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New to Alibaba, need tips.
 

Hello.


So i've been browsing around Alibaba, looking for manufacturers to create a product for me. I've contacted a couple so far. Now a few questions:
How would i know if a seller is legit? The years? Transaction history? etc.
For payment methods, i've seen a couple sellers with different options.
I know Paypal is one of the best options, how about T/T? is there any other options that are safe?
Also, if sellers have that "trade assurance" logo, is that a good thing? If you guys with experience can share some tips, i would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks in advance guys!

Re: New to Alibaba, need tips.
 

It's quite expensive for a company to sell on Ali. In all the time I've been involved with ecommerce I've never heard of an Ali seller not being legit. That's not to say a lot of them aren't selling cheap crap, but 99% of the time when dealing on Ali you're going to get your order from the seller.

Seeing an experienced seller with a lot of transactions is a plus. Just like in USA, good Chinese companies thrive while bad ones do not.

The trade assurance thing means you can buy from the seller using Alibaba's in-house escrow program. Definitely a plus for a first time order, but the protection provided is about the same as Paypal.

Direct T/T is not safe at all for a supplier you don't trust, but with Alibaba's T/T program I believe you send the money to Ali, who then gives the money to the seller after the sale is smoothly completed. So that would be safe. Downside is it takes several days for a bank transfer like that to complete. Paypal costs more but is instant, and the buyer protection is better (and USA based). Once you trust a supplier, W/U or M/G is the cheapest and most efficient payment method.

Re: New to Alibaba, need tips.
 

This article goes more into depth:

"How to Avoid Scams, Middle-Men, and Fraud on Alibaba" How to Avoid Scams, Middle-Men, and Fraud on Alibaba - StartupBros

Also, request samples, most legit companies will send 1-2pcs without any issue.

Re: New to Alibaba, need tips.
 

Only thing for OP is that he/she seems to want to MANUFACTURE own item...not sure if samples are available for own products...maybe trial runs at fraction of cost...

Re: New to Alibaba, need tips.
 

Go to canton fair to source your idea supplier

Re: New to Alibaba, need tips.
 

You can read their profiles for security

Re: New to Alibaba, need tips.
 

Alibaba is full of Scammers ,

" DO NOT EVER USE PAYPAL TO MAKE PAYMENT TO ANY CHINA SELLER ."

IF you do decided, make sure you have a good trading relations with that seller.

paypal will never help you if they steal your funds , paypal payment is not covered in china.

if buying from Alibaba Sellers.
Only use Alibaba Escrow payment , Also Pay for Goods Using CC ,
the escrow accept all CC .

DO NOT USE T/T .

ONCE THEY GOT YOUR FUNDS IT IS VERY HARD TO GET IT BACK , THEY WILL SEND YOU
THE WRONG STUFF. Or 50% of the wrong stuff .

Alibaba will ask you to return the item to the seller , imagine paying more than cost of Goods for postage back to china ? ,

Use Escrow and Keep Safe!!!!

Escrow you will have the Power , to see at least 90% of what you paid for.
i have 7years experience .

A Trip to China
Takes a Trip to Canton Fair , you can stay in hotel in town and Taxi to the fair about £2.50 from town to the fair or take the Train like i do, it cost me just 0.40p in UK money .
very cheap fair for transport . in uk it will cost me 7Quid .

Good Luck.

Re: New to Alibaba, need tips.
 

I've only felt with PayPal dealing with Chinese. So far i have yet to encounter any issues. For future purposes I'll deal with escrow.

Re: New to Alibaba, need tips.
 

I've only dealt with PayPal dealing with Alibaba. So far i have yet to encounter any issues. For future purposes I'll deal with escrow.

Re: New to Alibaba, need tips.
 

let me tell you, you guys can use 1688.com. it's chinese version of alibaba.com. stuff alot cheaper there, if you willing to spend sometime with a translator. the transactions as secure as paypal, no body grab your money and go away.

Re: New to Alibaba, need tips.
 

As before mentioned, use the escrow service. Once a relationship and trust has been built venture off the platform at your own risk for lower pricing, contact companies directly, try using other sellers quote as leverage, and if you place a large order get part the shipments to protect against shipping delays, and most importantly poor batches of poor quality goods.