A lot of companies pop up on a Google search these days offering cheap kites via the China-based www.alibaba.com website.
In the event that you are tempted to be seduced by their legitimate-looking ads and hard to believe low prices, be aware: THEY ARE ALL SCAMMERS.
Remember, the original story was called "Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves"
resources.alibaba.com/topic/346327/Supplier_for_name_brand_kite_board_kites.htm
There are a stack of them that pop up, mostly from Indonesia. Do not send them money. I can't believe the number of people who admit to sending T/T or Western Union transfers to an unknown contact in another country and are surprised that they never receive anything in return and never see their money again.
I've been trying to find some industrial equipment for a project I'm working on (non-kitesurfing related) and at least 95% of the communications I get from anyone on this site are a total waste of time. Don't do any sort of business with anyone on this site unless it's via an escrow arrangement.
Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Hello friends,
please see also my posting about this in Kiteforum from 19 of February..
kiteforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2352664&start=0&hilit=indonesia
This is my first posting and there are many interesting reply to it including from the Alibaba guys!!!
I have been fighting this but to no avail...
I get 20 fake companies remove from there and the next day another 30 pop up!!
The same is happening for windsurfing equipment etc.
Airush/Starboard are taking legal action with Alibaba..
Just be careful.
Bye Jankie
Hello friends,
I recently replied to a post asking about kites available in Indonesia that can be found on Alibaba....
Today I received this e-mail from a guy in Canada:
Hello,
Have you ever heard of a company called CV. Puncak Surfing in Denpasar?
I ordered some kites from them and think they ran off with my money.
Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Thank-you for a reply.
Canada
This is a total scam!!!
We receive a request to investigate from few Kitesurfing brand and try to contact these guys!
They actually do not exist as a company, they do not answer to the phone number listed and we could not find the address they claiming.
PLEASE NOTE THAT.....
Kitesurfing equipment is not manufactured in Indonesia.....
So there is no reason to be able to find equipment here at less then half the price then anywhere in the world...
There are few legitimate guys trading kitesurfing equipment in Bali and Indonesia:
www.balikitesurf.com - Bernard - Importer for F-One
www.bali-kitesurfing.org - Kite & Surf Bali the Pro Shop - Jankie - Importer for Ozone, Airush, Jimmy Lewis, Peter Lynn and Underground.
www.blueoasisbeachclub.com - Blue Oasis in Sanur - Mario - a school and also sell equipment.
www.Kiteboardingbali.com - they import Best Kites
(now there is one more that sell Takoon, www.balikitecenter.com )
Bye Jankie
Hello again,
I would like to remember that this is still going on and actually it spreaded also to windsurfing..
See this request of help:
> Subject: Indonesian Distributor
>> I placed an order for a Pocket Rocket from a Starboard distributor in >> Indonesia.
>> I have not had confirmation that the wire transfer (sent 09-04-2009) was
>> received and that the item has shipped.
>> The company is PT INDO SURFING, contact Tukul Tarigan.
>> Can you help?
I was able to get some companies delisted from Alibaba but as fast as I report them as fats as more pop up... Theyusing a loophole in the Alibaba system. The listing is totally free and with no background search or even a requirement of a prove...
See reply from Alibaba:
Dear Giancarlo Avancini,
Thanks for your email.
Please note that free members do not undergo an Authentication and Verification check. We cannot guarantee they are legally registered companies. So, unfortunately, currently I am unable to verify that these companies have engaged in fraudulent activities on Alibaba.com. Therefore, I can't disable their account now.
However, if you obtain any evidences that these companies are involved in any fraudulent activities and they are illegal, please provide to me so that we can act accordingly.
If you have any further questions, please visit our Help Center at: www.alibaba.com/trade/help/helpcenter for quick solutions or you can contact me freely.
Regards,
Elisa
Int'l Service Team
Please be careful where you buy and send your money.
Bye Jankie
