I find it is very difficult to verify a seller is serious or not.  I have encountered several sellers before, but they proved to be bogus companies.

Can someone tell me how to find a serious seller and how to verify them according to your own experience?

Replying to [hurricane]:A seller was serious could be seen from:
1.
A seller will not want loss
meaning that: if a seller said him gave free the shipping charge to you were upper product that was bought by you from the seller, the seller was not serious and the big liar.
2.
A seller will not want sold product him with the difference of the price that quite far from the price in market.
meaning that: if the price coffee 1kg in the market USD3.00 and the seller give the price far more cheaper that is USD1.00 meant this seller was not serious and the big liar

Replying to [hurricane]: The only way to know if a seller is serious, if you are in his present and see the product for yourself, otherwise you are merely on trust. If you can see previous documents with transactions he has done. Most sellers will not issue these documents.

Replying to [hurricane]:I haven't had much experience with this but if a company is legitimate they will be able to accept credit card payments or send merchandise then bill you. The ones to avoid are those wanting payment by Western Union since you can't put a claim against them with Western Union. Also check with the Better Business Bureau. I hope this helped.

Replying to [hurricane]: we pay to fly our buyers in to inspect there goods when the can provide with a LOC form a US verified bank.

I THINK WE HAVE THE SAME `PROBLEM .ACTUALLY AS A CHINESE BASED FACTROY ,I GET INQUIRES AND SOME OF THE PEOLEARE REALLY BUSINESS CLOWNS . sO I WILL ASK YOU TO DOUBLE CHECK FROM THE CHINESE COMMERCIAL CONSULTATE OF THAT COUNTRY . YOU COULD SEND THE BUYERS INFORMATION .ASK THE BUYER TO GO COLLECT AN INFORMATION HE ASKED FOR FOR VERIFICATIONS .THEN I THINK THE CONSULATE WILL NOW CHECK THE NECESSARY COMPANY DOCUMENTS OF THAT PERSON .THIS IS WHAT I HAVE DONE A COUPLE OF TIME AND IT HAS WORKED .

Replying to [hurricane]:
Banks gives confidential reports of the Seller/Buyer,by charging a small fees.

Replying to [hurricane]:
yes dear you can find serrious seller following as under:

1-first bargin about offer/price,
2-terms of payment must be lc at sight
3-inspection by sgs at loading port at time of shipment

if seller is serrious he will accept otherwise run away..

Replying to [hurricane]:

Re: How to verify if a seller is serious: any tips?
Replying to [hurricane]: As my International experience,I have faced many many sellers and buyers. The first glance to see is whether immediate response is getting from a seller for our requirement. Second is the price and the way he has submitted the offer. Third is whether his offer is a commanding way offer or a normal way offer How his response to our request is important. If he is really a serious seller he will not give delay in his reply and he will supports with all required documents to us.

1) ask for catalogues, Ask for copy of international certifications, ask technical questions, get some one else in the city to verify suppliers crdentials. With the above documents and info in hand, you should have a fair idea of if the supplier is real or not. To keep yourself safe, always try and pay by LC and include Pre shipment inspection in the LC as a clause.

Replying to [hurricane]:

when a seller has a product you can see and sample or you have photograph
if they say that you could visit their place of business and pick you up from the airport and drop you back to the air port after your visit and see for your self what kind of stock they are selling and how they sell and send pack etc the product