Reliable exporters: find them and meet them

Full Question

I am looking for reliable manufacturers for hot rolled coils. I have detailed specifications, but all contacts from Alibaba claim to be manufacturers. I cannot possibly verify all of them. How do I find the real and reliable manufacturers? Since China is huge, where do I start?

Answer

You are correct to assume that many companies on Alibaba are trading companies, unless they can prove they are real factories. I have found the suppliers on are more professional. Global Sources' directory also has a better ratio of real factories vs. trading companies.

Earlier this year, Alibaba publicly acknowledged thousands of suppliers on their site had committed fraud. Check out the article I wrote: http://www.globalsources.com/NEWS/What-online-buyers-should-learn.html