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colinmcmahon · 02-03-2007, 03:59 AM

Ok, so I know I'm not a pro on this but I've been looking for a legit manufacturer from China for the past 2 months now. I've seen there are many others around here looking to do the same thing. Here are some tips on how to find one.

1. Do not send any payments via Western Union. Even if you suspect the business is legitimate, it is the least safe way to send funds there is. If they do scam you, you're screwed. You cannot track the money.

2. Suggest alternate payments such as T/T or Credit Card. Credit cards (from what I've been told) make it so that you are not liable for the full amount if they do end up scamming you. T/T or Telegraphic Transfer (Wire Transfer) is another method that is a bit more secure. When you ask your bank to send a T/T you can verify the account you are sending the money to and make sure it is a legit business account.

3. Usually if it is too good to be true, it's not true. 90$ for an I-pod video is not even possible... From what I am told, you cannot buy wholesale I-pods from Asia anyways. I am not sure how true this is but uber cheap I-pods are usually a scam.

4. If your contact tends to barter with you and lower prices drastically just to get some cash from you, it's not usually a good sign. Manufacturers have set prices that are already usually as low as they are willing to go.

5. In my experience, shipping usually runs from 50$USD for 3 MP3 Players to 150$USD for 26 Headsets w/ Microphones. If they quote your shipment for 4$ per mp3 player with shipping included, you're being scammed. Shipping is expensive, I've never had it integrated into the price of the products.

6. Call the phone numbers listed on the websites, find someone to speak with. Usually a sales manager. If the person you speak with is well versed and can answer all your questions quickly and correctly, you are one step closer. This does not mean they are legit, it just means they know what they are talking about. However, it's more of a chance that they are legit.

I'll list more as I remember it. If any of this info is wrong, please let me know. Feel free to add to it. Cheers.

cube3 · 02-03-2007, 04:39 AM

sure but please remember China is the king of piracy too!

sunup · 02-03-2007, 08:25 AM

OK, I will be watching this one. thanks

colinmcmahon · 02-04-2007, 12:18 AM

7. Contacts with free email accounts are usually scammers. Do not deal with them unless they have an account with their company's domain.

ianternet · 02-07-2007, 09:24 AM

I usually ask if they take paypal so if anything happens I report it to paypal - but its hard to find suppliers that take paypal

G_Ina · 02-07-2007, 01:17 PM

Wow, thanks for sharing all of that good stuff. I've been emailing some wholesalers from China lately. I never really thought about them ripping me off, I guess you're right..

I just thought it was funny how they write. Hehe.. the way they type things out makes me just crack up sometimes.. Lol

valueideas · 02-07-2007, 01:58 PM

I wish they were....all I find is damn Western Union...And I've been scammed once already.

Does it sounds ok when they don't make you pay customs, by shipping af gift or something like that?

Thank you!

Sam0182 · 02-07-2007, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by valueideas

I wish they were....all I find is damn Western Union...And I've been scammed once already.

Does it sounds ok when they don't make you pay customs, by shipping af gift or something like that?

Thank you!

That is normal for some of the smaller distribs. It generally will make things pass more quickly and cut down of most/any customs fees.

Legal? Eh, it's probably boarder-line. Just make sure they include an invoice that matches up what they're claiming on the customs slip. Otherwise could cause trouble if customs decides to check your shipment out, etc. And it's not fun trying to bullshit customs into believing your goods are worth 10% of what they really are.

maymay · 02-07-2007, 10:31 PM

"it's not true. 90$ for an I-pod video is not even possible... "
Actually, in our country, I-pod video is just around this price.

"China is the king of piracy!"
Maybe, and many of us always say that the quality of our piracy products is somtimes better than the true ones.

colinmcmahon · 02-07-2007, 11:20 PM

Just a tip: if the items are shipped as Canadian goods returned, you don't have to pay duties and taxes.

fobvip · 02-08-2007, 01:49 AM

Just curious, i've been in the importing business for a couple of a little while now, but havn't talked to too many of the other importers yet. Any of you out there would you be willing to share how much commission do you normally put on the products you bring in? (ie. Mark Up).