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What a $129 verification actually catches

Real scenarios from our Zhuhai-based analysts. Names and product categories are anonymized, but the red flags, savings, and outcomes are exactly what we reported.

Deal stopped

The “factory” that only existed on Alibaba

A UK importer was about to send a $14,000 deposit for custom packaging. The supplier had a polished Alibaba store, a company name, and a WeChat contact. Our verification found the registered address was a residential apartment and the business licence had been revoked six months earlier.

Deposit at risk
$14,000
Report cost
$129
Outcome
Order cancelled
  • Business licence marked as “revoked” in GSXT
  • Registered address was a 90 m² apartment, not a factory
  • No export licence on file; could not legally ship goods
  • Client sourced a verified alternative through our guided-factory tour
Terms renegotiated

The real factory with a fake bank account

A US buyer negotiated directly with a manufacturer in Dongguan. The factory was real, but the invoice asked for payment to a personal account at a different bank. Our bank-account verification flagged a name mismatch and the buyer re-routed the wire.

Order value
$38,000
Report cost
$129
Outcome
Payment corrected
  • Factory licence, export licence, and GSXT records all valid
  • Beneficiary name on invoice did not match registered company name
  • Bank account was opened under an individual, not the company
  • Buyer paid the company account and production started on schedule
Deal confirmed

The supplier that looked risky but was solid

A Canadian brand owner found a small electronics assembler in Shenzhen with almost no online presence. The low social-proof made them nervous. We confirmed the business, visited the facility, and verified active production lines. They placed a $22,000 order with confidence.

Order value
$22,000
Report cost
$129
Outcome
Order placed
  • Valid business licence with clean court-history record
  • On-site visit confirmed active assembly lines and QC station
  • Bank account matched the registered entity exactly
  • Recommended 30/70 T/T split instead of 50/50 for first order
Dispute recovered

The $9,000 deposit that went quiet

After paying a deposit, an Australian buyer received no production updates for three weeks. We traced the company, confirmed it was still operating, and used our Zhuhai team to make direct contact. The supplier admitted cash-flow issues and agreed to a phased refund.

Deposit lost
$9,000
Recovered
$7,200
Outcome
Partial refund
  • Confirmed the supplier was still registered and contactable
  • Two pending court cases for unpaid debts from other buyers
  • Local pressure and bilingual negotiation secured a refund plan
  • Client now verifies every new supplier before wiring money

Your supplier could be the next case study

Most problems we find cost buyers 50–100× the price of a report. A $129 verification is the cheapest insurance you'll buy on a China order.

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