I've tried buying from China many many times over the past year. Each and every company I try and deal with are EXACTLY the same and I've gotten to the point where I just give up:

1) They claim to manufacture the goods and yet have the exact same product as about 10 other companies claiming to manufacture the goods.

2) After enquiring about pieces and shipping, the seller ALWAYS insists on being paid by Western Union or Bank to Bank transfer. The most unstable and fraud exploited payment methods in the world!

3) Never ever have I come across a Chinese seller willing to accept Paypal or any form of credit cards whatsoever. How hard is it to set up a Paypal account in China? Even if you offer to pay all their fees they still won't do it.

4) Every single company I have ever dealt with e-mails me from a Hotmail, Yahoo or other free e-mail account. Never do I get e-mails from the domain name they are listing their products on.

5) Every Chinese manufacturers web site I've ever visited doesn't work properly, partially loads or just completely junks out.

In short, everything these companies do smacks of a potential fraud and I have therefore never bought anything and probably never will.

Can anyone explain to me why the Chinese think it's acceptable to do business this way?

Replying To  [Bobbieboy]:
Hi Bobbieboy, I will answer your questions


I've tried buying from China many many times over the past year. Each and every company I try and deal with are EXACTLY the same and I've gotten to the point where I just give up:


1) They claim to manufacture the goods and yet have the exact same product as about 10 other companies claiming to manufacture the goods.
That is usually because a lot of them are Trading Companies who buy from the same factory. However, it is also possible that several factories make EXACTLY the same product (copy each other). That's also very common.


2) After enquiring about pieces and shipping, the seller ALWAYS insists on being paid by Western Union or Bank to Bank transfer. The most unstable and fraud exploited payment methods in the world!
I would NEVER pay by Western Union. TT (on fax copy of the Bill of Lading) is O.K., but WU smells of a rat to me personally


3) Never ever have I come across a Chinese seller willing to accept Paypal or any form of credit cards whatsoever. How hard is it to set up a Paypal account in China? Even if you offer to pay all their fees they still won't do it.
Paypal and Credit Cards are not widely accepted, even in the retail sector of China. Credit Cards are only just making an in-road into China's Retail market, and then only in large department stores in major cities. manufacturers and Trading Companies do not have the facilities, and both of these usually deal in large quantities, so Credit Cards and Paypal are out for them. Letters of Credit and TTs are widely used.


4) Every single company I have ever dealt with e-mails me from a Hotmail, Yahoo or other free e-mail account. Never do I get e-mails from the domain name they are listing their products on.
Quite normal, as most manufacturers do not have a website (only the larger ones do, and a lot of Trading Companies also do not have a website. Don't let hotmail and yahoo email addresses put you off. Another one is 123.com, which is large in China


5) Every Chinese manufacturers web site I've ever visited doesn't work properly, partially loads or just completely junks out.
Very big problem in China. Some reasons are too much internet traffic (1.4 billion people over there). Another one is slower communication lines in some areas, another is that Chinese web designers like to put moving pictures, music, etc on webpages, which, although nice, take a LONG time to load.


In short, everything these companies do smacks of a potential fraud and I have therefore never bought anything and probably never will.
I have been dealing with China for over 14 years, both buying and selling. Admittedly, you MUST do your Due Diligence with ANY company you deal with before parting with your money. Best way is to have someone over there that you can trust to check things out for you.


Can anyone explain to me why the Chinese think it's acceptable to do business this way?

Replying to [grigo]:

Thanks so much for that considered response, it is greatly appreciated.

Since writing this post I've been in contact with a member here where I want order a quantity of goods. Initially he asked for Western Union or T/T to which I refused.

He gave me a web site of a company he claims to trade with in the UK but there is no conceivable way of me checking this, because the company in question is not going to confirm or deny trading with someone, if a competitior e-mails to ask.

The seller has offered to send the goods if I pay 50% up front, and then I can pay the remaining 50% on receipt of the goods.

He's sent me his full bank details, but again, I just don't feel comfortable going ahead with it (even though the first half of the payment is only 250 USD) because I have NO WAY of knowing if this guy is legitimate or not.

Is there anyway of checking this out?

http://www.alibaba.com/offerdetail/14321770/Sell_Clap_Board_Clapperbaord_Film_Slate.html

Thanks in advance.

Replying to [Bobbieboy]:
most buyer meet your question, its more easlier if have ur people or angent working here for you .

best wishes to u...

Replying to [Bobbieboy]:I think you just need a employee in China for check the supplier or goods or price etc if you want trade with China.
Several days before, i refused a client's asking what he want pay by CC. I know that may show very distrust to hem, e'en is insult for he, but the CC way is really not suit to us now. The system is not establishing at all.
However, you can get advise from me not only for glassware but others.(I helpping a Egyptian to search diesel engines parts, but no great evolve yet.)

Replying to [Bobbieboy]:NO ONE in there right mind will send you any thing on payment term 50/50 from China or in this case Hong Kong unless the terms in L/C or similar,

If you want to order goods for 250-500 USD you are on the wrong website for real, this is not Ebay,

Regarding the link to a seller here in HK, neither the phone nor the fax number is valid so stay clear from this one,

Haven’t don any search on the address,

Any way strange item, but if you need this one, my wife work in the film industry here and I can maybe help you out,,, drop me an TM if you need some help,

Yes, as I suspected. Very fishy. But unfortunately this seems to be the case with 75% of the people I contact from this site and similar sites.


Thanks for your advice. I will not purchase anything from this person and I have sent you a private e-mail.

Replying to [Bobbieboy]:hello, known you feel puzzle for the business with Chinese, while due to short experience of the international trade in China, it really many questions ouccer during the business. while we just try to follow other country just need time. so you should try to cooperate with Chinese and for both prosperous.in updated situation, you'd better have a visit to China, and found some realiable company of factory for your order, then you will feel very convineant in future business. we are deal with the fashion accessories and the hair wigs products. most of our customer will visit us for the first order, then they can be relieve to place the second order, third order,etc.
hope you will have good luck and find your favorite.

Replying to [Bobbieboy]:I don't know the reason ,but probably it is because the payment terms that the buyers offered are no safe enough .

Replying to [grigo]: well all i wanted to know is what it a TT??? is that a way to send money.

Replying to [jagdeep]:

Yes,t/t is a popular paymentway in china.