Is it safe to order branded smart phones and computers from China?

Global SourcesUpdated on 2024/05/21

Hot Topics

Global Sources has outdoor sports trade shows like no other for buyers, sourcing managers, and exhibitors. With over 55 years in the industry, and more, registering for our upcoming events will significantly benefit your company.
Outdoor Sports Trade Shows Like No Other With Global Sources
Global Sources has outdoor sports trade shows like no other for buyers, sourcing managers, and exhibitors. With over 55 years in the industry, and more, registering for our upcoming events will significantly benefit your company.
2026/04/26
Learn what procurement sourcing is, the step-by-step sourcing process, and how to build a winning procurement sourcing strategy. Discover how face-to-face supplier discovery at Global Sources Hong Kong Shows helps you find reliable suppliers and reduce risk.
What Is Procurement Sourcing? Process, Strategy, and Smarter Supplier Discovery
Learn what procurement sourcing is, the step-by-step sourcing process, and how to build a winning procurement sourcing strategy. Discover how face-to-face supplier discovery at Global Sources Hong Kong Shows helps you find reliable suppliers and reduce risk.
2026/03/31
What is electronic procurement? Learn the electronic procurement definition, explore electronic procurement solutions, and understand the advantages of electronic procurement for global buyers. Discover how Global Sources Hong Kong Shows support smarter sourcing through verified suppliers, product inspection, and trend discovery.
What Is Electronic Procurement? Definition, Solutions, and Advantages for Global Buyers
What is electronic procurement? Learn the electronic procurement definition, explore electronic procurement solutions, and understand the advantages of electronic procurement for global buyers. Discover how Global Sources Hong Kong Shows support smarter sourcing through verified suppliers, product inspection, and trend discovery.
2026/03/31
While global container supply chains face limited direct hits, diesel price volatility could raise freight costs and inflate downstream consumer goods like food and retail staples.
Venezuela: Experts React on Sourcing, Logistics and Consumer Price Risks
While global container supply chains face limited direct hits, diesel price volatility could raise freight costs and inflate downstream consumer goods like food and retail staples.
2026/01/15

Global Sources Exhibitions

Full Question

I would like to place an order to buy computers and smart phones from Chinese suppliers. Many of them have sent me their price list but not a single one is willing to use an Escrow company - all of them require a payment in advance and I'm concerned. Do you know why they are not willing to use an escrow company? The prices of their new branded products look very good but they refuse to use a third party, and I'm concerned that they may not deliver the purchased products. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thank you

Answer

The situation you describe above doesn’t sound very safe. To be fair, escrow isn’t very popular among sellers in China, especially when it comes to small orders. But if you really want to protect yourself, you should be doing due diligence on the vendors (for example, are they verified suppliers on a reputable directory like www.GlobalSources.com?) and insisting on 3rd party inspection. Be sure to link performance to payment. Meaning that you don’t make the final payment until goods are confirmed to be what you ordered.

If you are looking for famous brand name computers and smart phones, you are most likely wasting your time and falling into a trap. Here is a link that explains the details: Genuine products from China?

Here are some more resources for general reference.

Video 1: Finding Suppliers Video 2: Evaluating Suppliers Video 3: Negotiations Video 4: Project Management and Quality Control Video 6: Leveraging Global Sources Video 8: Avoiding Scams

Small Buyers’ Strategies: Video Tutorials

Source the latest products from verified suppliers on our global sourcing platform, or install our app. Subscribe to our magazines for more in-depth insights and product discovery.

More Sourcing News

Source high-demand products across key growth categories from Global Sources verified suppliers. Discover scalable solutions for smart living, travel, tech, and more.
Source Smarter: High-Demand Products Across Key Growth Categories
Source high-demand products across key growth categories from Global Sources verified suppliers. Discover scalable solutions for smart living, travel, tech, and more.
2026/04/28
Join Fred Young, Founder of Ocean Stone, as he shares insights on the global expansion of Chinese brands. Discover key distinctions in product versus brand globalization, challenges faced overseas, and strategies for successful localization. Explore how Chinese companies can build trust with distributors and thrive in international markets through innovative branding and tailored approaches.
Sourcing Elite Board | Going Global: The Edge, Pitfalls, and Pathways for Chinese Brands
Join Fred Young, Founder of Ocean Stone, as he shares insights on the global expansion of Chinese brands. Discover key distinctions in product versus brand globalization, challenges faced overseas, and strategies for successful localization. Explore how Chinese companies can build trust with distributors and thrive in international markets through innovative branding and tailored approaches.
2026/02/25
In this recent forum in Shanghai, the Sourcing Elite Board (SEB) explored new trends and trade opportunities in the Southeast Asian market. Guest speaker Chris Dier of Xenica Limited shared insights on the region's booming economy, demographic advantages, and significant growth in trade and manufacturing. While challenges like regulatory fragmentation and sustainability pressures exist, Southeast Asia's strategic importance in global trade is set to rise, with projections indicating it may soon surpass Japan as the world's fourth-largest economy.
Sourcing Elite Board | Southeast Asia: The Emerging Trade Powerhouse
In this recent forum in Shanghai, the Sourcing Elite Board (SEB) explored new trends and trade opportunities in the Southeast Asian market. Guest speaker Chris Dier of Xenica Limited shared insights on the region's booming economy, demographic advantages, and significant growth in trade and manufacturing. While challenges like regulatory fragmentation and sustainability pressures exist, Southeast Asia's strategic importance in global trade is set to rise, with projections indicating it may soon surpass Japan as the world's fourth-largest economy.
2026/02/09
Explore key insights on high-demand product categories in Indonesia's thriving e-commerce market, driven by platforms such as Tokopedia, Shopee, Lazada and Blibli. Learn about emerging trends, supply chain optimization, and the importance of innovative product introductions to seize new buyer opportunities at the upcoming Global Sources Indonesia show.
Unlocking Indonesia's E-commerce Frontier: Your Guide to a Billion-Dollar Market
Explore key insights on high-demand product categories in Indonesia's thriving e-commerce market, driven by platforms such as Tokopedia, Shopee, Lazada and Blibli. Learn about emerging trends, supply chain optimization, and the importance of innovative product introductions to seize new buyer opportunities at the upcoming Global Sources Indonesia show.
2026/01/22

Full Question I want to order some items from China with my team logo on it. Is that illegal? Thank you Answer I assume you are referring to the logo of a profe...
I want to order some items from China with my team logo on it.Is that illegal?
Full Question I want to order some items from China with my team logo on it. Is that illegal? Thank you Answer I assume you are referring to the logo of a profe...

Bluetooth speaker pairs simultaneously with multiple devices
Bluetooth speaker pairs simultaneously with multiple devices
Bluetooth speaker pairs simultaneously with multiple devices

Is it safe to order branded smart phones and computers from China?

Free Alerts on newly added products!