Safe Sourcing Hub
How to verify any supplier before you send money. Our VERIFY framework — free for every buyer, no account needed.
The VERIFY Checklist
Run through these 6 checks before placing any order. Each one filters out a different type of fraud.
Ask for their business registration (GSTIN in India). Check it on the government portal — takes 2 minutes. No valid tax ID = no deal. On our platform, sellers can't even list products without one.
Request a live video call from the factory floor — not pre-recorded. Ask them to show today's newspaper or write your name on paper during the call. A real factory can do this in 5 minutes. A trader pretending to be a factory cannot.
Ask for 2-3 buyer references from the last 12 months. Call them. Ask: did goods arrive on time? Was quality as promised? Would you order again? One honest "no" saves you from a bad deal.
Always order a sample before bulk. Test it against your exact specification. The sample IS the contract — if bulk doesn't match the sample, you have grounds for a dispute. Never skip this step to "save time."
Get everything in writing: exact specs, quantity, price, delivery date, payment terms, and what happens if quality fails. A written agreement is your evidence if there is a dispute — it does not make TwoDock a party to the sale or a guarantor of payment. Verbal promises mean nothing in a dispute.
How long have they been in business? Check their profile for verified badges, completed orders, and dispute history. A 5-year track record with real reviews beats a 2-month-old "factory" with stock photos every time.
10 Red Flags
If you spot any of these, walk away — no matter how good the price looks.
- Prices 30%+ below everyone else — it's either a scam or quality you'll regret.
- Refuses video calls — "camera broken" for the third time? Not a real factory.
- Only accepts wire transfer to personal account — legitimate businesses have company accounts.
- Pressures you to decide today — "price goes up tomorrow" is a manipulation tactic.
- No business address, only a mobile number — where do you go if something goes wrong?
- Stock photos instead of real factory images — reverse-image-search their photos.
- Won't provide references — "all our clients want privacy" means there are no clients.
- Asks for full payment upfront — standard is 30% deposit, balance on shipment or inspection.
- Company name keeps changing — check how long their domain and registration actually go back.
- Won't put anything in writing — if they won't sign, they won't deliver either.
Incoterms Quick Guide
Who pays for what when goods ship internationally.
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