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How to check if a supplier is genuine

A convincing website and cheap price mean nothing if the supplier is not real. A few checks before you pay protect your money. Here is how to run them.

Verify the GSTIN and name

Confirm the GST number is valid and active, and that the registered legal name matches who you are dealing with. A cancelled, fake or mismatched GSTIN is an immediate reason to stop.

Confirm a real address and phone

Ask for the full business address and a landline or verified number. Search the address and business name online. A supplier who will only share a mobile number and no fixed address is a risk on a large order.

Ask for references and a sample

Request two or three current buyers and actually call them, then order a paid sample. Real suppliers can show existing customers and will ship a sample. Both are hard for a fake to fake.

Never pay full advance to a stranger

Use part-advance with the balance on dispatch, or an escrow-style arrangement, until the supplier has proven reliable. Pressure to pay everything upfront to a brand new supplier is the most common sign of a scam.

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