Last month, a client sent me photos of 5,000 phone cases. The stitching was crooked. The logos were off-center. The supplier had vanished. They'd paid $18,000 upfront. No contract. No factory audit. Just a few WeChat messages and a promise. This isn't rare. I've seen it happen dozens of times in my 15 years sourcing from China. The difference between success and disaster? Knowing what red flags to spot before you wire money. In this guide, I'll show you the 10 warning signs t

After 15 years verifying Chinese suppliers for Amazon sellers and importers, I've seen every scam in the book. The worst part? Most red flags are obvious — but buyers miss them because they're excited about low prices or fast timelines. This checklist shows you the 10 warning signs that should make you walk away immediately. Each one comes from a real deal I've handled, where someone lost money (or almost did). Use this before you send a single deposit. Red Flag #1: They Can'