I sent a message around saying that i was looking for clothes - i got a few replies back, and got talking to one supplier on MSN - i looked at his website, and enquired about the cost of his mobile phones - the apple iphone was $250, so i immediately saw dollar signs in my mind! (here's the first tip - if the guy sells clothes, but also phones, don't go near him).
I got to the stage where i was to pay him - we agreed a price of $2000 for ten phones - amazing price - some may say, "too good to be true" - often on the internet, if it seems too good to be true, it is too good to be true. I called Western Union up (here's the second tip - if they only accept Western Union, Bank transfer or anything like this, then they're frauds), and the lady says to me, "$2000 to China? May i ask what this is for?", and i replied, "of course, i'm buying some products" - she said (and if it wasn't for her i maybe would have bought the products), "Sir, i would recommend you use Escrow or Paypal, because we have millions of pounds worth of fraud from China every year".
So, I did my research - the website given to me was usd-usd.com - i of course typed it in, and low and behold, i find out all i needed to know.
1. The website was listed as under different business's - as in, on alibaba, usd-usd.com was part of "Yosin Trading Company", but on another website, it was listed as part of "Forever Trust Trading Co" (ironic, to the point of insulting).
2. Further down the google page, i found this website - http://www.firetrust.com/en/blog/chris/the-bigger-list-of-chinese-scams
A great guide to at least, if not most, of the known chinese web scams - on it, usd-usd.com.
3. Not related to my search, but the guy insisted on Western Union - he wouldn't take no for an answer - Western Union or Bank transfer or nothing. If the person insists on it, avoid at all costs.
What disappoints me is that this guy was an alibaba gold member, and had a trust pass, which you can see here http://jodanshoes.en.alibaba.com/
How can alibaba give this "seal of approval" to con artists? I can't see myself using alibaba again, or at the very least, i will be taking extreme precautions.
What i can say though, is that i've been very lucky. Were it not for that woman, and my subsequent research, including of these forums, i would have paid him $2000. I can't complain in that respect - it's been a very positive lesson for me.
I would just urge alibaba to send in their welcoming e-mail to a new member details of this forum, and the kind of cons that go on. A lot of newbies like myself are the prey which keeps these guys in business - it's not fair on them/us - we see gold alibaba member, trust pass, and think these guys have been verified properly by alibaba - well clearly they haven't been verified to an adequate level. Is that our fault? The alibaba newbie - well of course we have to take some responsibility - check out your suppliers before handing over any money, that's clear, but alibaba need to do more to make us aware.
I hope this experience helps someone.
Same experience and I totally agree with your comment. What is a Gold Supplier seal of approval worth if the "Gold" sellers are the greatest scammers? In my opinon Alibaba haven't got a clue about how to stop this and don't even care much because they make money out of the system. Furthermore, they can always blame "ingenuinity" on the part of the buyers as the reason for the bad experience, instead of investing in a proper company verification system. What they don't understand is that we trust Alibaba and the Gold Supplier status and not the seller! Hence at the end Alibaba will lose ALL credibility and with it, slowly, all the business.
Quoting from [G888]:Same experience and I totally agree with your comment. What is a Gold Supplier seal of approval worth if the "Gold" sellers are the greatest scammers? In my opinon Alibaba haven't got a clue about how to stop this and don't even care much because they make money out of the system. Furthermore, they can always blame "ingenuinity" on the part of the buyers as the reason for the bad experience, instead of investing in a proper company verification system. What they don't understand is that we trust Alibaba and the Gold Supplier status and not the seller! Hence at the end Alibaba will lose ALL credibility and with it, slowly, all the business.
it is a fact that you just met with a bad guy.Any way.We just call scarmmer to be more specificed.
Most gold suppliers,and most of the bosses of these gold suppliers they just do not work with this sort of Job and they just pay for some guys to work for them.It is most common and it is the exact Chinese way that bosses of facrtories seldom work,because most of them do not understand english.
So,such being the case,most buyers get misunderstanding about gold suppliers and Alibaba.
I bet that all gold suppliers are really good and the difference is that the guy who is doing that gold factory.if there is a honest and nice guy whom is you are working with,so then you will benefit from him even if that factory is not a gold factory.But so what if you are working with a gold factory with whom there is a scam guy?
So,if you really want to buy these products,try to find another supplier and investgate him wheather you can trust him or not.
it is just nothing to do with Alibaba and any way no business platform can ensure the guy is a good person or not.
Best regards
Tony
Thanks for the information, i am a new member here and will be very cautious now.
Regards,
Quoting from [Ranan]:
i agree the true, too good to be true.
Quoting from [Ranan]:
I sent a message around saying that i was looking for clothes - i got a few replies back, and got talking to one supplier on MSN - i looked at his website, and enquired about the cost of his mobile phones - the apple iphone was $250, so i immediately saw dollar signs in my mind! (here's the first tip - if the guy sells clothes, but also phones, don't go near him).
I got to the stage where i was to pay him - we agreed a price of $2000 for ten phones - amazing price - some may say, "too good to be true" - often on the internet, if it seems too good to be true, it is too good to be true. I called Western Union up (here's the second tip - if they only accept Western Union, Bank transfer or anything like this, then they're frauds), and the lady says to me, "$2000 to China? May i ask what this is for?", and i replied, "of course, i'm buying some products" - she said (and if it wasn't for her i maybe would have bought the products), "Sir, i would recommend you use Escrow or Paypal, because we have millions of pounds worth of fraud from China every year".
So, I did my research - the website given to me was usd-usd.com - i of course typed it in, and low and behold, i find out all i needed to know.
1. The website was listed as under different business's - as in, on alibaba, usd-usd.com was part of "Yosin Trading Company", but on another website, it was listed as part of "Forever Trust Trading Co" (ironic, to the point of insulting).
2. Further down the google page, i found this website - http://www.firetrust.com/en/blog/chris/the-bigger-list-of-chinese-scams
A great guide to at least, if not most, of the known chinese web scams - on it, usd-usd.com.
3. Not related to my search, but the guy insisted on Western Union - he wouldn't take no for an answer - Western Union or Bank transfer or nothing. If the person insists on it, avoid at all costs.
What disappoints me is that this guy was an alibaba gold member, and had a trust p *, which you can see here http://jodanshoes.en.alibaba.com/
How can alibaba give this "seal of approval" to con artists? I can't see myself using alibaba again, or at the very least, i will be taking extreme precautions.
check out your suppliers before handing over any money, that's clear, but alibaba need to do more to make us aware.
I hope this experience helps someone.
I'm curious that how would you buy mobile phones when you were known him as a clothes dealer? It's a totally different field. Anyhow, you are lucky, and you really learned something of yourselves.
Though I'm a Chinese supplier of Battery, battery pack & chargers, I will investigate every potential customers when thye send inquiry to us. I will decide whether to quote him or send samples to him.
So I suggest everyone to be cuotious, and throughly investigate your supplier before payment. And I really hope Chinese not cheat others anymore. We need to be honest and gain the orders from all over the world. Everyone of us knows that the global economy is not good for foreign trade. But if those are still trying to scam, the situation will be worse...
If there is some one wants me to help them get more information about their Chinese partner that you are going to pay or place order, just send emails to foreignsales.ben@gmail.com. I'm not ensure my investigation or informaiton to you is 100% correct, but I do hope my action is helpful. And it's totally free. I will do this in my spare time. However, I don't want to investigate the previous cases. You know that's beyond my current ability.
Quoting from [Ranan]:
I recently joined alibaba. I won't give my opinions on the website, but i do want to share this with you.
......
I am sorry to hear that. Why not use a sourcing agent fory our business in China? Millenarianism Sourcing International Ltd. Can provide below services:
1) Collect and verify manufacturer. Supply factory audit report for customer.
2) Negotiation price with supplier if you need.
3) Manage suppliers and push suppliers for delivery time on time
4)Check sample .
We have experience in professional products structure and UL. CE. CSA. RoHS. Of safety certification. And provide sample and inspection goods report to you.
5)During-production and Pre-shipment inspection for quality control. Supply inspection report for customer.
6)Deal with complaint from customers.
7)Arrange shipment.
About sample or new designs, If you need, You can visit China which you chose new designs we can check samples here or send sampls to you if you need.
We welcome you to visit us and suppliers. We would like to book hotel and other service for you.
Base on above our working, You should pay 5% agent commission against your payment of goods. It's cheap and cost-effective!
Also it is up to your shipment amount. Over 100,000USD dollar payment of goods per month, our commision can be adjusted 4%. We are glad to have a long term cooperation with you. And provided a quality products and best service to you!
If you are interesting please contact us by emails to jackie@millenarianism-sourcing.cn or maggie@millenarianism-sourcing.cn directly.
Jackie lau
you are so smart!
Actually, too good to be true. Scamers is in everywhere. So that we want to
I advise that when you choose a supplier, you had better choose a supplier who is the gold supplier in alibaba , and be a member no less than 2 years.
If the supplier is the scamer, when alibaba received someone charge this supplier, they will stop to show this supplier's website and make clear whether it is true.
When alibaba make sure this supplier is a scamer, they will stop to show this supplier's website.
i think it is a better way to make safe business with these supplier who are on line no less than 2 years.