Select Supplier from Alibaba.com

Discussion in 'General Marketing' started by teohcl, Oct 5, 2010.

  1. #1
    Anyone here ordered things from alibaba.com before? How can I tell which supplier can be trusted? Any idea? I am planning to order something from there and I have no idea how to select the supplier, please help. Thanks
     
    teohcl, Oct 5, 2010 IP
  2. JoesMillion

    JoesMillion Peon

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    #2
    Never heard of them. Did you try looking up reviews on google?
     
    JoesMillion, Oct 6, 2010 IP
  3. iTube

    iTube Active Member

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    #3
    50 % of alibaba is ok, the other 50% is real bad. try tradetang or dhgate, they have escrow, and your money is safe
     
    iTube, Oct 7, 2010 IP
  4. jezzz

    jezzz Notable Member

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    #4
    Check the Trusted Point! Number of Counts and membership period of that supplier
     
    jezzz, Oct 8, 2010 IP
  5. natorob

    natorob Well-Known Member

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    #5
    I have been burned by one vendor on Alibaba. Since then, I have only used dhgate because they take PayPal and have escrow.

    My experience with dhgate has been pretty positive. I've bought a lot of stuff from them, and 95% has been exactly as described, quick shipping (under a week from China), and surprisingly, the customer service has been pretty decent as well.
     
    natorob, Oct 9, 2010 IP
  6. webbmaster

    webbmaster Well-Known Member

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    #6
    what are you trying to order? If you are importing and need someone on the ground, do the goods inspection, background check.. I may be able to help.. Skype me, and I can refer you to someone I know in China, and he can help you. You can tell a lot from their representation.. If you read Chinese, it helps too... A lot of frauds leave telltale signs.. you just know where to look..
     
    webbmaster, Oct 15, 2010 IP
  7. Bunneh

    Bunneh Peon

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    #7
    dhgate is what i have heard is best, i have not used this but would like to, i guess only use ppl with paypal for sure as at least you can try to despute??? Good luck.
     
    Bunneh, Oct 15, 2010 IP
  8. muffet

    muffet Active Member

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    #8
    After hearing other DPs mention these two sites in forums I've been browsing dhgate and tradetang lately. I have several questions pertaining too; which suppliers are selling genuine products (i.e. iPhones)? Who are the suppliers hustling the knockoffs? How do you tell the fakes from the genuine goods? Lastly, which dhgate or tradetang sellers should I completely avoid (base on your personal experience in dealing with them)? Overflowing with gratitude. TIA
     
    muffet, Oct 15, 2010 IP
  9. mikewangmengfei

    mikewangmengfei Peon

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    #9
    i can help you ,i from china,my skype mengwfei email
     
    mikewangmengfei, Oct 31, 2010 IP
  10. BartSimpsons08

    BartSimpsons08 Peon

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    #10
    are you ordering some bulk ? what product do you interested in ?
    IMHO, alibaba as good any B2B portals..if you want to do some due dilligence though..
    IMHO..if you want to do some serious business you need to do some due dilligence..check their web site, address, phone number, fax number, etc..go there and see their office or factory if you have to before you decide to place an order..

    anyway, you got it wrong in the first place..China do not produce iPhone..if some said so, it means you will find the knock-offs..just my two cents ;)

    for the sake of business..[​IMG]
     
    BartSimpsons08, Oct 31, 2010 IP
  11. PHPGator

    PHPGator Banned

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    #11
    I highly recommend that you don't pick a supplier off of that site. My recommendation is that if you have a product you want to sell, you go out and find the manufacturers of the products you want to sell. Sometimes they will point you in the right direction or supply the products to you. My suggestion is that before doing this though, you have a Sales Tax ID. Generally any company worth their salt in working with will require one.
     
    PHPGator, Nov 1, 2010 IP
  12. BartSimpsons08

    BartSimpsons08 Peon

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    #12
    go out, go where ?

    B2B portals still a great place to resource business partners..whether you are a manufacturer or a buyer..

    have you done some business with people outside your country my friend ? unwise and considered rude if you ask for a sales tax id upfront..just my two-cents..;)
     
    BartSimpsons08, Nov 1, 2010 IP
  13. swasts

    swasts Peon

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    #13
    checked the user trusted points...
     
    swasts, Nov 1, 2010 IP
  14. topthisfact

    topthisfact Member

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    #14
    I don't really like alibaba, it is not fully trusted even when you deal with people with trusted score points.
    I say dhgate is good, i've orderd over thousands of products, and never had a problem with them, they provide escrow and 100% safe transaction.
     
    topthisfact, Nov 1, 2010 IP
  15. swasts

    swasts Peon

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    #15
    yes....because AliBaba don't protect the buyer like what e-bay like....
     
    swasts, Nov 1, 2010 IP
  16. Mitrann

    Mitrann Peon

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    #16
    Personally to share my experience, I ordered an Flashlight 5 months ago from Alibaba, but i never received and tracking this order went tiresome. And to find real sellers, you have to explore a lot through the reviews!!! So i have no go to reorder the flashlight from some other sites. Finally i ordered from Chinabuye, its an online store from China. Good service and prompt delivery. The price is comparatively less and worth for quality. So I decided to stay with them, so far with good feedbacks. They do wholesale and drop ship all over world at free shipping charges. So check out with them.
     
    Mitrann, Nov 15, 2010 IP
  17. Alex060985

    Alex060985 Active Member

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    #17
    Importing from China can be a tough decision really, obviously the prices are lower but you have to tread very carefully. Personally i have used the express service that they offer and was happy with my experience as the site verifies the sites that offer the express service.

    Otherwise i would make sure that your purchase has some protection, (escrow or some eWallet site) and always try to obtain the company address so that you can google is and make sure that it really is what they claim.

    You can always ask for information from the seller as they will be looking to please you as well as they can, meaning you can use that to your advantage and make background checks before ordering.
     
    Alex060985, Nov 15, 2010 IP
  18. vl2dy4

    vl2dy4 Peon

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    #18
    The best way is to do research on the companies you are looking at, just remember that if the OFFER sounds TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE it usually is. Go with what other people are saying and the best thing is to do research. Thanks

    Conrad
     
    vl2dy4, Nov 15, 2010 IP
  19. Rachelroyen

    Rachelroyen Peon

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    #19
    Well, i placed my order with Alibaba, but never received response on it till day and no prompt response for my queries. Before selecting suppliers analyse more, check their reviews and quality. Even i was doing the same and now i sticked with Chinabuye, an online store from China. I got with them for their great service, timely delivery with no MOQ limit and best quality products. I am from India, i receive the products with no shipping charges and quite reasonable rates on all their products i buy. I am satisfied with them so far!!
     
    Rachelroyen, Nov 22, 2010 IP
  20. vstar007

    vstar007 Peon

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    #20
    Alibaba has a security feature to protect your money, might be worth checking it out
     
    vstar007, Nov 22, 2010 IP