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Alibaba vendor with rediculously low prices on sony and apple- gotta be a scam?

by Riseagainst77
6 replies
I've received ridiculously law quotes for Sony and apple products on alibaba. Had anyone had experience with this?
My gut tells me it's a scam, but I'm not sure how to qualify it.
#alibaba #apple #gotta #low #prices #rediculously #scam #sony #vendor
  • Profile picture of the author bizgrower
    If they are supposed to be new products, they would have to be an authorized Sony or Apple dealer. True for all major brand electronics (major brand anything, really). You should be able to check with the manufacturer or a real retailer you know.

    And, I've only looked around at alibaba a little bit, but it seems they have some avenues (agents) you can use for such help. And, they have a ratings system similar to Ebay or Amazon.
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    • Profile picture of the author Importexport
      Originally Posted by Riseagainst77 View Post

      I've received ridiculously law quotes for Sony and apple products on alibaba. Had anyone had experience with this?
      My gut tells me it's a scam, but I'm not sure how to qualify it.
      Ridiculously low prices on Alibaba are a red flag. In such cases the vendor will usually require payment through Western Union - Another red flag.

      Never try to import brand name products. They are usually confiscated by Customs, and sometimes you can be fined. One of the lesser consequences is that your name and address will be flagged by Customs and every shipment going to you ever after will be delayed by Customs for thorough examination.

      If the brand owner decides to sue, you could be made bankrupt.

      Originally Posted by bizgrower View Post

      If they are supposed to be new products, they would have to be an authorized Sony or Apple dealer. True for all major brand electronics (major brand anything, really). You should be able to check with the manufacturer or a real retailer you know.

      And, I've only looked around at alibaba a little bit, but it seems they have some avenues (agents) you can use for such help. And, they have a ratings system similar to Ebay or Amazon.
      Agents??? What agents are you referring to? The rating system is a farce. For evidence see: China's Consumer Protection Watchdog Reports On Alibaba

      Using Alibaba for sourcing is almost universally recommended on forums but that is only because they are the biggest, and most importing "experts" say Alibaba is the best. I totally disagree.

      Walter Hay.
      "If you think education is expensive - consider the cost of ignorance."
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      Use emotions and perceptions to build a great brand. Ask me about my book LabelsThatExploit. For safe sourcing and easy importing from 41 countries globally, see https://provenglobalsourcing.com
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      • Profile picture of the author bizgrower
        Originally Posted by Importexport View Post

        Ridiculously low prices on Alibaba are a red flag. In such cases the vendor will usually require payment through Western Union - Another red flag.

        Never try to import brand name products. They are usually confiscated by Customs, and sometimes you can be fined. One of the lesser consequences is that your name and address will be flagged by Customs and every shipment going to you ever after will be delayed by Customs for thorough examination.

        If the brand owner decides to sue, you could be made bankrupt.


        Agents??? What agents are you referring to? The rating system is a farce. For evidence see: China’s Consumer Protection Watchdog Reports On Alibaba

        Using Alibaba for sourcing is almost universally recommended on forums but that is only because they are the biggest, and most importing "experts" say Alibaba is the best. I totally disagree.

        Walter Hay.
        "If you think education is expensive - consider the cost of ignorance."
        I was/am looking for mattress deals for my hotel. Minimum lot sizes on the few offers on Alibaba
        that I looked at don't make sense for me to mess with as they are too big. Then there are the trust,
        shipping and delivery issues.

        Anyway, these are the type of agents I'm referring to (don't know if they're any good on scam/fraud protection for buyers):

        Manufacturers, Suppliers, Exporters;Importers from the largest online B2B marketplace-Alibaba.com and from other B2B, B2C markets.
        Signature

        "If you think you're the smartest person in the room, then you're probably in the wrong room."

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        • Profile picture of the author Importexport
          Originally Posted by bizgrower View Post

          I was/am looking for mattress deals for my hotel. Minimum lot sizes on the few offers on Alibaba
          that I looked at don't make sense for me to mess with as they are too big. Then there are the trust,
          shipping and delivery issues.

          Anyway, these are the type of agents I'm referring to (don't know if they're any good on scam/fraud protection for buyers):

          Manufacturers, Suppliers, Exporters;Importers from the largest online B2B marketplace-Alibaba.com and from other B2B, B2C markets.
          Thanks @bizgrower. The buying agents that are listed on Alibaba give you no extra protection. The chances are that using their service will only result in you paying a lot more than you need to.

          Many of them actually advertise in their listings that they work for businesses in the same field in which they offer to find the best deals for you. Are they really going to recommend a competitor?

          Sourcing/buying/purchasing agents simply add another cost layer without any certainty of benefit. You don't know if they are really working in your best interest or their own.

          Some will charge you a commission or a flat fee, and then get another commission from the supplier they recommend. In Western countries this practice of accepting secret commissions is illegal.

          Some will quote you a price and if you accept they will buy the product, and resell it to you, using a business name they already own. They have already got a much lower price than they quoted you.

          Many of my book users have been in a similar position to you. They have bought a quantity of items for their own business use, not for resale. Don't be put off by the myth that you have to place big orders to buy direct from manufacturers in China and other countries.

          The big Minimum Order Quantities are usually there to deter small fry, and wannabees, but most often they are there because the sellers are traders not manufacturers. They hope to make a sale, using pictures lifted from a manufacturer's website or catalog, and once they have your deposit they then try to get the manufacturer to supply. They need a big order to convince the manufacturer to deal with them.

          You will struggle to find real manufacturers on Alibaba. There are a couple of safe sourcing sites where you can be sure that if a supplier is listed as a manufacturer, that is what they are. I don't publish them online because there is a lot more to safe sourcing than just using a safe site. See reasons, plus some helpful advice here: If your secret B2B portals are so safe why don't you share?


          Walter Hay.
          "If you think education is expensive - consider the cost of ignorance."
          Signature
          Use emotions and perceptions to build a great brand. Ask me about my book LabelsThatExploit. For safe sourcing and easy importing from 41 countries globally, see https://provenglobalsourcing.com
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        • Profile picture of the author DWolfe
          Originally Posted by bizgrower View Post

          I was/am looking for mattress deals for my hotel. Minimum lot sizes on the few offers on Alibaba
          [/url]
          I sent you a pm since you were looking for mattress deals. Don't know if it will help you.
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  • Profile picture of the author ktz16
    Ridiculously low prices for brand name items is a scam. Especially on Alibaba!
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