There are a lot of people out there that have been duped and straight-out scammed by both trading companies and manufacturing plants in China. Over time you will get a good idea at knowing what to look out for. Below are good points to save you money and more importantly your time.

1. The supplier asserts you send money by Western Union only, not directly to a bank account. This is a revealing sign of a supplier who's a complete fake. Always check up on the supplier through a Chinese supplier verification service before carrying on.


2. The bank account by the supplier doesn’t match the supplier’s credentials. This can mean that the supplier is concealing their identity, or not in reality related to the manufacturer at all.



3. Shortly before you attend a factory for a visit, the supplier informs you that the plant location or the name is not as they previously supplied, but is quite different. There may be legitimate reasons for a last minute change but the supplier should be capable of explaining it clearly.

4. The supplier assures you that production is in-process, but keeps on postponing sending you a sample. This shows us that the supplier is either supplying erroneous information, or does not have command over the manufacturing process or acquiring samples.

5. The telephone number doesn't answer or even reaches the right party. You must always call the supplier before becoming heavily engaged in an order to verify all of the contact information.

6. The website of the supplier doesn't work or shows data contradicting with the supplier’s identity. The information found on any website can be very telling. If the website doesn't work, then there might be a reason to start putting up your financial shields.



Being alert to these discouraging signs, it will save your brand reputation and your money. If you have any uncertainties for a supplier, it's always better to verify the supplier before going forward.

When are you going to post again? Your posts are the best, well, second to WholesaleForum.

Great tips. I would not send money to any compnay until I received a sample first, especially if they are overseas. Western Union? Who even uses that anymore, that is a great tip and a great way to know that they are probably not a good company.

I have never been told I had to pay for any product by Western Union. I would not buy if a company told me that. You see scams all the time on craigslist saying Western Union only- those are the ones you stay away from. Thanks for all the great ideas.

Originally Posted by Newtome

I have never been told I had to pay for any product by Western Union. I would not buy if a company told me that.

Unfortunately in China it is not always easy for a company to obtain a credit card, and therefore a PayPal account as we know it. Many legitimate Chinese suppliers still deal with T/T, L/C or Western Union only. Hopefully that will change soon.

Fortunately today there are a number of reliable escrow services developing in China, including PayPal, which are helping Chinese companies accept escrow payments which they once couldn't.

Think twice before you pay, and check carefully!

Good advice detailed. If someone couldn't give me a sample for whatever reason, that would be an instant red flag for me that would take a long time to come back down.

Western Union should send up a red flag right away for anyone doing business in this regard. And anyone who isn't flexible with payment methods is questionable in my opinion.