Wholesale Scams - Is Your Wholesaler Dodgy?
Dupes, rip-off, cheats, we are all afraid of meeting a dodgy wholesaler whose out to scam us. To those looking for reliable wholesalers the 1st time, this risk alone can be a real turn off! The trick to avoid it is to spot it early and stop it before its too late.
In my experiences, there's 4 easy indicator to spot the crooks.
1. They do not sound professional or business-like. Most legitimate wholesalers are trained to be professional and business-like, especially in communication. When answering the phone, they should address themselves under the company or department name. They should know how to handle requests and should not have any problems briefing you on their company's procedures or products.
A fraudster will react in a totally different manner. When answering the phone, they will most probably reply with "What?", "Yes?" or "Hello?". When you inquire further about their products and procedures, they give incoherent answers and will appear very nervous and shifty. Take note of such suspicious signs during your talk with them.
2. Request for business license, sales tax id, address, etc. These are all use for identification and verification purpose, hence any genuine wholesalers will definitely be able to give them. However, a lot of swindlers nowadays are apt at copying real companies details (license, sales tax, etc) but with a different phone number and email. Hence, keep your eyes peeled for such discrepancies.
If possible, make a request to visit their office personally. If they are serious, there shouldn't be any problem at all.
3. Insist on using secure mode of payment. There's no reason not to use secure payment methods, it improves the company's image, security and trustworthiness. Example of such payments are credit cards, paypal, escrow, cod, etc.
Beware of companies which only accept wire transfer or western-union. This is the most common way scammers operate and you should avoid such payment whenever possible. Their accounts are mostly registered under fake Ids and they will dump it immediately upon receiving payment. To make matter worse, most banks are uncooperative in revealing details of the account owner which means you money is gone for good. The Nigerian letter scam, advance fee frauds or 419 scams, operate using such payment methods.
4. They claim they are "out of stock" but still expect you to pay up front. Unless you have past working relationship and experience with them, DO NOT pay them if this is your 1st time working with them. There no reason to demand payment for goods which they don't have in stock.
Although these are not hard and fast rules, you should always exercise caution especially if one or more of the above signs apply to a new wholesale contact you have made.
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