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Sharing my lifetime experience in export/import. Product sourcing specialist.

Walter Hay

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Hello Walter

Do you know anything about DGM Certificate? My supplier tells me that it is required for transportation. Costs around $90. I find it weird that they don't have it on their own if they are selling the product.

A DGM Certificate is for dangerous goods, usually by air. Each shipment would need a certificate and I think $90 is about right.

Walter
 
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Thanks Walter

This is my first order from alibaba so I wanted to ask you, how tied is alibaba system to shipping? What I mean by that is, if I order 4 products from one seller, does he have the freedom to list them as something different when he is shipping it with DHL?

My seller has changed my product name list in alibaba to something different by explaining that it is in order to clean customs easier.

My gut feeling is telling me that if I agree to this then I might receive exactly what is under updated the product name field (not the 4 products we have talked about it with the seller) and later on I cannot open a dispute either because that's exactly what I ordered.

I am trying to order a specific kind of mushroom extract, which is in capsules, bottled and includes labels. The seller wants to have under our product name list "XXX Mushroom extract", leaving out all the info about the product being in capsules, bottled and labels.

I don't want to end with 22kg's of powdered mushroom extract which isn't packaged or capsulated.

The mushroom extract what I want to order in capsules is fermented together from different mushrooms and there is a trademarked product name in the market with the same recipe so you cannot ship products under that product name. However, I don't see how that has to do with anything regarding clearing the customs easier since I am not asking the seller to write that name anywhere anyway.
 

Walter Hay

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Thanks Walter

This is my first order from alibaba so I wanted to ask you, how tied is alibaba system to shipping? What I mean by that is, if I order 4 products from one seller, does he have the freedom to list them as something different when he is shipping it with DHL?

My seller has changed my product name list in alibaba to something different by explaining that it is in order to clean customs easier.

My gut feeling is telling me that if I agree to this then I might receive exactly what is under updated the product name field (not the 4 products we have talked about it with the seller) and later on I cannot open a dispute either because that's exactly what I ordered.

I am trying to order a specific kind of mushroom extract, which is in capsules, bottled and includes labels. The seller wants to have under our product name list "XXX Mushroom extract", leaving out all the info about the product being in capsules, bottled and labels.

I don't want to end with 22kg's of powdered mushroom extract which isn't packaged or capsulated.

The mushroom extract what I want to order in capsules is fermented together from different mushrooms and there is a trademarked product name in the market with the same recipe so you cannot ship products under that product name. However, I don't see how that has to do with anything regarding clearing the customs easier since I am not asking the seller to write that name anywhere anyway.
You are right to be concerned about what the supplier is doing.

No, they should not list the items differently to what is actually in the package. You should have received a ProForma Invoice (PI) setting out in detail how the products are packed among other things. The PI should match the Commercial Invoice that should accompany the goods.

When they refer to clearing customs, they might mean Chinese Customs, but that is their problem, not yours, and the change in description can't help them. In relation to clearing customs at your end, the incorrect description could very like result in a huge delay and penalties for you.

I hope you have checked food label regulations at your end. It is vital for you to comply, and Customs will check that.

Walter
 

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Walter,

I'd like to start really drilling down on the QA process, particularly utilizing inspection services. Are there any resources you recommend for learning how to navigate acquiring an inspection service, ie what information they will want from me in terms of what I am needing done?

I've got one product in particular I'd like to go a little deeper on than just a pre-shipment inspection, but don't want to contact an inspection service sounding like an uneducated neophyte running an eCommerce biz out of his man cave (even though I, well...am).
 
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Walter Hay

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Walter,

I'd like to start really drilling down on the QA process, particularly utilizing inspection services. Are there any resources you recommend for learning how to navigate acquiring an inspection service, ie what information they will want from me in terms of what I am needing done?

I've got one product in particular I'd like to go a little deeper on than just a pre-shipment inspection, but don't want to contact an inspection service sounding like an uneducated neophyte running an eCommerce biz out of his man cave (even though I, well...am).
The most important part of the process of arranging professional quality inspections is preparation of specifications for your order. These can form the basis of the inspection. If you have set out exactly what you require, a good inspection service will be obliged to check that those specifications have been complied with.

Depending on the product, such specifications can be very complex or very simple. You need to give considerable thought to what it is that you require, not only in production, but also labeling and packaging - both individual packaging and shipping packaging.

It is very easy to neglect small aspects of quality. A good example is in relation to threads in fabric items. These could be clothing, woven items, embroidered items, soft toys etc. If you don't want loose threads to remain at the cut off location after manufacture, you must state "All loose threads are to be removed." Note: This will cost extra because it is very labor intensive and labor costs money even in China.

If an item is made of copper, brass, steel, or plastic etc, you might need to specify minimum and maximum thickness. Chinese manufacturers can handle either imperial or metric measurements. Bear in mind that the thickness at a corner will often be greater than at other parts of the product.

If color is critical, quote Pantone colors, also known as PMS.

There are a number of inspection services to choose from and I have provided a list here: Sharing my lifetime experience in export/import. Product sourcing specialist.

Walter
 

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Hi Walter,

Have you ever heard of/used the freight forwarder JCEX? My manufacturer in Shanghai shipped my order via JCEX. I have never heard of the company before nor have I had orders sent via them before. If you do know them, how are they with respect to express shipping speed?

Thanks in advance.
 

Walter Hay

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Hi Walter,

Have you ever heard of/used the freight forwarder JCEX? My manufacturer in Shanghai shipped my order via JCEX. I have never heard of the company before nor have I had orders sent via them before. If you do know them, how are they with respect to express shipping speed?

Thanks in advance.
Yes they are reasonably well established, with the bulk of their business being with customers in developing countries in Africa and also India. They do have representative offices in other countries, and their express courier services seem to work quite well. I have no direct experience of them, and have read few comments about them.

Walter
 
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Hi Walter- I am a noobie to Amazon FBA and after taking webinars and researching your threads and others I feel like there are other takes to sell on Amazon. The webinars teach to private label a product in the top 100, nice images, description, searching Alibaba and selecting the badges Gold etc. The links in this thread lead to sites indicating not private labeling, and not selecting badges during Alibaba researching. I am trying to find the true path to take and feel like further researching Amazon FBA takes different directions. I am interested in your book and was curious if it would lead me to the correct route. I feel like the webinars are taking to different directions.
 
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Hi Walter

I've received an email from a freight forwarder based in China who's offered me a cheaper price for my current shipment although its going to take slightly longer (6 days instead of 3). How do i make sure that the company is legitimate? After all i received was an email from them and for all i know they could collect my goods and i could never see them again!

Thanks
Paul
 

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Hi Walter- I am a noobie to Amazon FBA and after taking webinars and researching your threads and others I feel like there are other takes to sell on Amazon. The webinars teach to private label a product in the top 100, nice images, description, searching Alibaba and selecting the badges Gold etc. The links in this thread lead to sites indicating not private labeling, and not selecting badges during Alibaba researching. I am trying to find the true path to take and feel like further researching Amazon FBA takes different directions. I am interested in your book and was curious if it would lead me to the correct route. I feel like the webinars are taking to different directions.
I am not an online selling expert, but I keep track of what is on offer. Webinars tend to be conducted by people who have had at least some success in selling, sometimes great success, but don't know a lot about safe sourcing and even less about importing. I will message you with a link to one low cost Amazon course that stands out in my view.

The fact that the webinars you have seen recommend selecting Gold badge suppliers on Alibaba shows that they are out of date. If they were actually importing, they would know that now, the only suppliers you can contact via Alibaba are Gold Suppliers. If you use the Alibaba contact form for non-Gold Suppliers it will be ignored. The other thing they all seem ignorant of is that Gold Suppliers are nothing more than Verified Suppliers that have paid money for the badge to give the impression that they are more reliable.

The fact is that in both cases all that has been verified is that they exist, and in the case of the Gold ones, their check was paid by the bank.

Yes, my book will help you source the products you want, but no, it won't help you decide which products to sell. It will also guide you through the process of importing the products you buy, and every new importer should know that before they place an order.

I am currently writing an alert to send to all of my thousands of book users, updating the section on Alibaba. It will be part of the next edition, but from time to time I send out alerts when major changes take place.

Walter
 
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Walter Hay

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Hi Walter

I've received an email from a freight forwarder based in China who's offered me a cheaper price for my current shipment although its going to take slightly longer (6 days instead of 3). How do i make sure that the company is legitimate? After all i received was an email from them and for all i know they could collect my goods and i could never see them again!

Thanks
Paul
Hi Paul, message me with the name and I will check them out for you. An important question is: How did they know you were obtaining a shipment?

Regarding rates, it is possible to obtain reasonably fast delivery but slower than the usual 3 days if your freight forwarder is buying space and doesn't ship until his air cargo container is full.

Walter
 

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Hi Paul, message me with the name and I will check them out for you. An important question is: How did they know you were obtaining a shipment?

Regarding rates, it is possible to obtain reasonably fast delivery but slower than the usual 3 days if your freight forwarder is buying space and doesn't ship until his air cargo container is full.

Walter
HI Walter

Thanks for your reply. I have messaged you with their name.

They didn't know I was about to do a shipment, they had sent me an email last month asking me to consider them for future orders.

Thanks
Paul

Sent from my D5803 using Tapatalk
 

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HI Walter

Thanks for your reply. I have messaged you with their name.

They didn't know I was about to do a shipment, they had sent me an email last month asking me to consider them for future orders.

Thanks
Paul

Sent from my D5803 using Tapatalk
You will have seen my message warning against using that company. For the benefit of other readers I would like to give their name, as I am sure you won't be dealing with them.

The company is PGS Global express company Ltd. They apparently usually quote 3-5 days, but in one case the reported final "express" delivery was 13 days. I have always advised against using Chinese forwarders. I am testing one at present, and so far so good, but I won't post a recommendation until I am very sure of them.

Shop around with local freight forwarders, or ask your supplier to quote freight for you. Suppliers in China will usually get better rates than you can.

Walter
 
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The big difference is that regulations for those importing goods to most Asia/Pacific countries are still bound up in a lot of needless red tape, but importing from those countries has been greatly simplified.

3 cardinal rules would be:
  1. If exporting to Asia, find a good agent in the destination country. Don't try to export direct to commercial end users. A good agent will have "cousins" in business and that can be the start of a good network.
  2. When importing from Asia Pacific countries carefully attend to due diligence. Part of the need for this is cultural differences. For example Chinese business people will rarely say no. If they say yes, it could mean maybe, possibly, no, or even yes. Because they sometimes say yes when they should say no, don't be annoyed, just frame your question so that a yes or no answer is not required.
  3. Get everything in writing. Dot every i and cross every t, so that there can be no misunderstandings.
Importing from Asia Pacific countries is easy once you understand the process, but exporting to those countries can be hard work even when you do understand. I prefer the easier life of importing.

Walter
is there any particular reason for the difficulty of exporting? I am interested in both and am venturing on both realms, but for some reason why is exporting american goods to those nations (india, pakistan, bangladesh more so then china) difficult?
 

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is there any particular reason for the difficulty of exporting? I am interested in both and am venturing on both realms, but for some reason why is exporting american goods to those nations (india, pakistan, bangladesh more so then china) difficult?
The red tape and corruption in some of those countries makes an exporter's life difficult.

For example, a customs clearance document might not even be printed in western countries, because it is all entered electronically. In India you might have multiple copies of a document, all stamped by 4 or 5 different officials. This procedure helps minimize unemployment.

If you are exporting to India, Pakistan or Bangladesh from a country that doesn't have a Free Trade Agreement with those countries, the Customs process is slow, and duty is high. It is possible to speed up the process, but I don't dare tell you how.

I won't tell you which country it was, but I was once quickly taken through the immigration counter without even having my passport checked, because my contact was a businessman with great influence and he walked me through.

Walter
 

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Just finished reading the whole thread today. I have to say that Im extremely impressed and grateful to you, Walter, for sharing your wealth of knowledge with everyone here.

When I originally joined this forum, I wasn't 100% sure what I wanted to do. I had some big dreams about building apps or the sort. However after going through the thread Im now tempted to start dabbling in the import business.

Im currently residing in Thailand. Ive been here 5 years already. I can speak semi-decent Thai so I dont think communicating with manufacturers here would be a problem. From reading in the thread it seems like one of Thailands good qualities would be the ability to export textiles.

What do you think of that idea Walter? Im sure there are other products here as well worthy of exporting, but as of right now Im not 100% sure. I figure since Im here already why not exploit the local production and spare myself having painfully long communications with Chinese manufacturers. Once I get more experience, I could move on to bigger ventures, possibly from China or other countries depending on profitability.

I would prefer to sell B2B as it seems like the profitability once you get some customers would be much greater than having the hassle to go through Amazon/eBay as a main outlet.

If I end up doing this, I fully intend to buy your book as I have never seen such a level of selflessness in regards to business. Thank you again!

-Alex
 
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Just finished reading the whole thread today. I have to say that Im extremely impressed and grateful to you, Walter, for sharing your wealth of knowledge with everyone here.

When I originally joined this forum, I wasn't 100% sure what I wanted to do. I had some big dreams about building apps or the sort. However after going through the thread Im now tempted to start dabbling in the import business.

Im currently residing in Thailand. Ive been here 5 years already. I can speak semi-decent Thai so I dont think communicating with manufacturers here would be a problem. From reading in the thread it seems like one of Thailands good qualities would be the ability to export textiles.

What do you think of that idea Walter? Im sure there are other products here as well worthy of exporting, but as of right now Im not 100% sure. I figure since Im here already why not exploit the local production and spare myself having painfully long communications with Chinese manufacturers. Once I get more experience, I could move on to bigger ventures, possibly from China or other countries depending on profitability.

I would prefer to sell B2B as it seems like the profitability once you get some customers would be much greater than having the hassle to go through Amazon/eBay as a main outlet.

If I end up doing this, I fully intend to buy your book as I have never seen such a level of selflessness in regards to business. Thank you again!

-Alex
Well Alex, you are in a great position to do well by finding unique products. I would look for something unique rather than try the textile market first.

The only hitch is that selling B2B from Thailand won't be as easy as selling B2C, at least at first. If you get a B2C market established to prove the viability, wholesale B2B orders could be your next step.

First, look around you and see what you can buy in Thailand that you can't buy in other countries, or that you know are incredibly cheap there compared to other places. Street markets and small retail stores could be selling products that are not sold elsewhere. Finding the source would be easier for you than it was for me when I started off visiting China, because you have the advantage of being local, with a lot more time than I had as a visitor to research the products I found.

A manufacturer might have a great product but doesn't have the ability to export. When you know how it is done that might make it possible for you to buy from them without even telling them that you are exporting. You will be on the spot for quality control, which is a major factor in successful exporting.

Feel free to ask me privately about any ideas you might have, rather than publicize it to possible competitors. If your questions don't involve confidential information, ask me in this thread because the answers might help others.

Walter
 

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Well Alex, you are in a great position to do well by finding unique products. I would look for something unique rather than try the textile market first.

The only hitch is that selling B2B from Thailand won't be as easy as selling B2C, at least at first. If you get a B2C market established to prove the viability, wholesale B2B orders could be your next step.

First, look around you and see what you can buy in Thailand that you can't buy in other countries, or that you know are incredibly cheap there compared to other places. Street markets and small retail stores could be selling products that are not sold elsewhere. Finding the source would be easier for you than it was for me when I started off visiting China, because you have the advantage of being local, with a lot more time than I had as a visitor to research the products I found.

A manufacturer might have a great product but doesn't have the ability to export. When you know how it is done that might make it possible for you to buy from them without even telling them that you are exporting. You will be on the spot for quality control, which is a major factor in successful exporting.

Feel free to ask me privately about any ideas you might have, rather than publicize it to possible competitors. If your questions don't involve confidential information, ask me in this thread because the answers might help others.

Walter


Thanks so much Walter. I cant help but agree with everything you've mentioned. Finding unique products will probably be easier instead of diving straight into something more complicated as textiles and would yield higher ROI to begin with as well. I see your point about having to sell B2C at first as well. I'm going to go ahead and buy your book right away. Thank you so much sir!
 

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Hope all is well Walter. I was going to PM you regarding my upcoming question, but figured it might benefit the group, so I posted it here.

About a week ago, I stumbled across a manufacturer based in Canada by chance. This manufacturer carries the product I currently import from China amongst other potential products I would like to import and distribute.

I found the manufacturer through their website. They are not on Alibaba or other sourcing platforms - to my knowledge. Under their "Contact Us" section, they offer a generic form in which you can inquire about a product or service with a section for a company name.

They offer phone numbers for their head office in Canada, but also phone numbers for their US based manufacturing plant. For the US location, they offer a number for the Order Desk.

Here is my dilemma.

I would like to inquire about placing an order. I think it wise to call the Order Desk as opposed to submitting a request online, but am apprehensive to do so as I am still not registered as a business. I am used to making up business names and titles on Alibaba, but I have never gone outside of sourcing platforms to contact manufacturers.

Would it be in my benefit to make up a company name once again? I plan on having the manufacturer brand my product as well, and will have my "made up" company name coincide with my brand.

I guess what I am trying to understand is: whether or not the process is any different?

Thank you in advance Walter.
 
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Hope all is well Walter. I was going to PM you regarding my upcoming question, but figured it might benefit the group, so I posted it here.

About a week ago, I stumbled across a manufacturer based in Canada by chance. This manufacturer carries the product I currently import from China amongst other potential products I would like to import and distribute.

I found the manufacturer through their website. They are not on Alibaba or other sourcing platforms - to my knowledge. Under their "Contact Us" section, they offer a generic form in which you can inquire about a product or service with a section for a company name.

They offer phone numbers for their head office in Canada, but also phone numbers for their US based manufacturing plant. For the US location, they offer a number for the Order Desk.

Here is my dilemma.

I would like to inquire about placing an order. I think it wise to call the Order Desk as opposed to submitting a request online, but am apprehensive to do so as I am still not registered as a business. I am used to making up business names and titles on Alibaba, but I have never gone outside of sourcing platforms to contact manufacturers.

Would it be in my benefit to make up a company name once again? I plan on having the manufacturer brand my product as well, and will have my "made up" company name coincide with my brand.

I guess what I am trying to understand is: whether or not the process is any different?

Thank you in advance Walter.
The big difference is that you will be able to talk freely in English, but also they might expect you to have a US reseller permit in order to claim tax exemption, although exports are normally exempt from sales tax. There is also the issue of tax in Canada, but I guess you have that sorted out.

I suggest that you really should at least have a business name for making contact with the local supplier, whichever way you do it.

If they have a phone number for the Canadian H.O. I would call them there in order to make yourself known to them, but if not, phone their US order desk.

The only problem I see with contacting the order desk is that it is likely to be set up for retail sales, not wholesale, so be prepared for that. Let them know early in your conversation that you want to buy in bulk, and you might find they will refer you to a different department. You might have trouble locating a contact for that department unless you go through the order desk.

Walter
 

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Hi Walter,

thanks again for your valuabe advice so far. Since my product needs batteries I might need a battery report. Do you know anything about this topic? I've heard that in europe importers need a report from the manufacturer of the batteries they are selling to show that the batteries are conform with the european rules and guidelines for batteries (for example if they don't pass the maximum amount of zinc or whatever)

I am sure my manufacturer is not making the batteries themself, but they order from another chinese company. Do you know how to ask for these reports and how to check their credibility?

Best regards,

Paul
 

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The big difference is that you will be able to talk freely in English, but also they might expect you to have a US reseller permit in order to claim tax exemption, although exports are normally exempt from sales tax. There is also the issue of tax in Canada, but I guess you have that sorted out.

I suggest that you really should at least have a business name for making contact with the local supplier, whichever way you do it.

If they have a phone number for the Canadian H.O. I would call them there in order to make yourself known to them, but if not, phone their US order desk.

The only problem I see with contacting the order desk is that it is likely to be set up for retail sales, not wholesale, so be prepared for that. Let them know early in your conversation that you want to buy in bulk, and you might find they will refer you to a different department. You might have trouble locating a contact for that department unless you go through the order desk.

Walter

Thanks again Walter. I will be sure to follow your advice. As always, you are immensely helpful.
 
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Hi Walter,

thanks again for your valuabe advice so far. Since my product needs batteries I might need a battery report. Do you know anything about this topic? I've heard that in europe importers need a report from the manufacturer of the batteries they are selling to show that the batteries are conform with the european rules and guidelines for batteries (for example if they don't pass the maximum amount of zinc or whatever)

I am sure my manufacturer is not making the batteries themself, but they order from another chinese company. Do you know how to ask for these reports and how to check their credibility?

Best regards,

Paul
Hi Paul, You will need to ask the supplier for copies of compliance certificates. Don't accept them on face value, but check with the certifying authority to confirm that they are genuine.

Maybe it would be worth considering selling the product without batteries included. That could save you a lot of trouble, but might reduce your sales.

Walter
 

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Hi Paul, You will need to ask the supplier for copies of compliance certificates. Don't accept them on face value, but check with the certifying authority to confirm that they are genuine.

Maybe it would be worth considering selling the product without batteries included. That could save you a lot of trouble, but might reduce your sales.

Walter

Thanks Walter. I will ask them for the compliance certificates.
Not considered removing the batteries but I thought about replacing them with batteries from an established german company.
Since they are in all big stores and on the market for a very long time they should be genuine.
 

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Thanks Walter. I will ask them for the compliance certificates.
Not considered removing the batteries but I thought about replacing them with batteries from an established german company.
Since they are in all big stores and on the market for a very long time they should be genuine.
Good thinking. By the way, I have seen German made batteries selling retail in other countries at prices as low as Chinese ones.

Walter
 
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Niptuck MD

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The red tape and corruption in some of those countries makes an exporter's life difficult.

For example, a customs clearance document might not even be printed in western countries, because it is all entered electronically. In India you might have multiple copies of a document, all stamped by 4 or 5 different officials. This procedure helps minimize unemployment.

If you are exporting to India, Pakistan or Bangladesh from a country that doesn't have a Free Trade Agreement with those countries, the Customs process is slow, and duty is high. It is possible to speed up the process, but I don't dare tell you how.

I won't tell you which country it was, but I was once quickly taken through the immigration counter without even having my passport checked, because my contact was a businessman with great influence and he walked me through.

Walter

So knowing and establishing common relationship is not only ESsential but vital for those aforementioned nations for me to be able to trade in? I have a big name contact in one of those countries.


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The supplier that I'm strongly considering working with doesn't even take PayPal. Is that a red flag? They offered payment methods of Western Union, T/T, or Alibaba trade assurance. It's funny though because I was looking at some import slips and I know this company has done business in the states.

Although I have not paid a dime yet, I'm thinking of asking them if they would be willing to do a mutual payment through escrow.com. It's a pretty large order 1 product type in 25 styles. I'm looking to sample each style as well.

Q. 12 I have copied only one question here, but I have received very similar questions relating to the same problem encountered in dealing with other B2B platforms that offer escrow.

Q. I have received a parcel from a supplier I found on dhgate and it contains nothing but scrap paper! I had to sign for it before I could open it to check it, so Dhgate say it has been received and they will release payment within 2 days. The rules for disputes are too @#!!X*! complicated and they seem to be changing them when they reply to my complaint because I can’t find the rules they quote on the website. What can I do? This cost me $130.

A. You have seen in my forum posts that I would never recommend DHgate because of the huge number of scams reported, but I am happy to help for your future buying. There are many possible problems with the so-called protection provided by escrow services controlled by the big B2B sites, and you have been caught out by one of them. Because DHgate have told you that because you signed for the parcel, payment will be released to the seller, they will also ask you for proof that the package only contained paper, but any bunny would know that a photo is useless as proof. They will tell you to return the parcel to the supplier, but the supplier will either say they did not receive it, or that it had the goods inside when they sent it.DH gate are only going through the motions until you give up.

If you paid through PayPal, lodge a dispute with them, but do not say that the goods are not as described, otherwise PayPal will reject your dispute. Tell them that this is a fraud and you signed for an empty package. Depending on which country you are in, contact any government fraud watch body and report this fraud, asking them to contact PayPal and DHgate.com on your behalf. This method has worked for others.

In future, ask the courier to wait while you open the package. If he/she is a reasonable person they will allow this and you can then refuse to sign for it if it contains paper or other filling instead of the product. I have known people to receive stones, and in one case a brick.

For the benefit of other readers, I add that you should save a screen shot of the page where you found the product listing, as well as keeping copies of all emails, whether through your own email account or your member’s email on the B2B site. Do this progressively from the beginning of your earliest negotiations to buy, right through to receiving notice of shipment. Save every email even after that point. A number of people report finding all their member emails deleted and that makes it impossible to pursue a dispute claim.

Remember that in almost every case you will be required to return the goods in order to have your claim processed. It is common for suppliers to not take delivery of your parcel, and so they can say you did not return it. That will be another loss to add to what you have already paid.

Make sure you have read the escrow rules, if you can find them. Copy them also.

SOLUTION: In future ask the supplier to accept payment through a reliable service such as escrow.com, telling them you will pay the escrow fees. If they refuse, look for a supplier you can trust, because if they refuse, it could be because they are not trustworthy. You may have to look on websites other than the one where you usually source products.

You can offer some evidence regarding escrow.com’s high standing:
In the US Government’s Strategic Partners List, escrow.com are listed first: http://export.gov/CSPartners/eg_main_051038.asp
eBay will only allow the use of escrow services provided by escrow.com see: http://pages.ebay.com/help/pay/escrow.html
Licensing of escrow.com by government authorities can be found here: https://www.escrow.com/escrow-101/escrow-licenses.aspx
 

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So knowing and establishing common relationship is not only ESsential but vital for those aforementioned nations for me to be able to trade in? I have a big name contact in one of those countries.


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Trusted contacts can be very valuable if they have influence, or if they know people who have.

Walter
 
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Walter Hay

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The supplier that I'm strongly considering working with doesn't even take PayPal. Is that a red flag? They offered payment methods of Western Union, T/T, or Alibaba trade assurance. It's funny though because I was looking at some import slips and I know this company has done business in the states.

Although I have not paid a dime yet, I'm thinking of asking them if they would be willing to do a mutual payment through escrow.com. It's a pretty large order 1 product type in 25 styles. I'm looking to sample each style as well.
I wouldn't see refusal to accept PayPal as a red flag. Many genuine manufacturers won't use it.

You might need to offer to pay the escrow.com fees. Chinese businesses are generally not familiar with escrow.com, so you might need to give them some information about their history, structure, affiliations, and relevant government regulations that cover them.

They should be willing to accept a Letter of Credit. That is very safe, provided the documents they provide are genuine.

Walter
 

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Trusted contacts can be very valuable if they have influence, or if they know people who have.

Walter

thank you for your insight sir. it is of a big and great help
 

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