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Scam?
 

I've been messaging an alibaba supplier over whatasapp. We've arranged a deal but he's acting slightly strange. I just need to know if I am being paranoid.

1. He wants to use paypal (He says I can send as goods and services), and not alibaba trade assurance. He claims " We only take alibaba payments for large orders because of high taxes levied by alibaba to china companies. " My order will be $660.

2. He has good (not insane) prices , and is very willing to negotiate. He claims he is the head of sales department and that is why he can give me VIP wholesale prices.

3. I first paid the $660 on paypal and he was suppose to ship. He says he shipped but it has not left china. I then began asking him for pricing on several other products I planned to order in the future. He said he felt confident I would order often and proposed that he would refund the $660 and then I can pay to the VIP paypal email and become a VIP customer. (still as good and services)
--- I am a VIP customer with another supplier, but it took over a year

He linked me to a website and an alibaba website. Info and products match. He has gold supplier status, Trade assurance of $31,000, and everything is verified in his alibaba profile. He offered me the product at $40 each and decreased it to $33 . I showed him someone who was offering it to me for $20. He pointed out all the obvious reasons they were a scammer.

So some good and bad. What do you think? Trying to confirm he works there now.

Re: Scam?
 

As you said some good and some bad. Paying a supplier in china directly with paypal is not unusual I do the same with some of mine.

When you say your order hasn’t left China yet what postal service has it been sent with and what is the actual status of the delivery?

Also what area of China is the supplier in? There are plenty of agents all over china that for a small fee will actually checkout the supplier in person for a fee (Might not be worth it for a small $600 order)

Re: Scam?
 

You paid via goods and services. So it's all good. Don't stress about it. If it doesn't turn up paypal will return the funds.

Re: Scam?
 

If it helps, he responded to an RFQ I posted. So it just occurred to me to confirm he works at the company. This has never been an issue before but his refunding my money and changing emails seems very strange.

I asked after he refunded me so he does not want to share the info until I pay again.

You are probably right about the inspecting fee.

Re: Scam?
 

What happens if I receive it and it's low quality or a completely different item? I once dealt with paypal several years ago and they refused to do anything until I paid return shipping to China ($300+), and had proof of delivery.

Re: Scam?
 

That's kind of standard and the risk of doing the overseas alibaba business sadly - hopefully it will be ok

Re: Scam?
 

Latest update: The company on alibaba wont answer any questions like "What is the name of your Head of Sales?" and he refuses to message me on alibaba with his name as proof. Now He has become seriously insulted that I dont trust him and insist on swearing on his only daughter that he is not scammer and i wont regret it. :smash:

Re: Scam?
 

Some sellers are just fronts and reship direct from manufacturers on China's exclusive Alibaba. Products are usually legit. Could always do a sample order first.

Re: Scam?
 

Yeah I've gone from 20 pcs at $33 to 2 pcs at $50 lol But let's see how it goes.

Re: Scam?
 

It doesn't sound shady at all to me. Typical Chinese supplier. Sounds like they are getting frustrated with you because you're dragging out a very small order with tons of irrelevant questions.

Paypals are harder to operate over there. I would guess you first paid to an employee's account, then when you wanted a larger order they wanted your payment to go in the business account?

It is expensive for them to use Alipay. Not only that, but Alipay isn't good for any kind of trademarked stuff, and suppliers also can't underdeclare when they use it. It's probably favorable for you to pay with PP.

Re: Scam?
 

Higher fee using PP but you get PP protection and CC cashback + protection if using a CC.

Re: Scam?
 

Paypal will pick up return shipping up to $35 I believe for overseas shipment if you apply before you make payment,there is a limit of x times /year you can ask them.
The pictures they show on Alibaba or their own website do not always match what they sent you,I have received the same item,same design but lesser quality,they have inflation in China too,dont forget.
Buying on Alibaba is safe ,if you complain,you may get to keep the item and get your money refunded if it is not a huge amount,so no need to return.
Many Alibaba sellers are like us,individual selling what they can fetch from factories,either they work there or they know someone who work there or they just walk in and buy from them.
Chinese factories are known to use their inventory as severance pay

Re: Scam?
 

There is a couple ,man is Caucasian and woman is CHinese,they have a website selling remainders from small factories in China,they can also serve as go between for you if you have special requests.
I bought from them several times,and use bank wiretransfer which they prefer,with Paypal,they make you pick up the fee.
if you like,I can give you the contact ,
at onetime,they do trade shows featuring these products,now I guess they are just helping these companies rid their inventory

Re: Scam?
 

Again with the BS?

Re: Scam?
 

Also valid.

Re: Scam?
 

if you cant stand BS,dont read it.

Re: Scam?
 

BTW,someone PM me on something he bought from you and you fail to deliver,did you get it resolved or should I post his PM on this board as a new thread??
let me know

Re: Scam?
 

That again. Why the heck would he contact you of all people?

Are you physically unable to stop coming out with more and more BS?

Agent bullsh*t is more like it.

Re: Scam?
 

May be you should go back to school and learn something,you ignorant fool !
why should they PM me>?
well,why not?

Re: Scam?
 

What the cluck?

That's ironic, coming from the guy who writes like he works in an Asian call centre...

Re: Scam?
 

If an Alibaba supplier wants you to bypass trade assurance, run, run as fast as you can in the other direction.

Re: Scam?
 

Wasn’t that couple, Adam and Eve?

Where do these tales coMe from?

:deadhorse: