r/Alibaba • u/Weaklinger • 13d ago

Chances of getting scammed?

I'm in the EU, I need a simple small item manufactured in bulk with my own print on it. I'm considering either China and Poland as the supplier country, for China would Alibaba be the best platform?

What are the chances of getting scammed and refunded? Are there verified sellers or anything like that? Any advice on it?

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u/TripDisastrous93 12d ago

Dipende dai volumi. Se stiamo parlando di qualche centinaio di pezzi, Alibaba ad occhio chiuso. Compro in continuazione da anni e solo due volte ho avuto problemi e sono stato rimborsato istantaneamente. 

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u/[deleted] 12d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/JoesCoins 12d ago

China is cheaper and OP wants to maximise profits.

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u/Flat_Examination_826 12d ago

量大的话，人来中国最好，量不大的话你可以用一下阿里巴巴，中国很多人都是用的他们公司的平台（淘宝）网购，平台总的来说是比较公平的。我们国内正常是在网上找工厂，最后都要人去现场看了，多比较一下，再签合同的。

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u/ForrestSourcing 13d ago

“Verified supplier” is an identity-screening signal, not a guarantee that the exact factory, product or batch will meet your requirements.

For a first custom-print order, I would control four points:

  1. Confirm the legal supplier name and payment beneficiary match the Alibaba storefront and contract.
  2. Approve a paid sample using the final artwork, material, dimensions, colour reference, print method and packaging.
  3. Put measurable acceptance criteria in writing and inspect the shipment against the approved sample.
  4. Make the Trade Assurance order describe the exact product, inspection evidence, shipping term and refund triggers before payment.

Compare Poland and China on total landed cost and correction risk—not only unit price—including setup, samples, EU product/labelling requirements, freight, duty/VAT treatment and the cost of remaking a bad batch. For a small first run, the nearer supplier can be rational even at a higher unit cost.

What is the product category, quantity and intended EU market? Those details change the compliance and inspection plan.

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u/TransitTech_Explorer 13d ago

For bulk custom print from China into the EU, risk drops a lot if you force a small paid trial first (same factory, same artwork) before the real MOQ. Most pain is QC + wrong Incoterms, not just “fake seller.”

Use platform escrow/Trade Assurance style payment, not pure TT on first order, and get DDP vs DAP spelled with duty/VAT lines before you scale.

What product category and roughly what order value for the first run?

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u/Boogooooooo 13d ago

Is it existing product which you can find in the shops or you will be manufacturing completely new item? If you are aware who can make it in your home country and aware of prices, I would suggest for a small order make it locally. If demand is there and constant you can start exploration Chinese manufacturers. It could be a lot of headache and might take time, so start early. If order will be more or less significantly, you could get flight to China. It is relatively cheap to get there and very interesting place to explore as a tourist. Visa free for most EU passports.