9 tips for buying iPods wholesale...
Post 1 of 116
1. NEVER buy from asia, ever. Apple does not export the iPod to china, so why would China have great deals on wholesale ipods? Either their fake or greymarket, either way your screwed. Believe me, it is not worth your time looking for asian suppliers of products like these. Instead, stay within your own country like the US.
2. Don't fall for rediculously low prices. The cheapest you can possible get the new 8gb nanos is around $210 - $215 a piece and you have to buy about 25 - 50 total to get that kind of pricing. Anyone offering you 8gb nanos for $150 a piece is nothing but a stone cold crook. To get pricing anywhere near that, you'd have to do a PR(Production Run) from Apple for about 10,000 - 100,000 iPods and even then, your probably looking at $160 - $165 a unit.
3. Always and I mean, ALWAYS use some form of secured payment for your first order and probably for your 2nd, 3rd and 4th. Escrow.com is the best and use only them, I can't think of another escrow company I trust. If they don't accept escrow, back off. Credit cards are not always 100% secured so make sure you check with your bank first.
4. NEVER USE WESTERN UNION OR T/T!! Not ever. Only use bank transfer if you have done multiple and I mean multiple transactions with them. Even then, you are still at great risk for fraud.
5. Use paypal with EXTREME caution. You may think you are secured because paypal will refund you if you don't get your products. What you don't know, you will only get a refund IF the scammer still has your money in his account, which is rare. I've heard a lot of scam stories of people who paid with paypal only to never get any products and when they would file a complaint with paypal, paypal would come back saying their is no money in their account for a refund.
6. Research your company, THROUGHLY! Simply calling the guy and saying well he sounds nice and genuine isn't going to cut it. Your best bet is to check them out on the many wholesale forums out there like this one, bw.net, and thewholesaleforums.co.uk. These are great forums with talking with other traders who have had similar experiances. When in doubt about a company, don't let your greed control you. Walk away and find another company to do business with.
7. When buying in large amounts of 100 or more, try to use Hellmanns or SGS's inspection services. You will pay for it but you can be assured from them that you are getting a genuine product.
8. Be careful with the so called "brokers". Many of the iPod brokers can be legit and useful but remember, you are not getting the iPods from them, they are just taking your money, cutting a percent or dollar amount for themselves and then sending your money to their supplier to handle the shipment. If things go wrong, it can get ugly between the purchaser, broker, and supplier. It is always best to deal directly with the supplier if possible. Always ask who you are buying from if they have the stock themselves. If they say yes, ask for a picture. There is no reason they should deny you that and if they still refuse, walk away.
9. Use alibaba with caution when finding suppliers. Your best bet is to find a supplier on a reputable forum like bw.net or thewholesaleforums.co.uk where there is a feedback system in place and ALL registered sellers have to go through a verification process before being allowed to sell on the forum.
I hope this steers some of you in the right path. Even though most of this was geared towards iPods, it is very similar for those of you trying to buy PSPs, Xbox 360s, PS3s etc..I hate coming on here and reading these stories of these worthless scammers taking away your money. If anyone has any questions, feel free to send me a message and I will try to help you as best as possible.
2. Don't fall for rediculously low prices. The cheapest you can possible get the new 8gb nanos is around $210 - $215 a piece and you have to buy about 25 - 50 total to get that kind of pricing. Anyone offering you 8gb nanos for $150 a piece is nothing but a stone cold crook. To get pricing anywhere near that, you'd have to do a PR(Production Run) from Apple for about 10,000 - 100,000 iPods and even then, your probably looking at $160 - $165 a unit.
3. Always and I mean, ALWAYS use some form of secured payment for your first order and probably for your 2nd, 3rd and 4th. Escrow.com is the best and use only them, I can't think of another escrow company I trust. If they don't accept escrow, back off. Credit cards are not always 100% secured so make sure you check with your bank first.
4. NEVER USE WESTERN UNION OR T/T!! Not ever. Only use bank transfer if you have done multiple and I mean multiple transactions with them. Even then, you are still at great risk for fraud.
5. Use paypal with EXTREME caution. You may think you are secured because paypal will refund you if you don't get your products. What you don't know, you will only get a refund IF the scammer still has your money in his account, which is rare. I've heard a lot of scam stories of people who paid with paypal only to never get any products and when they would file a complaint with paypal, paypal would come back saying their is no money in their account for a refund.
6. Research your company, THROUGHLY! Simply calling the guy and saying well he sounds nice and genuine isn't going to cut it. Your best bet is to check them out on the many wholesale forums out there like this one, bw.net, and thewholesaleforums.co.uk. These are great forums with talking with other traders who have had similar experiances. When in doubt about a company, don't let your greed control you. Walk away and find another company to do business with.
7. When buying in large amounts of 100 or more, try to use Hellmanns or SGS's inspection services. You will pay for it but you can be assured from them that you are getting a genuine product.
8. Be careful with the so called "brokers". Many of the iPod brokers can be legit and useful but remember, you are not getting the iPods from them, they are just taking your money, cutting a percent or dollar amount for themselves and then sending your money to their supplier to handle the shipment. If things go wrong, it can get ugly between the purchaser, broker, and supplier. It is always best to deal directly with the supplier if possible. Always ask who you are buying from if they have the stock themselves. If they say yes, ask for a picture. There is no reason they should deny you that and if they still refuse, walk away.
9. Use alibaba with caution when finding suppliers. Your best bet is to find a supplier on a reputable forum like bw.net or thewholesaleforums.co.uk where there is a feedback system in place and ALL registered sellers have to go through a verification process before being allowed to sell on the forum.
I hope this steers some of you in the right path. Even though most of this was geared towards iPods, it is very similar for those of you trying to buy PSPs, Xbox 360s, PS3s etc..I hate coming on here and reading these stories of these worthless scammers taking away your money. If anyone has any questions, feel free to send me a message and I will try to help you as best as possible.
26 Oct 2006 17:00
Post 2 of 116
Replying to [RMOG]:
The real iPods are made in China - If you read my reply to the OP you will see that i mention this in the first reply to this Post.
To the poster who says they have a fake iPOD - yes there are companies who make MP3 & MP4 players in a similar shape and with similar interface as the iPODS - but in all honesty, if you have ever seen an iPOD, these fakes (even the best ones) look and feel nothing like them. Also the packaging is completely different. There can be no mistaking the two of them.
The only good deals in REAL iPODS out of China are now refurbished models.
The real iPods are made in China - If you read my reply to the OP you will see that i mention this in the first reply to this Post.
To the poster who says they have a fake iPOD - yes there are companies who make MP3 & MP4 players in a similar shape and with similar interface as the iPODS - but in all honesty, if you have ever seen an iPOD, these fakes (even the best ones) look and feel nothing like them. Also the packaging is completely different. There can be no mistaking the two of them.
The only good deals in REAL iPODS out of China are now refurbished models.
09 Dec 2006 01:22
Post 3 of 116
Replying to [Xskn Distributor]:That was a very worthwhile post. Ive been scammed a few times. Havent found a single supplier here that will use escrow. And the trustpass system is useless too ... was scammed by one of those. My advice.....AVOID Asian suppliers unless you can find one that will use escrow.com. And good luck with that. Cheers.
30 Dec 2006 22:31
Post 4 of 116
Replying to [Xskn Distributor]:
Back in Novemeber, I was scammed out of $500 from someone in China who contacted me here on Alibaba. He/She offered to sell me ipods as they can get it from Foxcomm. I wired transferred the money to their account and have not heard a peep out of them since then. I was advised I can file a complaint/charges against them on http://www.ic3.gov/.
Not sure what my chances are of getting back the money, at least I know there are agencies that will go after scammers.
Back in Novemeber, I was scammed out of $500 from someone in China who contacted me here on Alibaba. He/She offered to sell me ipods as they can get it from Foxcomm. I wired transferred the money to their account and have not heard a peep out of them since then. I was advised I can file a complaint/charges against them on http://www.ic3.gov/.
Not sure what my chances are of getting back the money, at least I know there are agencies that will go after scammers.
22 Jan 2007 16:50
Post 5 of 116
Replying to [Xskn Distributor]: I think most of the products now are either made in CHINA or UK. I think most of the electronic stuff like the IPOD and those MP3 that are needed to be manufactured in volumes are all made in China. Even Cellphones now are made in China , so i think not all products came from china are fake, you just need to know how to recognize them.
24 Jan 2007 00:23
Post 6 of 116
Replying to [Xskn Distributor]:
I use AsianEscrowServices.com for my Intl Trade Transactions. Escrow.com has some restrictions when dealing with Intl Transactions outside the USA.
regards,
James
I use AsianEscrowServices.com for my Intl Trade Transactions. Escrow.com has some restrictions when dealing with Intl Transactions outside the USA.
regards,
James
30 Jan 2007 05:02
Post 7 of 116
Replying to [leftyrog]:
lefty, since you found this forum, surely you could read through it and answer your own question. If you want to be in business, don't you think the biggest effort should come from you? Unless of course you hire someone to think for you.
regards,
James
WDC Intl Inc
lefty, since you found this forum, surely you could read through it and answer your own question. If you want to be in business, don't you think the biggest effort should come from you? Unless of course you hire someone to think for you.
regards,
James
WDC Intl Inc
30 Jan 2007 05:07
Post 8 of 116
Thanks for all the info! Ihave been emailing back and forth with a company called"Webdeals Electronics" the CEO is Cheryl porter. She offers psp's and mobile phones at a low price and I'm kind of leary. he may be legit but how can I check? Is there some type of BBB I can check on companies in Finland? All the input on this company would be greatly appreciated.
Play
Play
06 Feb 2007 08:27
Post 9 of 116
Replying to [Guap]:
Some suppliers do accept PayPal and they are hard to find Making payment by TT or WU is very risky
Some suppliers do accept PayPal and they are hard to find Making payment by TT or WU is very risky
08 Feb 2007 06:18
Post 10 of 116
Replying to [Xskn Distributor]:Hi I have just been scammed buying 1 ipod from litatrade he said his name was vincent he replied from my message to them.I felt like i really did my home work checked out web site ,msm him emailed him and he originaly said he could not get them. Is there any way i can get this guy caught.
08 Feb 2007 14:44
Post 11 of 116
Replying to [Xskn Distributor]: Iactually have the pleasure of buying the 8gb nano here in the USA! fo the price of $210.00 with a minimum of just 5 per order!!!! I did alot of research to find this supplier, and i have ordered many times already just paying with a credit card, NO PROBLEMS!!!!
09 Feb 2007 03:07