Short answer: before paying a new wholesale supplier, check that their business name, address and phone number match everywhere they appear. Then get a live video call showing the actual stock, order samples, keep your first order small and pay in a traceable way. Ask for dispatch proof such as a transport receipt (bilty) or courier tracking. Each step removes a different risk, and none of them costs much.
The 9-point checklist
| # | Check | What it protects you from |
| 1 | Name, address and phone match across the listing, WhatsApp and Google Maps | Fake or borrowed identities |
| 2 | The shop, office or unit appears on the map at the address given | Sellers with no real premises |
| 3 | A live video call showing the stock you are buying | Copied catalogue photos and non-existent stock |
| 4 | Product photos aren't copied from elsewhere (reverse image search) | Bait listings |
| 5 | Samples ordered and checked | Quality, size and colour surprises |
| 6 | Terms written down: price, MOQ, dispatch time, returns | "That's not what we agreed" disputes |
| 7 | A small first order | Losing a large amount on an untested supplier |
| 8 | A traceable payment to an account that matches the business or owner | Payments you can't trace or dispute |
| 9 | Dispatch proof: a bilty (lorry receipt) or courier tracking | "Already sent" excuses |
1. Make sure the details match everywhere
Write down the business name, owner or contact name, full address and phone number from the listing. Then check:
- The WhatsApp number and its business profile show the same business name.
- The address is a real place on Google Maps, and the building or market exists. Street View or photos help.
- Any website, Instagram page or other listing uses the same name and number.
Small differences, like a trading name versus an owner's name, are normal. A completely different name on the payment account than on the listing is not.
2. Get a live video call showing the stock
Ask for a short video call, not pre-recorded videos. Ask them to show the exact designs you plan to buy, the fabric up close and, for larger orders, the shelves or the production area. A genuine supplier with real stock can do this in a few minutes. Repeated excuses are a warning sign.
3. Check whether the photos are original
Run a reverse image search (Google Lens) on two or three product photos. Catalogue photos shared by many resellers are normal in clothing. But if the "manufacturer's" photos turn out to belong to a well-known brand or a different country's store, ask why.
4. Order samples first
Pay for one or two samples before a bulk order. Check:
- Fabric feel, weight and finish against the description
- Stitching, prints, and whether the colour runs after one wash
- Actual measurements against the size chart
- Packing quality and dispatch speed: the sample order shows you how bulk orders will be handled
5. Put the terms in writing
A WhatsApp message is enough. Confirm the price per piece, minimum order quantity (MOQ), set size, total amount, dispatch date, who pays shipping and what happens if pieces are damaged or wrong. Ask the supplier to reply "confirmed".
6. Keep the first order small
Even after good samples, keep your first real order to an amount you can afford to lose. Increase order sizes as the supplier delivers on time and as promised.
7. Pay safely
Many wholesalers ask for advance payment, especially from new buyers. That is normal. What matters is how much you risk and how you pay:
- Pay by bank transfer or UPI to an account whose name matches the business or the owner you spoke to.
- On a first order, ask whether part-payment is possible: some now, the balance on dispatch proof.
- Keep screenshots of the payment and of the agreed terms.
- Be wary of last-minute requests to pay a different account, a relative's account or "the agent's" account.
8. Ask for dispatch proof
For transport shipments, ask for a photo of the bilty, also called a lorry receipt (LR). The transporter issues it when it takes the goods, and it shows the sender, receiver, origin, destination and number of packages. For courier shipments, ask for the tracking number and check it on the courier's own website.
Red flags: when to walk away
- The price is far below everyone else's for the same product and fabric.
- Pressure to pay now: "only today", "last stock", "price goes up tomorrow".
- Refusing any video call or any samples.
- The payment account name doesn't match the business or the person you dealt with.
- Full payment demanded upfront for a large first order, with no samples.
- The number changes or the seller moves you to a new number partway through the deal.
- No fixed address, or an address that turns out to be a residence when they claim to have a factory.
Checking a seller on Reseller Bazzar
On a Reseller Bazzar business page you can see the seller's city and address, the categories they deal in and every product they have listed. Use these as a starting point for the checks above, not as a replacement for them.
Know what the badges mean:
- Verified Account means the seller confirmed their mobile number with an OTP.
- Premium Seller means the seller is on a paid plan.
Neither badge is an inspection of the seller's premises, stock or quality. Always do your own checks before paying. Reseller Bazzar does not handle payments between buyers and sellers, so agree payment terms directly with the seller.
See also our security and scam alert page and the guide to avoiding payment scams in B2B trade.
If something goes wrong
- Stop further payments and keep every chat, screenshot and receipt.
- For online fraud, report it at cybercrime.gov.in or call the national cyber crime helpline 1930 as quickly as possible.
- If the seller is listed on Reseller Bazzar, report the listing to us so we can review it.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find a reliable manufacturer or wholesaler in India?
Shortlist three or four suppliers in your category, check their details and premises, get a video call, order samples and start with a small order. Keep working with the ones who deliver what they promised, on time.
Is it safe to pay a wholesaler in advance?
Advance payment is common in wholesale. Limit the risk: keep first orders small, pay a traceable account in the business's or owner's name, ask about part-payment, and get dispatch proof before paying any balance.
What is a bilty?
A bilty, or lorry receipt (LR), is the document a transport company issues when it accepts goods for delivery by road. It is your proof that the goods were handed over for dispatch.
Does a "Premium Seller" badge mean the seller has been checked?
No. It means the seller is on a paid Reseller Bazzar plan. Do your own checks before paying any seller.
Find suppliers to shortlist
Browse suppliers by city and category, for example fashion in Surat, or post your requirement so matching suppliers can contact you. If you are new to wholesale buying, start with manufacturer vs wholesaler: what's the difference.
