Hi, I'm a newbie on this forum but have been selling for a while and I've been reading a lot of the posts here and thought I would give my views on Alibaba.com. I started using Alibaba in early 2004, I have nine suppliers and have done 18 separate imports all from companies I have located on Alibaba, and all without incident. I have imported LED products such as torches and headlamps, laser products and batteries and I have just started importing IPOD/MP3 powered speakers. The reality is that China is full of fakes from fake IPODs, to fake Rolex watches to fake Callaway golf clubs. I think anyone who buys this sort of product from a supplier in China is asking for trouble and I am sure that all of the negative views in this forum are from people buying these items.
I do not support Alibaba providing a safe haven to scammers and thieves but anyone purchasing product from China, especially sought after products like IPOD's and other electronics, needs to think really hard before they make a buying decision. I personally believe there are many more legitimate suppliers on Alibaba than there are rip off merchants, but in certain product areas, this relationship is reversed.
Glad to be part of what looks to be an excellent forum.