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Has anyone bought anything via Alibaba before with bank transfer?
 

Hello, I have never bought anything from alibaba before, but seriously considering buying an item i have found on there, item is not a brand name or ⊗⊗⊗⊗ item and is non vero.

The seller has a 5 year old account on the website and is "verifiied" and a "gold supplier" with alibaba. Only thing that is bothering me is that the only payment method he is offering me is via bank transfer. I asked if i could send 50% first and 50% once i get the items and he agreed to my surpise. Everything about this seems ok to me, apart from the fact that im sending money to a bank account in china, which he then has no reason to even send the goods.

Any info, advice or experience would be greatly appreciated.

Re: Has anyone bought anything via Alibaba before with bank transfer?
 

I would avoid anything like that until you really really know a supplier.

Put it this way

Guys walks in a pub and says if you give me £200 now I will post you a £1500 TV in a weeks time, if you like it then you can pay the another £200. All the other guys in the pub say he is a top man. Would you be tempted to trust him?

Re: Has anyone bought anything via Alibaba before with bank transfer?
 

If you plan to buy a large quantity make sure to buy a few samples of the product, any real supplier will see you a sample or a small order.

Re: Has anyone bought anything via Alibaba before with bank transfer?
 

prepare to get scammed and then cry

Re: Has anyone bought anything via Alibaba before with bank transfer?
 

DO NOT deal with him. I have been scammed so many times and trust me its a feeling you cannot express bcoz nobody cares if you get scammed, only you will feel like sh*t. if there was some trust able escrow involved i might give it a second thought. But seriously bro just leave it.

Re: Has anyone bought anything via Alibaba before with bank transfer?
 

Try using an escrow service? You dont have to use ones provided by the trade site you can set up a one off I'm sure with an escrow service for goods. That way you guarantee the delivery and the supplier guarantees his payment if he sends the goods.

I would not pay the guy directly though bank account unless he has earned my trust though several transactions though many years and even then I would be reluctant.

Re: Has anyone bought anything via Alibaba before with bank transfer?
 

Thanks alot for all the replys, I made a new buying request on there only for people who accept paypal or alibaba escrow.

Is Paypal safe? I have already got some message back from suppliers saying they accept paypal.

Thanks alot for all your messages, appreciate it alot, you guys are the best!

Re: Has anyone bought anything via Alibaba before with bank transfer?
 

Yes, PayPal works well for buying stock.

Skrill also works a treat and you can get lots of rewards.

Credit Card is always the preferred option though

Re: Has anyone bought anything via Alibaba before with bank transfer?
 

:humble:As long as you pay through paypal you will be fine, as your covered by them if you don't receive it..

Re: Has anyone bought anything via Alibaba before with bank transfer?
 

We use the escrow service a lot when dealing on alibaba....the only way to go until you start working with a supplier for awhile! I've used PP one time when purchasing via Alibaba....the buyer protection wasn't offered. I'd just make sure that you get the same protection..it may have changed as it's been awhile! Best of luck!

Re: Has anyone bought anything via Alibaba before with bank transfer?
 

I have dealt with Alibaba sellers so many times with ZERO problems.
In fact, my whole business for the past 5 years was based on suppliers I
found on Alibaba. Not sure why the negative feedback on the stealth guid regarding
Alibaba.
Sure, I did get some items which I didn't like the quality of, but all sellers I dealt
with through Alibaba were legit. Not sure what kind of bad experience people had
here.

Re: Has anyone bought anything via Alibaba before with bank transfer?
 

Whenever possible, try to use your credit card - they have enhanced protection measures for you

Re: Has anyone bought anything via Alibaba before with bank transfer?
 

Hi,this is Andy from China .We are also a seller on alibaba.For us,50% deposition and 50% on collection is not acceptable .There is a risk that seller do not pay.
So,there is a little doubt for your seller,you need to check carefully .

Re: Has anyone bought anything via Alibaba before with bank transfer?
 

@dstar1230, so you do 50% payment then rest on delivery? Not sure what you are stating

Re: Has anyone bought anything via Alibaba before with bank transfer?
 

It happened to me once few years ago where a seller on Alibaba
didn't charge me for the goods, but just for shipping. I am talking about 500
items. He relied on me to pay him after i receive the goods (which I did). That is extremely rare.
What I usually do is pay about 33.3% of the total. Then ask for pictures of
the making process of the items I ordered. After i am satisfied I pay another third of the total, then wait for some photos to see my items packed in cartons and ready to be shipped. I then pay the rest, and hope for the best. With manufacturers I have an established good relations I usually pay 50% at the beginning then another 50% before shipping. With others I already worked with I just pay the whole amount before they even start production.
I search for Alibaba companies that are over 3 years there or at least two. I ask if they have their own website besides alibaba - that's another good sign for a legit manufacturer. Big reliable companies have sometimes 8(!!) or more representative that you can contact through trade manager software and you can see their different names on their store so it is another sign with whom to deal with.

Re: Has anyone bought anything via Alibaba before with bank transfer?
 

Trustful seller then - good modus operandi to build trust