I have been doing business with DHgate for about a year now. I ordered handbags from them. I researched a lot of designer handbags before ordering thru them.
1. When ordering designer name brand items.... know that most Designers do not release the sale of their products this way. For example if you buy a Coach handbag from them, know that Coach does not release the sell of their items thru ANY CHINA TRADING COMPANY!! If you didn't purchase it from Coach, Macys.... Its NOT AUTHENTIC!!! If you buy them "NEW" on Ebay, without a box, no gift receipt.... They're probably replicas!!!
2. Always check the seller's TRUST SCORE. It tells a lot!!
3. Pay thru Paypal!! I don't even just use my credit card , PayPal only.
4. I agree that you must take the chance and purchase a sample first.
Always know your product. Examine it, use it, test it out....
5. These items go thru customs!! I've had packages sit in customs for dayssssssssss!! So I would never purchase electronics from China, unless it was coming FedEx!! Still run the chances of broken and damaged items.
I've been blessed to have had nothing but good luck from DHgate. I will be much more cautious of this site in the future because of all the people who HAVE been SCAMMED thru DHgate