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Gold Suppliers - the real facts

by Importexport
6 replies
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Few people know the truth about what makes a Gold Supplier so much better to deal with....... or are they really better?

I have read numerous posts by warriors stating that to be safe you should only buy from Gold Suppliers. Well that is a load of X@#!!!

As a registered vendor on Alibaba ( I don't actually sell anything) I receive all the latest news from them, and ..... it's on again. In today's email they tell me I can buy Gold Supplier status for $299.

So what is a Gold Supplier? Now here I am talking about all high status symbols on all the major sourcing sites. They go by different names but they all have the same objective.

They are there entirely to make gullible buyers think that those suppliers are more reliable and trustworthy than ordinary suppliers such as those that are just "verified". They do not earn high status by demonstrating good service, complete honesty, excellent reliability, fair returns policy, or any of the things you would expect from suppliers with the top ranking. They buy it.

Thousands of people have been scammed by Gold Suppliers. Ask if you want proof.

I know the rules, but with a bit of effort any person thinking of using one of the major sourcing websites can find out for themselves. I can summarize the status rules very briefly:
  • Verified. Means the business actually exists.
  • Gold Suppliers. Means the business actually exists. And they have paid out some money (currently on Alibaba it is only $299) to make you think they are the best and safest to deal with.
There are safe sourcing sites but you will never see them recommended on the forum because they don't have the massive advertising budgets that the others have.
#facts #gold #real #suppliers
  • Profile picture of the author jumbo1
    What you're saying is true.
    Unless you know for sure that you are dealing with the manufacturer or a huge supplier, the gold sign will not help you distinguish between scammers and good guys.
    However, Alibaba has an inspection service that you can use. You can hire a guy to go to the supplier's premise and make sure he's real and legit. Never used that, but read about it.

    I'm currently having a hard time asking a gold supplier for a refund after I canceled the order. He's not answering me and I'm about to open a dispute case on Paypal.
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    • Profile picture of the author Importexport
      Originally Posted by jumbo1 View Post

      What you're saying is true.
      Unless you know for sure that you are dealing with the manufacturer or a huge supplier, the gold sign will not help you distinguish between scammers and good guys.
      However, Alibaba has an inspection service that you can use. You can hire a guy to go to the supplier's premise and make sure he's real and legit. Never used that, but read about it.

      I'm currently having a hard time asking a gold supplier for a refund after I canceled the order. He's not answering me and I'm about to open a dispute case on Paypal.
      The gold sign does not help in any way, whether you are dealing with a real manufacturer or a wholesaler.

      The inspection service you refer to is simply the verification process that Alibaba use and you don't have to pay for it, the supplier does. It is a good thing the buyers don't have to pay for the verification procedure because it is almost worthless. All it does is to find out that the business really exists and is registered.

      Alibaba visit the supplier, but suppliers can rent an office for a few weeks until the verification process is complete, then they can pack up and move. There is no way they can be found.

      It is common practice in China for businesses to trade under more than one name. Often that is done by legitimate businesses, but it is also done by scammers. They use throw away business names that they register just to look legitimate. After scamming as many people as they can, they ditch that name and start trading again under another.

      Alibaba is not alone in hosting people you should not deal with. All the major sites work on a similar basis. I suggest people read the original post.
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  • Profile picture of the author Matt Kaey
    I've been telling people that for years. Alibaba doesn't hide it either so I don't know why it's been so hard for people to figure it out. People are amazed when i tell them that and they finally see "Gold Suppliers" for what they really are "advertisers". There definitely are some great suppliers who also happen to be Gold Suppliers on Alibaba, but most certainly being "Gold" on Alibaba doesn't mean they are great.

    When you've lived and worked in China as long as I have, you don't even visit Alibaba to do your sourcing anymore, in fact, you don't even visit any sites that are in English.
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    • Profile picture of the author Adrian John
      Can you give us more sourcing examples? some that can be trustful?

      Originally Posted by Matt Kaey View Post

      I've been telling people that for years. Alibaba doesn't hide it either so I don't know why it's been so hard for people to figure it out. People are amazed when i tell them that and they finally see "Gold Suppliers" for what they really are "advertisers". There definitely are some great suppliers who are Gold Suppliers, but most certainly being "Gold" doesn't mean they are great.

      When you've lived and worked in China as long as I have, you don't even visit Alibaba to do your sourcing anymore, if fact, you don't even visit any sites that are in English.
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      • Profile picture of the author Matt Kaey
        Hi Adrian,

        In my experience, there is not a particular SITE that gives you only the best suppliers for each industry / product when it comes to sourcing. I've developed my own list through the years that includes manufacturers / suppliers I've dealt with and other friends and business associates have had good experiences with.

        You can use sites like Alibaba, Globalsources, etc. to find suppliers but you will not be able to tell whether they are to be trusted or not just by there profile or "status" on that site. It still takes good old fashioned research and further direct contact with the supplier, visiting the factory, getting samples or small orders to determine the quality and "real" price. Also, If you contact them directly on Alibaba or any other trade website, it's like bargaining at the market. They'll start out the foreigner at several times the price. I've been here for many years, speak Chinese, and I don't even get involved in the process until the final stages. I let my staff or even a friend or my wife do all of that until i know that we're playing on a level field. It's just the smart and easy way to do it.

        If you or anyone else has any questions about sourcing or dropshipping from China / Asia, i would be glad to answer what i can, just please PM me so I get a notification.

        Originally Posted by Adrian John View Post

        Can you give us more sourcing examples? some that can be trustful?
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  • Profile picture of the author Auctiondebteliminator
    It's the exact same thing as being a 'verified eBay partner' or some business like that.

    Doba used to tout that like crazy. (I just visited their website, I couldn't find it anywhere anymore)

    But you got to be wary of the 'I-purchased-a-status-so-now-I'm-important-and-safe-and-profitable' cub scout merit badges.
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