lurking HN, thought I'd share my friend's project: For over 40 years, Architect Rafael Araujo has been crafting these amazing illustrations of nature, entirely by hand.