I'd like to get a feel for those members that would be willing to help other members from their own country in understanding the laws and business practices associated with world trade.  I firmly believe that taking a few minutes a day and answering a few questions would help in many ways.   If your in the US or in the UK ect and you can speak Chinese and english fluently you can be of great help to others.  

1.) It would break down the language barriers.  It is sometimes hard for people in other countrys to fully express themselves when asking questions or even understanding the answers from those that are trying to help them.

2.) It will promote a better sense of community within the Alibaba community.  Theres nothing wrong with promoting another persons business when you know that person can supply a product that you can't.  By promoting someone else's product you may even be helping your self in the future.

3.) With a sense of community comes trust.  Those that want to scam or defraud wont be able to, as a result of suggesting good suppliers will drive them out of the community.

I'am not saying give your suppliers away but by involving ourselves in a free and open discussions we have a chance to know others and their businesses.  My forte is electronics, but I know other buyer agents in almost every other industry.  If I cant help them when they solicit my agency I refer them to someone that can help them, and if at all possible someone in their own country or close. 

So, if you have a few minutes a day and would like to help or even mentor someone send me an email to msfranger@hotmail.com and I will endeavor to match you up.  As not to take to much of your time I will not refer more than two people a week. 

Ranger 

Replying to [Ranger]:Sounds great, but what about us newbies in Oz? We'd love to have a mentor or someone point us in the right direction when we need a little guidance.

Replying to [Ozzy]:Thank you Ranger


Please we,d love to have a mentor or someone poin us in the right direction when we need little guidance


Thank you for your help


Yours in good health


Gregory F.de Graf

Int, Sales & Marketing Director

Fitness Warehouse Inc

Replying to [Ranger]:
Not bad idea, but it has no future.
Good luck!

Replying to [Andrey]:why do you say that?

Replying to [Andrey]:

How doesn't it have a future?

Replying to [Andrey]:

Hmmm. I would tend to disagree. Not only does this concept/idea have the potential to increase the overall knowledge of newbies, but it also has the potential to increase the customer base of the entire base of legitimate sellers in Alibaba (as well as possibly getting more business to the "helper").

I think that Ranger is on to something here. If we help each other to find the LEGITIMATE suppliers, then the scammers will not get enough "business" (scam business that is) and will leave. Wouldn't that be wonderful? At the VERY least it would increase business to the legitimate suppliers. Which is something that we all (as sellers and buyers) want to happen.

I have tried to help others here on the board in finding legitimate suppliers...and in doing so, people have told me that they'd send anyone they meet on Alibaba my way for the products I sell. That right there tells you that this plan could work. The folks found out whether or not their potential supplier was legit or not and I get a possible referral in the future. It is a win-win situation.

So, that is my feeling as to why this WILL work. Please explain why you think it won't.

--tworivers

Replying to [tworiverstradingco]:lets c if u get an educated response from Andrey

Replying to [Ranger]:Replying to [Ranger]: I think thats a great a idea but not sure if it'll work. Everyone in this forum is always quick to point out a scammer (which isn't a bad thing) but nobody here will recommed a supplier, with the exception of ranger (I've read a few topics where he has done so). The reasons are obvious, nobody wants to recommed a supplier because this would increase competion. As harsh as it sounds, scammers get rid of a lot of the competition in this business and obviously there are people that benefit from that. Apart from that I think it would also be a good idea not only to tuttor newbies but also instruct a lot of the overseas suppliers expecially in China with safer payment methods like paypal and escrow.com. A lot of them are trying to adapt to new methods of payment which a lot of their western buyers are demanding. The idea would defintly weed out most scammers but like i've said before I don't if people would be willing to give out their top secret info out of the "goodness of thier heart" but who knows, the sky's the limit

Replying to [Ranger]:
I think it's a great idea, if you need my help let me know

what about posting what each of us actually major in , then maybe we can help each others buisness?

Replying to [AcePC]:

Hey AcePC,

I don't think that Ranger really meant for individuals to part with their cherished suppliers. i agree with you on that point. I don't give out that information to people who are likely competitors either. I think, rather, that he meant that individuals help others with identifying companies that would be legitimate. I've done so many times. For companies that are well outside the scope of my business.

I feel that it is like this: I help you figure out if ABC Company is legit, even if ABC company does not supply the items I am sourcing for. You will be so happy to have found out A. that they are legit or B. that you found out that ABC was not legit BEFORE you did business with them. You MIGHT even be so happy that someone (me) helped you, that you might refer others to me. I in turn MIGHT get potential customers from you and the other number of people that MIGHT get referred to me. Also, at some point I might need someone's help finding a good supplier... so the cycle goes.

So, in short I don't think that Ranger meant for us to give away our contacts. I think he meant for individuals to help newbies find legitimate suppliers -- who are really business partners when you think about it. Hard enough to do when you speak the same language...even harder when it is a language you are not familiar with.

That's it from me. LOL

-- tworivers