Read this before you buy stuff off Alibaba.com
 

It just blew my mind how cheap stuff is off Alibaba. Of course, you have to buy container vans' full of stuff (LOL). Anyway, be careful. There's some funkilicious stuff going down: http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2...ns-over-frauds

Nice read

ali baba? do i look like an uranium knite n shit?

(note- this is an actual user comment)

That sucks. Around 2,300 vendors, out of 140,000, engaged in fraud. David Wei, chief executive of Alibaba.com, has resigned after a 'systemic breakdown in the company's culture of integrity. Be careful where you buy from.

and the 40 thieves

That was bound to happen...

I came across that site a few years ago. It was obvious how scammy it was so this doesn't surprise me.

Alibaba is not for small time purchases. That site is for wholesale in quanities. We own a mainstream business as well and spend a good bit buying produts thier. Most are custom made for us. Its just like anything else, you have to do your research. All those compaines that post thier all want typically 30-50% up front some we deal with even want 100%. So yea you can get screwed very quickly. But its no different then in adult. You pay some people before the work gets done you get fucked as well. Research research research thats the best i can advise anyone before wiring someone in China or any other place money ;)

I heard its a nice place to buy bulk... Indeed a nice piece of information... thanks for sharing.. Will go through it..:)

That's what happens when you trust random chinamen from the internet with thousands of dollars. I been looking at putting some packages together for resale in a certain mainstream niche through some Alibaba manufacturers. Then you look and the shit is like "Miinimum 50,000 order" and all i can think is "fuck it..."

most of the items are from china.

frauders should be go!

Most hilarious reply yet :thumbsup

i purchased a container load of dildos from alibaba

Captain Obvious wanted to be here for your post but he had a stroke from the sheer stupidity of it.

I just bught a container full of...

http://img.alibaba.com/images/cms/up.../0802/omer.jpg

Anyone know the steps to get a container from China?

if you need smaller quanities use aliexpress.com Stuff is higher but it better protects your money. You put the money in escrow and they ship. Once you get it you release the funds. Thats the safer route but again yu pay more per item ;)

As far as contrainers you do not need to buy anywhere near that much. Everything we purchase is sent DHL and i have ever had a issue. Takes 4 days to get to me from China and i am in the US

- You'll work with a broker in China, through alibaba/etc, who is your middle man to the manufacturers.

- Work with a customs broker at your port to handle the import details.

- Pay for your box with a letter of credit (money doesn't move until you have a bill of lading).

- Have a guy on the ground to inspect your shit before it is prepped for delivery (remember, no BoL, money doesn't move, so don't let it on the boat until your guy has OK'ed it).

- Make sure you have plenty of lead time. Your box could get sucked into customs vortex for a few weeks, so be able to manage the potential impact.

Still I'd keep away from electronics and more expensive stuff unless you have an agent who can check out the goods locally in the factory (there are companies specialized for that), its fine to order textile/fabric etc online.. We ordered a test group of clappers and every single one of those fuckers made lightshows and randomly turned lights on or off, regardless of sensitivity dial. Good around new years' though..