What is DHgate?

DHgate is a Chinese business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) cross-border e-commerce platform dedicated to facilitating suppliers to sell their manufactured products to small and medium-sized retailers. The "DH" in DHgate refers to Dunhuang (Mandarin: 敦煌), located in present-day Gansu Province, a strategic location on the ancient Silk Road connecting China with the rest of the world. The company name signifies its role as a modern online Silk Road, connecting small and medium-sized enterprises in China and overseas. It is one of China's largest B2B cross-border e-commerce platforms. Headquartered in Beijing, the company has offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, and other locations worldwide and offers versions in eight languages, including Chinese, English, Russian, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Italian, and French. As of June 30, 2020, the platform had 31 million registered buyers and 2.2 million sellers from over 220 countries and regions, offering 32 million products. The website sells a wide variety of products, including electronics, clothing, and health and beauty products. Similar to AliExpress, DHgate uses a commission model, charging sellers a percentage of each transaction as commission. However, unlike traditional wholesale websites, DHgate focuses more on processing small orders.

Is DHgate legit?

DHGate is a legitimate company that generates over nine figures in revenue annually, connecting Chinese sellers with individuals and e-commerce business owners worldwide. So why is DHGate's reputation so mixed? Some rave about it, while others complain. When we look at the negative reviews of DHGate, we find that most of them are actually directed at the sellers on DHGate, not DHGate itself. As an e-commerce platform, DHGate is merely a marketplace connecting buyers and sellers; they don't sell products themselves. Therefore, like other e-commerce platforms, the quality of products sold by different sellers on the platform varies. Some customers can find great deals, while others may encounter problems such as delayed delivery, counterfeit goods, or unresponsive sellers. This largely depends on the seller you buy from. If you are worried about being scammed when choosing a supplier, please contact ChinaDivision. They have a vast pool of high-quality sourcing resources, bringing together millions of products from Chinese manufacturers.

Is DHgate safe?

Payment Security

Just like shopping on eBay or Amazon, DHgate accepts all major credit cards. When you shop on DHgate, the amount you pay is not sent directly to the seller. The platform's mechanism stipulates that transactions are conducted through the website, not directly between the buyer and seller, adding an extra layer of security for buyers. Furthermore, your payment card information will never be disclosed to any seller; therefore, DHgate is generally effective in preventing financial fraud.

DHgate promises a refund if the product does not match the website description or fails to arrive. DHgate will only release payment to the seller after you (the customer) confirm that the purchased product is correct. DHgate Managed Services, as a third party, is responsible for collecting and holding payments until product delivery. Therefore, if you have not yet received your order, you can file a claim within the DHgate Buyer's Protection period and are entitled to a full refund. Please do not confirm receipt before mediation is completed; after confirmation, DHgate's intervention in the buyer-seller coordination process will be significantly reduced. If your order is not delivered on time or does not match the description, please contact the seller. DHgate's return and refund policy provides instructions on how to file a dispute if the seller is unable to resolve the issue for you. If you are not satisfied with the seller's offer, you can use DHgate's mediation service. DHgate will represent you in arbitration based on the evidence provided by you and the seller. Please remember, do not transfer money directly to the seller during mediation; any transfers must be made through the DHgate platform.

Privacy and Security

DHgate collects your purchase information during your visit, such as name, payment method, address, phone number, etc.; service account information, such as email address and password; and cookies and other computer information. Cookies are used to identify you when you visit this website so that we can improve and customize your online shopping experience. Of course, you can choose to browse the DHgate website without cookies, but without these identifiers, you will not be able to complete purchases or use certain functions of this website. To provide a better user experience, DHgate collects this private information as necessary. However, users need not worry about privacy breaches, as DHgate emphasizes that it will never sell or rent users' personal information to any third party under any circumstances. To ensure users feel completely safe while using DHgate, they use a technology called Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), which encrypts (or encodes) sensitive information before it is sent over the internet.

Tips for shopping at DHgate

• View seller profiles and ratings

A seller's profile reflects their credibility. Before buying, carefully review the seller's operating history on DHgate. Look for sellers with above-average on-time shipping and response rates and over 100 transactions. Reputable sellers are generally more trustworthy. Look for seller badges, such as "Top Seller," which indicate excellent performance. Highly rated sellers are generally more reliable. Look for sellers with ratings above 95%.

• Read product reviews

Product reviews provide insights into product quality and other buyers' shopping experiences. Be sure to read these reviews carefully before purchasing. However, be wary of the authenticity of reviews. If the tone is mechanical and the content and product images are similar, these reviews are likely fake and unreliable.

• Please insist on using DHgate's payment methods

To protect your financial information, always use DHgate's secure payment methods, such as PayPal or credit cards. These methods provide protection for buyers and offer a refund option in case of problems. Avoid using direct bank transfers or any payment methods outside the platform.

• Avoid transactions outside the platform

Firstly, some sellers may offer discounts for payments made outside of DHgate, enticing buyers to leave DHgate to make payments. Please be extremely cautious, as payments made outside the platform are not protected by DHgate's buyer protection policy and are highly vulnerable to scams. Secondly, if a dispute arises between the buyer and seller, and the seller offers you a return and refund outside of DHgate, do not believe them. To ensure your rights are protected in case of disputes or problems, always conduct transactions within the DHgate system.

• Requesting Samples

If you plan to place a large order, it's wise to order samples first. This allows you to verify the product quality and the seller's service before deciding to buy in bulk.

• Do not confirm receipt prematurely

Do not confirm receipt until you receive your order and confirm that the product matches the description. This ensures that DHgate can intervene promptly to assist in resolving any potential issues. Once the receipt is confirmed, DHgate will have limited ability to process your feedback.

FAQ

1. Why are things on DHgate so cheap?

DHgate is able to offer low-priced products because it connects buyers and manufacturers directly, often sourcing in bulk from China, eliminating intermediaries, and reducing costs. By partnering with local Chinese agents who combine purchasing and logistics services, you can acquire high-quality products at lower prices, increasing your profit margins.

Reference:

1. DHgate

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DHgate.com

2. Security & Privacy

https://seller.dhgate.com/html/helpfile_en/b-help-3.htm

3. What Is DHGate, and Should You Use It?

https://www.wired.com/story/what-is-dhgate-and-should-you-use-it/