Hi,  I have a question to consult , about the payment terms for first deal.

I saw many importers are scammed out of money, even by paid member on ALibaba. SO I really worry that importers won't agree to pay in T/T, especially advance payment for they have never traded with chinese companies before.

So I wonder the safest way to benefits of both sides, also ensure the safety of chinese factories.

Hope friends on forum could give me advice. You know sometimes I consider it a litle unfair to ask the new importer to wire you money in advance.

This is how I normally do to identify scammers, with this, you should be ok for quite some time.

First of all, I do Google search with the name of the company and the word scam. Normally, there should be no page with the company listed with the word scam next to them but if you see at least one, maybe it is a scam. No need to have several pages, only one is neccessary. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Secondly, I go on a very good website, www.fraudwatchers.org who have a lsit of all website and company listed as scam. They just saved me from sending sample to a scam company. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
And thirdly, just ask people around on forums just like this one. I saw a mate who've done that. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Fourth steps is that you can verify the address they gave you and find out what's really on this. Go on www.whitepages.com and enter the address they gave you to find out if the address is really registered as their business address or at least at their names. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Fifth test is to ask them to phone you. Normally scammers won't do this but beware, some also tries to call you. Please be aware that some scammers uses call redirection which is call callback (I'm not sure of that) or they can use fax to email. Using this, they get number that are listed in U.S.A., U.K. or any European country where in reality, they are located elsewhere. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sixth, alway inquire about the mail address. This is a mistake scammers often made. Try to see whether the email address comes from a free mail server. Suppose you get a mail from economicdevelopment@mail2cameroon.cc, be sure this is a scam. The mail address (it truely exist and they tried to scam me) is not from the Cameroon government, but from a free mail server. This is how I caught my first scammer. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Seventh and last advice for the time being; JUST COME AND ASK ME. Yes, you can come and ask me and I'll help you. I've been for so much time victim of scammer, who fortunately failed in their attempts, that I've got some pretty much experience. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

This is approximately all I can remember for the time being but again, if you need advices, feel free to contact me, it's free :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


SORRY FOR ADDIN THE COLUMN (:) EVERYWERE, BUT THE RETURN BUTTON SEEMS TO BE OUT OF ORDER.

That sounds like good advice. I have just been scammed on a small order through a "Gold" supplier on Alibaba.

I contacted the company about some products and the reply apparently came from someone that the company doesn't know. I ordered the products...paid for them...and the shipment was never made. This mystery emplyee will not respond to my emails anymore.

So if you get an email from fete-trade@hotmail.com stating that his name id Lulan and he is the Sales Manager, or if you are asked to Western Union money to Jinzhong Fang in Fujian...don't do it.

Funny thing is...is that when I went back into Alibaba to try to locate these products from other suppliers...not a single one out of 15 separate suppliers would accept payment via escrow. And none offered any assurance that I would receive the products other than "we will send you and invoice".

Tough lesson learned.

Quoting from [jyfydl]:

Hi,  I have a question to consult , about the payment terms for first deal.

I saw many importers are scammed out of money, even by paid member on ALibaba. SO I really worry that importers won't agree to pay in T/T, especially advance payment for they have never traded with chinese companies before.

So I wonder the safest way to benefits of both sides, also ensure the safety of chinese factories.

Hope friends on forum could give me advice. You know sometimes I consider it a litle unfair to ask the new importer to wire you money in advance.

      As far of the concern :  in contextual of academic-wise in Marketing discipline,

      the bottom of the line:  Is it  Buyer market or Seller Market ?

      is it common stuff or Custom made/special order ? 

      more specific talks about :  Monopoly or Oligopoly ? Market Leading ? Elasticity !

      those are the "Genesis" of  "In the Beginning"  before One could justify about the

      Terms & Condition !  Incoterms and  Payment-method in Trades.

      IF  you could catch the above words and the meaning !