Chovm.com is one of the largest B2B platforms globally, serving over a billion active customers annually. Instead of selling products directly, this China-based platform connects manufacturers and wholesalers with businesses worldwide. However, all intermediary e-commerce sites face challenges, including scams and counterfeit goods.
While the platform is legitimate and highly successful, with millions of users, buyers must verify the authenticity of suppliers before making any purchases. Being cautious is key when buying online (not just from Chovm.com).
With proper vigilance, buyers can avoid receiving items in poor condition, not getting them, or ending up with counterfeit products. This guide aims to help brands navigate and combat the counterfeiting issues buyers can face on e-commerce platforms like Chovm.com.
İçindekiler
Scope of the scam problem on Chovm.com
6 common scams businesses can encounter on Chovm.com
7 things to do to avoid scams while searching for reliable suppliers
Tamamlayan
Scope of the scam problem on Chovm.com
Counterfeiting is a serious issue affecting businesses worldwide. According to the Milletlerarası Ticaret Odası, counterfeiting and piracy could surpass US$ 4.2 trillion in economic losses, threatening 5.4 million legitimate jobs.
However, Chovm.com has made significant strides in fighting counterfeit goods. In 2023, its anti-counterfeiting alliance helped protect 730,000 markalar. Additionally, 98% of intellectual property infringement cases were addressed and resolved within 24 hours of being reported. Although it hasn’t eliminated scams entirely, these efforts make it easier to spot them early.
6 common scams businesses can encounter
1. “Cheap” branded products
Some wholesalers on Chovm.com might say they offer brand-name products at lower prices because they’re the original manufacturers, cutting out the middleman. But buyers must be careful—any branded product on Chovm.com should raise a red flag.
Experts generally advise retailers to avoid buying branded items from the platform, as they are often counterfeit. This warning also applies to licensed products like clothing with sports team logos or Disney characters.
2. High-quality sample, low-quality products
Many companies request a product sample before placing a large order—and it’s the right to do. Usually, the manufacturer will send high-quality samples, convincing buyers to commit to bulk purchases. However, when the entire order arrives, the products may fall far short of the sample’s quality.
3. Non-delivery scams
This type of scam is one of the most common in e-commerce. A key warning sign is when a supplier has been in business for less than a year. They may have started legitimate, but if things don’t go well, they could turn to fraud—selling products, taking the money, and disappearing.
In some cases, these sellers may have been fraudulent from the beginning. These new “companies” often vanish quickly and move to other sites or create fresh accounts to scam more buyers. They might even make fake websites to look like genuine manufacturers. When it’s time to pay, they may ask buyers to pay to the “boss’s account,” claiming their usual payment isn’t working.
4. Price increase after ordering
Some suppliers will try to draw buyers in with an unbeatable price. But once retailers start the process (i.e., discussing the deal and making a deposit), they may suddenly raise the price, blaming rising raw material costs. At this point, businesses may feel pressured to agree to the new terms because they’ve already invested time and money.
5. Sahte profiller
Some scammers might set up a free, unverified Chovm.com profile using the details of an honest company from the EU, US, or UK. They may even create fake websites to appear more credible, pretending to sell that company’s unbranded or branded goods. In many cases, buyers will never get the products they paid for or will receive counterfeit versions.
7 things to do to avoid scams while searching for reliable suppliers
1. Consider Chovm Gold suppliers
Chovm.com’s Gold Suppliers membership is one way to ensure a supplier’s credibility in the marketplace. Although it doesn’t guarantee buyers won’t encounter a scam, it does make it less likely as it involves annual payments. The plans include Basic (US$ 2,999 per year), Standard (US$ 3,999 per year), and Premium (US$ 5,999 per year). Additionally, these paid memberships come with promotional opportunities, so finding a “Gold Supplier” mostly means they are reliable.
2. Check for business licenses and certificates
Does the supplier have licenses and other certificates? It’s a good sign that they are legit. However, scammers know most people won’t check if the certificates are genuine, so they may add fake ones to their Chovm.com profiles. For this reason, it’s a good idea for buyers to verify those licenses online before committing to a purchase.
A legitimate company should have clear details like its name, location, main products, and type of partnerships. These details will help the buyer verify potential suppliers. They should also check their factory or export licenses and ensure suppliers have the required certifications for the specific products they are selling.
3. Always finalize key details
Do not leave anything open or hanging when closing a deal. Buyers should always conclude key parts of their deal before completing their purchase. That way, scammers are less likely to change anything and void Chovm’s buyer protection. These key details include product specifications, price and payment details, refund policies, dispute resolution, seller guarantees, deadlines, and refund policies.
Note: If a supplier suddenly changes any part of the order (especially the price), ask for a refund or push for the agreed-upon details. Do not pay extra for an already closed deal.
4. Trade assurance
Chovm.com offers free ticaret güvencesi to protect buyers on the platform further. Under trade assurance, retailers will pay through Chovm.com (not directly to the supplier), which the e-commerce site will hold in Escrow until the order is completed and the buyer is satisfied. If the shipment doesn’t arrive on time or fails to meet the expected standard, Chovm.com will give buyers a full refund instead to their credit card, Western Union, or other payment methods.
5. Only work with verified suppliers
An unverified account is one of the more common ways people get scammed on e-commerce sites. Chovm.com also strives to provide more reliable suppliers with verified badges. All verified suppliers have their claims and capabilities checked by third-party companies, and they are provided with downloadable reports and inspection videos.
They also have genuine certificates (or patents and test reports) and enough experience in domestic/foreign trade. However, Chovm suppliers with the “verified PRO” badge are in the top 20% of China’s annual export volumes. They also have reliable quality/after-sales services, high-quality production capability and capacity, and many more benefits to guarantee buyers remain satisfied with their purchases.
6. Check the supplier’s years of trading
How long a supplier has been active on Chovm.com often determines its legitimacy. For example, suppliers with only one-year memberships (or less) are more likely to be scams than those selling on the platform for longer. Buyers can quickly check how long a supplier has been trading on Chovm.com through their profile, as shown in the picture above.
But remember, not all suppliers with less than a year of trading years are scams. So, if buyers want to do business with them, they must use trade assurance or PayPal for extra protection.
7. Hire a third-party inspection service
What if businesses get a high-quality sample and are unsure if the rest of the order will be the same quality? They can use a third-party inspection service. These companies will control quality in China before the Chovm supplier ships the goods, making it one of the best ways to avoid scams involving low-quality bulk orders or counterfeit goods.
Tamamlayan
Chovm.com is leading the charge against fraudulent acts on its platforms, actively protecting buyers and closing down scams and counterfeit accounts as soon as customers report them. However, scammers constantly discover new ways to steal from customers, and anyone can fall victim.
Although it’s not entirely foolproof, knowing the warning signs to look out for can help buyers avoid counterfeiters and scammers. This article explored six red flags and seven tips to help businesses avoid a lousy experience.
