Has anyone used alibaba.com to order stock for your business?

Hello,

Must agree with both previous answers. Ali Baba, Tradekey and so on, are just directories. I can tell you that Ali Baba does not have a rigorous rating system like Ebay, which protects buyers first! So, as with the other answers, you need to spend a little time doing background and Google searches. Then, you can explore Ali Baba 'Escrow', a system most sellers don't like, because you send your funds to Ali Baba to 'HOLD" and the seller sends the goods without payment, until receive and inspect the goods. The seller has no control, if your not happy, you notify Ali Baba, and they don't release the product! Bank Transfer means you have records, but little else.

DON'T be tricked to using Western Union or Moneygram, you may as well walk outside on a windy day, and release your cash into the breeze, I am serious! Many people (Few are called business people, although you have to search for them???), will push Western Union or Moneygram very hard. Don't fall for it. Most cases you will lose your money, as I have done!

Ali Baba actually has a forum section where an example discussed doing a reverse scam check on a company? Yes, to verify if they are scammers or legitimate businesses.

Be careful, don't be scared off, do your research, and keep asking. Check the forums on this site to learn from other's experiences and how to deal with it, and the rewards will be there.

Good luck,

Derek

1

You have to be cautious as when dealing with a stranger. Everywhere there is good and evil.

I would do some investigative work on that company you are about to order stock from through your embassy in that country or spend few bucks on a lawyer over there, before any final decisions are taken.

If it is a commercial arrangement, it is recommended that getting your bank involved is well worth it. Remember bank-to-bank payments as per you instructions with your bank, will arraigned that there is no money exchange takes place, before you are happy with the product or service that you receive. Banks will advise you and help you set the terms on when and how is safe to do the payment.

On you request, elinios@yahoo.com I could provide you with a financial services contact able to assume the above or further advice. Good luck!!!

Alibaba is just a directory - like Yellow Pages. There are good companies on there, and bad companies on there.

Fill in the forms, most of the companies will get back to you, see what the have to offer and what there terms/prices are and decide of you want to proceed. Nearly all the companies will expect you to pay before you get the goods, and in my experience they expect bank transfers in US$ - a relatively unsecure payment method for the buyer.