...we believe Alibaba can be a great place to make direct contact with manufacturers and suppliers from all over the world – but you have to be prepared to carry out some thorough background research of your own first:
Visit the Alibaba forums and search for feedback about the supplier
Check the supplier’s contact details and give them a call
Spend a while asking lots of questions and chatting before placing an order
Ask for a sample at first, and then place only a small initial order. If they turn out to be fraudulent, you won’t have lost too much.
And the golden rule: Never spend more than you can afford to lose on an order with an untested Alibaba supplier. If you’re down to your last $200, Alibaba isn't the place for you. Instead, start with a local, guaranteed trustworthy supplier until you reach a more stable position.