NEWBIEs positive experiences on Alibaba
Post 1 of 6
Hi
I've been using Alibaba for a year or so now, but until recently I had no idea that people were being scammed as I have only had good experiences with very diligent and professional people. So I thought I might share some of my experience to see if it will help others.
Background. I buy a small range of consumer electronics products to sell on Ebay and similar markets, usually only ordering the MOQ or less if I can negotiate it, and I've yet to be scammed by anyone
Here's what I think are they key reasons I've had such a good experience
1. I am only really interested in buying products that are new to the market and which feature new technology or have something about them that makes them unusual - spy cams, media players, mobiles, routers, DVRs. The items are typically produced as OEM so there is no such thing as a fake.
2. I never buy branded goods unless it is a chinese brand (such as meizu) because I know that branded goods manufacture has very tight controls when it comes to serial numbers etc so as a chinese factory you can't just run off a load more 'genuine' items on the weekend to sell yourself. Apple Nokia etc brand is worth more than product. If only you knew how much £ they put into controlling it
3. I only deal with companies that have a tight coherent product range.
4. I always order samples. Any legitimate company will do this especially for OEM product. This way I would never be out more than $200, which is a viable loss i.e. forget it and move on
5. I like to have a chat with the sales person on a few occasions, consistency and knowledge of the product tells you a lot. If they are genuine they will follow you up regularly, probably putting in more effort than I would for $100 because they want your $10,000 of business.
6. Ask for a price list. Most companies I've dealt with send me a large spreadsheet showing a mind-boggling range of variants and specs. It's not difficult to do but it is a level of attention to detail beyond the casual scammer.
7. Check the website, it should be in english & chinese. Again I doubt scammers bother to do both when they only want English speaking customers to defraud. They should really have a website!
8. Research what you're buying and whats new in that area. Ask them about a product that you are pretty sure is not yet available, but don't tell them you know that. If they say yes they have it in stock, then walk away...
9. The sample expereince works both ways. Now, once they have delivered what you asked for, when they said they would and you go back for a full MOQ or larger order they will feel comfortable dealing with you too and you can discuss payment methods. A declaration that such and such is company policy usually allows you to use your chosen method
Happy to add any other advice, but to summarise, find a product made in china OEM, find a company that sells that as part of a consisent product range, get a sample, build a relationship with the sales person and then you can do a commercial trade when you have good respect for each other.
I've been using Alibaba for a year or so now, but until recently I had no idea that people were being scammed as I have only had good experiences with very diligent and professional people. So I thought I might share some of my experience to see if it will help others.
Background. I buy a small range of consumer electronics products to sell on Ebay and similar markets, usually only ordering the MOQ or less if I can negotiate it, and I've yet to be scammed by anyone
Here's what I think are they key reasons I've had such a good experience
1. I am only really interested in buying products that are new to the market and which feature new technology or have something about them that makes them unusual - spy cams, media players, mobiles, routers, DVRs. The items are typically produced as OEM so there is no such thing as a fake.
2. I never buy branded goods unless it is a chinese brand (such as meizu) because I know that branded goods manufacture has very tight controls when it comes to serial numbers etc so as a chinese factory you can't just run off a load more 'genuine' items on the weekend to sell yourself. Apple Nokia etc brand is worth more than product. If only you knew how much £ they put into controlling it
3. I only deal with companies that have a tight coherent product range.
4. I always order samples. Any legitimate company will do this especially for OEM product. This way I would never be out more than $200, which is a viable loss i.e. forget it and move on
5. I like to have a chat with the sales person on a few occasions, consistency and knowledge of the product tells you a lot. If they are genuine they will follow you up regularly, probably putting in more effort than I would for $100 because they want your $10,000 of business.
6. Ask for a price list. Most companies I've dealt with send me a large spreadsheet showing a mind-boggling range of variants and specs. It's not difficult to do but it is a level of attention to detail beyond the casual scammer.
7. Check the website, it should be in english & chinese. Again I doubt scammers bother to do both when they only want English speaking customers to defraud. They should really have a website!
8. Research what you're buying and whats new in that area. Ask them about a product that you are pretty sure is not yet available, but don't tell them you know that. If they say yes they have it in stock, then walk away...
9. The sample expereince works both ways. Now, once they have delivered what you asked for, when they said they would and you go back for a full MOQ or larger order they will feel comfortable dealing with you too and you can discuss payment methods. A declaration that such and such is company policy usually allows you to use your chosen method
Happy to add any other advice, but to summarise, find a product made in china OEM, find a company that sells that as part of a consisent product range, get a sample, build a relationship with the sales person and then you can do a commercial trade when you have good respect for each other.
18 Dec 2007 07:48
Post 2 of 6
Replying to [identitycrisis]:DOES ANYONE KNOW OF A BLOG OUTSIDE OF ALIBABA THAT WILL LIST LEGITIMATE SUPPLIERS?
18 Dec 2007 20:53
Post 3 of 6
Replying to [identitycrisis]:Your experience are beneficial![[em1]](http://img.alibaba.com/images/eng/style/icon/emoticons_smile.gif)
18 Dec 2007 22:55
Post 5 of 6
Replying to [MSTRRYAN2]:
I haven't found any. I think it would be a good idea for Alibaba to create a structured forum for people to register successful trades. That way buyers could contact other buyers who say they have dealt with a particular company successfully.
It would always come down to judgement but might help.
I haven't found any. I think it would be a good idea for Alibaba to create a structured forum for people to register successful trades. That way buyers could contact other buyers who say they have dealt with a particular company successfully.
It would always come down to judgement but might help.
19 Dec 2007 03:02
Post 6 of 6
Replying to [identitycrisis]:Your idea is a great one!![[em19]](http://img.alibaba.com/images/eng/style/icon/emoticons_great.gif)
19 Dec 2007 20:52
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