DHgate is a popular e-commerce platform that links china-based sellers to buyers overseas. The platform was launched in 2004.
There are millions of registered buyers and sellers on DHgate, which shows the massive improvement the platform has had since inception.
But the big question is, can one count on DHgate? Is the platform safe to buy items online? If you’re here to find answers to these questions, you have made the right choice.
Now, back to the question;
Is DHgate legit?
Yes. DHgate is a legit e-commerce platform. It offers oversea buyers a chance to buy China-based products without leaving their respective countries.
Orders are shipped from China to buyers’ locations. DHgate allows every individual seller to handle all the shipping arrangements for products sold via the platform.
DHgate supports varied secured payment methods, such as credit card, Skrill, bank transfer, Western Union, and many others. Its sellers also ship products worldwide.
One thing is certain; DHgate will never steal your money or credit card information. The platform supports varied secured payment options to ensure credit card or account details don’t get stolen.
DHgate protects buyers by withholding buyer’s money from sellers until buyers acknowledge receipt of the product.
But some things make DHgate an awful company. One of them is the quality of most of the products on the platform.
Not all Chinese products, particularly the imitations, are worthwhile. There are a lot of fake and counterfeit products on the site
There’s more you need to know about DHgate, so keep reading!
What DHgate is
It won’t be that easy traveling in person to China from the United States of America to buy a couple of items. Transportation fee is on the high side, so you may not make enough profit.
It also takes 14 hours, 56 minutes to travel by air to China.
DHgate was established to make it easier for interested buyers to purchase items from China, hassle-free. The platform links oversea buyers to sellers in China.
So you can order items on DHgate from the comfort of your home and have them shipped from China down to your location. It’s that simple and easy.
DHgate – Why China-Based Products Attract Oversea Buyers
Not everyone has the budget for brand goods. Hence, some individuals prefer to splash the cash on Chinese products, and you can’t blame them.
Chinese manufacturers have a record for selling products at very competitive prices. Why not, they have access to cheap labor.
Chinese manufacturers bulk produce as a means to lower cost prices. And this helps them to sell cheaper.
Again, China’s copyright law is not as stringent as it is in other parts of the world. Thus, China-based manufacturers are free to imitate brand products.
These brand-producing companies spend a fortune on research and development, a factor that increases their selling prices.
But China-based manufactures don’t spend a significant amount on research and development to produce the imitations. No Chinese law penalizes them either.
Another factor that makes buying Chinese products more attractive to buyers oversea is the shipping fee. Goods shipped from China to the United States are far cheaper than the other way around.
DHgate is a B2B e-commerce platform, packed with diverse China-based sellers. You can order products sold in China from other parts of the world and receive them at your location.
An internet-enabled device, such as a mobile phone or computer, is all you need to access DHgate. You can also buy from anywhere in the world.
DHgate – Reason to buy products in bulk
DHgate is a B2B platform, focused on oversea buyers interested in purchasing China-based products in larger quantities.
Buying in large quantities is favorable to all parties involved.
Buyers buy in bulk to lower shipping costs.
If you’re buying from the United States, which is a pretty long distance, buying in bulk will be the most cost-effective option for you. With lower shipping costs, you’re likely to make more profit.
Does DHgate sell products?
There are numerous questions about DHgate that needs clarification. Otherwise, people will continue to misunderstand and misjudge the platform.
Does DHgate itself sell products? No, it doesn’t. It’s a B2B platform, linking oversea buyers to China-based sellers. DHgate even allows sellers to handle shipping themselves.
Today, DHgate has made a slight upgrade to its services. The platform now works with producers from diverse countries.
DHgate owns and controls various physical stores, called the Digital Trade Centers (DTCs). The DTCs are physical locations where retailers can inspect products before splashing the cash.
Are there scammers on DHgate? Scammers are in almost every online platform you can find. Just because you haven’t fallen victim doesn’t mean they don’t exist.
Not every seller or buyer on DHgate has good intentions. Thus, it’s essential to keep an eye out when you’re doing business on the platform. Ask questions and take out time to observe things. Don’t make hasty decisions.
A Brief History of DHgate
DHgate has a rich history and a prominent owner. Both are an indication that the platform is legit and won’t condone any shady business.
Diane Wang founded DHgate in 2004, an e-commerce platform headquartered in Beijing, China.
Wang was a former top Microsoft China executive, who has loads of experience in the digital environment. Being a former Microsoft employer with a good track record is also a big plus.
DHgate’s cross-border B2B business model is highly rewarding. In just a few decades, the platform has recorded over 1.2 million sellers, with over 30 million listed products.
DHgate is home to the best replicas in the world. You’ll find several replicas, ranging from shoes, bags, clothes, and many more.
Buying Products on DHgate – What You Need to Know
Being home to millions of sellers shows that DHgate is an e-commerce platform with great prospects. It’s China’s biggest B2B platform.
DHgate is doing everything possible to ensure the safety of buyers and sellers on the platform. It also mediates over disputes between buyers and sellers.
But as a buyer, have at the back of your mind that you’re buying from a distant store. Not only that, but you may also be offered products that are imitations.
With that said, you need to check products properly before making payments. Don’t rely on refunds because you may lose part of the payment while trying to ship items back to the seller.
Here are tips on what you should do when buying products on DHgate. These tips would help you steer clear of fraudulent sellers.
Check seller’s rating and reviews –
As a way to weed out sellers with bad intentions, DHgate made provisions for buyers to review and rate sellers.
Sellers with a higher rating are more trustworthy than those with a lower rating or poor feedback. You can’t group a 5-star, and 3-star rated seller in the same category.
Besides rating, viewing other buyer’s feedback is another easy way to investigate a seller. Choose the option “with pictures” to observe whether people are buying the said product.
You should also find out what other buyers are saying about the seller or specific products’ quality.
Estimated delivery date –
Moving products from China to a country like the USA, for example, takes weeks. Ocean freight takes 30 to 40 days.
So, if you’re in a rush, use the online chat tool to reach out to the seller and relay your concerns. You can even request rush shipping.
Find out the shipping cost –
Knowing the total shipping cost is very important when buying products from a distant country like China. You’ll be in a better position to decide if the deal is worth it or not.
Sometimes, you may learn that buying from local stores around you is much better than buying from DHgate or other related platforms.
Contact seller before ordering –
Learn whatever you need to know regarding the seller before making a purchase. You can contact the seller and ask direct questions if you wish to.
Learn about the product’s material quality, seller’s reimbursement policy, warranty, and other relevant details about the product before making any financial commitment.
If the seller is willing to communicate and give you all the details you requested, that could indicate that you’re dealing with a reputable seller. If the reverse is the case, please search for other buyers.
DHgate – How To Create Buyer’s Account
You have to sign-up before using DHgate, whether you’re a buyer or seller.
Signing up helps DHgate know more about you. It also makes it easier for DHgate’s customer service agents to mediate over disputes.
Opening a DHgate account will help you manage and track all your purchases and transactions.
So how can you sign-up? The process is quite straightforward and quick.
On the upper right side, you’ll find a “Join now icon”, click on it to move to the next page.
Next is to provide relevant details. These include your preferred login email address and password.
These are the two necessary details you need to access your account, so endeavor to write them down, so you won’t forget.
After entering your email and password, click on the “Join free” button to create your DHgate account.
Note – You can also decide to sign-up via your Facebook or Google+ account. Signing up is free.
On the other hand, DHgate will not ask for your account number during registration. You only need that during payment or when you’re seeking a refund.
Reasons to Use DHgate
DHgate is legit. The platform also has a massive amount of various items, which are sold at highly competitive prices.
You’ll get a tracking number once your item has been shipped. You can confirm if you got a fake tracking number or even track your goods on DHgate’s official website.
However, DHgate doesn’t operate the same way as Amazon. It’s a B2B website, and sellers are the ones that handle the shipping arrangements.
Another good DHgate alternative is eBay. Both platforms allow third-party sellers to handle the shipment.
Conclusion
DHgate is open to buyers worldwide. Products sold on the platform are also competitively priced. But as a buyer, you have to keep an eye out for unscrupulous sellers. If you’re observant and careful enough, you will avoid bad deals on DHgate.
Most China-based products are also imitations and are somewhat below par. Hence it’s imperative to check properly before approving any deal.
You May Like These Articles As Well:
Is Mercari Legit? Everything You Need To Know
