5 red flags on purchases on Alibaba, according to experts
Scams to lower products, here is what retail professionals say to monitor.
Alibaba is undoubtedly one of the larger companies on the planet, thanks to a legendary IPO 2014 who solidified his position. Although the Chinese conglomerate breaks in a bit of everything - from Cloud Computing to the production of digital media - its main objective remains the sprawling electronic commerce network which catapulted it to the status of household name. However, size does not necessarily mean security. When shopping on Alibaba, you shouldn't do it without a victim. This does not mean that you should avoid the site - you should just be attentive. Here are five red flags on purchases on Alibaba, directly from retail experts.
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5 red flags on purchases on Alibaba
1. Yes, scams exist.
"I would say that the main concern during shopping on Alibaba should be to avoid potential scams", " Andy Kalmon , the CEO of the financial consulting company Benny , recount Better life . "Fortunately, [avoiding scams] is quite easy. Look for the sellers with the commercial insurance seal."
Ali Baba Commercial insurance The seal is essential: a gold -shaped gold icon, with a white dollar panel in the center. It works as a good faith insurance policy for everything you get by Alibaba. It also allows you to determine a shipping date, so you can better follow and anticipate the arrival of your products.
"And only carry out transactions via the site itself," adds Kalmon. "Beware of sellers who want you to move the off-site transaction. It is also important to note that haggling is almost expected, so do not feel rude for negotiation with a seller before entering a purchase."
2. Individual suppliers' return policies are important.
Yes, Alibaba has Back stipulations , but these are more guidelines that serve as a de facto intermediary between the buyer and the seller. AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB
Instead, Jonathan Rogers , founder of the credit and financial advice site Credit , advises buyers to verify the return policy of the individual seller from which they buy a product. "Make sure you know when and how to expect a refund."
Rogers also says to check if there are costs to return something. "You can take additional precautions using a third -party payment processor that offers buyers' protection or by buying product insurance."
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3. Avoid everything subject to regulations.
This may look like an obviousness, but it is essential advice: you would probably do better to buy regulated items from a dedicated seller rather than a mass market retailer. Doubly, for a place like Alibaba, where scams can be, if not exactly widespread, at least present to a certain extent.
"It is preferable to avoid buying items subject to strict safety regulations, such as medical devices or children's toys", " Rakhi Oswal , the founder of the luxury e -commerce brand Edio , warns. "You must read the reviews of other buyers, check the supplier identification information and use secure payment methods."
4. Do not expect delivery the same day.
The so-called "any stores" of the day struck the expectation of an almost instantry delivery, with places like Amazon exceeding the perspective of a next delivery or even the day. You shouldn't expect so much if you get Alibaba products - for geographic reasons.
"It is important to be patient," says Oswal. "Delivery times can be longer than what you are used to with domestic purchases."
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5. There is a minimum on bulk orders.
The adage "Try before buying" applies to occasional purchases as much as for more important shipments. Before buying 500 iterations of the same thing, know that you are right to request a test first.
"If you plan to buy a bulk item, taste the product in advance," Cesar Cruz , a fashion designer and co-founder of the luxury electronic commerce brand Sebastian Cruz Couture , recommended.
"For example, let's say that you have found a customizable t-shirt that would suit your sports team or your club on Alibaba. Lightly luck that the article does not correspond to the quality as announced, test the product before Submit a large order, "recommends Cruz.
"Many suppliers need a minimum order limit, so you may need to contact the seller directly to request and buy a sample," he adds.
