Maria from Denmark wrote a topic as follows which triggered a hot discussion on Chinese suppliers.

http://resources.alibaba.com/topic/2371/CHINESSE_SUPPLIERS_BE_AWARE_.htm

As a local Chinese foreign trade manager with high credit standing, I can assure you that 99% of Chinese suppliers are honest and reliable. China is becoming the so called ' world factory' and ' manufacturing centre' owing to her low labour cost, which benefit billions of people worldwide every year. Countless buyers from worldwide coming to China for business opportunities every year, and some Chinese suppliers have to compete with their counterparts worldwide to meet the regulations of WTO. After China joined WTO in 2001, more and more Chinese suppliers are becoming trustworthy and reliable as they have realized that they have to improve the quality and service to compete with others.

However, some foreign buyers take it for granted that Chinese goods must be very cheap, so they cut down the prices to the least, incredibly low to make themselves profit more. In such cases, some Chinese businessman are forced to cheat you because they profit too less. If you don't have a win-win concept in your mind, you're bound to be cheated in China. There is an old Chinese saying like this: Low price doesn't match high-quality goods.

I totally agree what grigo---An Australian businessman said in a comment. Here is part of his comments on Chinese suppliers.

"Please don't put ALL Chinese Suppliers in one basket. For every BAD one there are MANY good, honest ones.I've been dealing with Chinese Suppliers for over 12 years now, and YES, I TOO got scammed by ONE years ago, (only small amount). Now I am in a position where I have representatives over there (Chinese), who find goods for me of the quality I want, the price I want, and if there were any problems, THEY FIX IT.
One of the BIGGEST problems I have found in my years of travelling over there, watching, listening, observing, is that Westerners almost ALWAYS screw the Chinese Manufacturers down in price. Thus Chinese only have ONE option in order to get the business. THEY CUT DOWN ON QUALITY. Very simple. The old saying - you get what you pay for!
For the sake of a few cents more per item, you CAN get quality. I even get quality goods from them which are SUPERIOR in quality than those made in teh local market. "

So the best solution for avoiding business scammers in China is to find a representative like me and get your Chinese supplier verified, by this way, you can have good cooperation with your Chinese suppliers!

Don't be scared in dealing with Chinese suppliers, I can help you at all times! Come on and you'll profit a lot in the near future!

Replying to [onthego]:
Have you ever been to Canton Fair?
In case you do not know too much about China and its market. It's very easy to come across scammers online. 99% of the scammers will take Internet as a good tool in China this is why you do not agree on my statement here. Tell me your detailed buying information, we may offer you a free sourcing service in China for the first time. Take care, you have to do more Due Diligence work before payment. We've been cheated by two USA companies, so what do you think of USA businessmen? There are 1.3 billion people in China you have to note that.

Replying to [Business in China]:
Im agree with your statement.But in short term. May be not in a long term bussiness.

Replying to [Business in China]:
I agree the 99% of Chinese supplier are honest, but I think not 99% Chinese supplier are reliable. Because.......

Replying to [Business in China]: I think the experience of Lisa is authentic. I tried to do business with some Gold Suppliers. But what do you think of a seller that poses to be a manufacturer, that cannot send samples, that cannot make a professional invoice and later admits to be only a reseller, and finally wants you to pay in a private account on an address that is unrelated to any "business information" advertised on Alibaba.com ? I had to call of the deals. Lisa went along and got robbed.

Replying to [Business in China]:

99% may be a bit high.. but in principle, I would say that the majority are legit chinese suppliers.

Coming back to some bad experiences with Gold Members here, I would recommend to check chinese products manufacturers here:

http://www.sourcingreview.com/

I see somewhere that this web site is ranked #1 in the world in terms of trust.

For those whou will attend to the Canton Fair, some tips here:

http://www.sourcingreview.com/tradeshow_review.php

Hope it helps,

BWA

Replying to [Business in China]:why are transactions done t/t and not l/c or 50% up front and 50% on bill of laden, especially if you are new to the supplier and know very little. Yes can you help me, becauce I am very interested in starting import business in china.

Replying to [lens]:thanks for your posting, it was warned me as well and to do great research first

Replying to [pablo007]:

Please feel free to contact us for any question related. Our job is to save you more and reduce the risks in your business in China!

Replying to [Business in China]: BC, I do not believe I have replied here before but, I dont believe that 99% of the businesses in any country are honest and reliable. I would say that if you eliminate the 64,000+ businesses in Fujian Province that the % would go up some. That is not to say that all business in Fujian Province are dishonest. You can make some good buys there if you are looking for agricultural products, but clothes, shoes, chemicals and electronics are not items to be sought in that province.

Regards,

Ranger

Replying to [Roy The Boy]:



L/C is the most secure form of payment for both buyers and sellers.