How to Buy from China

Step 15 Other stuff to know

there are different kinds of companies:
typically you want to deal with a MANUFACTURER or FACTORY. this is the company that actually fabricates the item. there are also TRADING companies or IMPORT/EXPORT companies - these are middlemen who do not operate a factory, but they may have products from a factory that does not sell direct.

it is normal for the buyer to pay up front for smaller purchases. for larger purchases any number of payment arrangements can be used.

fraud: i have never been defrauded, however Alibaba etc. have large FAQ's on their sites about different things to avoid fraud. Fraud is probably more common on things like brand name consumer electronics and fashion accessories, which are not things i have buy.

Comments

[The Wapusk]

A quick question re: Fraud. I'm not a lawyer, nor do I expect you are, but isn't claiming that you are part of a company that is fictitious for the purpose of obtaining "free" sample product fraud on your part, or my part for that matter as I fully intend to follow these steps? I just want to know so I can be prepared should the Worst Case Scenario reveal itself.

[frollard]

it *is* uttering to suggest you work for a company that doesnt exist.

[nospamnyc]

I first encountered Global Sources several years ago (I had purchased one of those lists off eBay) and made attempts to score some free samples of multiple products to be shipped via my Fedex account. Within a week I received a very stern email from GS stating that they suspected me of attempting fraud and threatened to report me to the FBI!! Whaa? It should be noted that I used my own domain's email account, but had no website up.

[jongscx]

Not necessarily... You don't have to explicitly lie about being a big company... just make it appear as such and don't explicitly say that you're not. okay, maybe it is... but they've budgeted for "free samples" already, YOU're the one paying for shipping (except in the case of chinaAir...), and in the future, you MAY become a corporate buyer anyway... I guess basically, just don't worry about it...

[tehsuxs]

It's a means to an end basically. You won't be able to get the information and item you need if you don't represent yourself this way.

[Very Interesting]

Good information! Remember the earthquake when contacting a company directly. Be compassionate. Many are still repairing their factories while dealing with heavy losses. (None of them will admit this though.) Vehicles do not come assembled completely. Most mechanics won't mess with them either. You need to have some ability to assemble these. Also, make sure a scooter, or motorcycle is EPA and DOT approved, or you won't be riding it in the U.S.

[joekenadee]

Also ask them if they have another customer that is located in the U.S. that has one of the scooters/motorcycle already. Some of them are pure junk and break down after a few weeks. I have purchased from Chinavasion and Dealextreme in the past be very careful with Chinavasion make sure to order large and small items separately they will get you on s&h if you bundle them together. The most important thing if any company asks you to western union cash avoid them like the plague I've been scammed several times that way paypal is an easy way to do business with china and will save you on transfer fees. Never ever under any circumstance should you buy "razor blades" from china they are very poor condition and will cut you faster than you can say mach zero razor blades suck=)