I’m sure like the rest of you one of the first things I do is look at Google Earth or Google maps for the company / address. (If you are not using this method it is free and will provide you great insight.)

Although sometimes you get no reference at all; anybody got any ideas?


Kind Regards,

John Tovatt

Replying to [PlantWatcher]: Down looking mapping has very little probative value unless it is simply a residential in home office, or a scammer that has no clue about what they are doing. Also its been proven time and again that scammers will use actual addresses of real businesses and their legal documents but still use alternate contact numbers and bank accounts.

Actually if you choose to do business with any company that has not been established for sometime your taking that risk. Mitigating that risk at time can take several weeks to several months.

Ranger

Replying to [PlantWatcher]:

Replying to [PlantWatcher]:
In my eyes,before you get the ADD,just GOOGLE,not enough!
It is the best to take your visiting by yourself!Directly to find your product!

Replying to [PlantWatcher]:

I think the google is very good.I am used it to looking for my business information. it is my good friends and study dictionary.I'd like to use it that the google help me to search for any information include customer's data or company information etc.liked every website if it could be bring good information.
[Mod edit - For your own safety please don't post contact information on the public forum . Users can contact you through the Trade Manager.]

Replying to [PlantWatcher]:May be the reason google does not give you reference due to sattelite out of range address of business where scammer alibaba register information one place. email id one place so it hard to figure out specially 3rd world country where limited technology access. all the best

Replying to [PlantWatcher]:

search in GOOGLE to check it exist or not first, and then get more
information about that.
For more... Wikipedia...

Replying to [PlantWatcher]:

hello,
I am in contact with a company in indonsia and I am closing
a deal for a small order fo 6 units.The company has provided street address,bank andress and does busines buy bank transfer.

1)What other backround research can be conducted
to determine the companys legitimacy?

2)how safe or bank money transfers,what is the entire procedure

3)How can I utilize google for searching.

Quoting from [ja56mes]:


1)What other backround research can be conducted

to determine the companys legitimacy?


2)how safe or bank money transfers,what is the entire procedure


3)How can I utilize google for searching.

1. An on site visit of the suppliers location will be the best way to determine a company's legitimacy. Of couse you can identify that they actually exist and actually produce the products that they claim to produce. You can also get an idea of their capacity, quality, management, and potential problems. Of course the cost of a trip to Indonesia to do this yourself is likely going to be prohibitive so your best bet is to see if you can find someone on the ground there that you can trust and that can help you. Contact me through the TradeManager as I may be able to put you in touch with someone who may be able to help you.

2. Payment process is only as safe as the honesty of the receiver or your ability to remove risk by ensuring that you have safeguards in place such as an inspection before payment. If you can't or don't want to arrange this then there will be risk and of course you want to manage this. For a first order to an otherwise unknown supplier you best avoid cash transfers such as Wetsern Union or TT by bank. L/C is a good option if the overall order value is high but is not so good for small orders. Perhaps escrow.com, payment through a trusted third party (as per point 1 above), or even Paypal may be preferrable to cash transfers.

3. Google will only have limited applicability as it will likely only show anything if someone has reported being scammed by the company. A nil result for scam information does not mean that the company is honest.

Trading companies and third party agents often earn the scorn of buyers who see more potential in savings by dealing direct with suppliers, but this comes at a cost to security.

If it is your first dealings with Indonesia and with this company in particular then perhaps dealing through a trusted third party may be the best option.

Replying to [Egernia]:


Dear Egernia,


Thanks for your overall information. I learn quite a lot from yours.


Best Regards,

Yvonne

Mod edit - Sorry Yvonne please don't post your contact information on the forum for your own protection. Contact can be made through the trade manger.

Replying to [PlantWatcher]: If you're not sure about a company you should check whit Register of Commerce (State institution) from that country to find all data about that company.