I had 20 - 55 degree dovetail cutters made up through Alibaba. It was ok. There were a couple of problems involving payment. I had to wire the money Western Union. Ok thats not sot bad, but I asked who to send it to since the contact name on all the emails was an English womans name and I was pretty sure that it was just made up for the benefit of Americans. Send it to the person on the email they said so I did.
What? thats not your real name? go figure.
So now I tell them that according to Western Union, I have to cancel the payment and there can be a 30 day wait for the money to clear, a 15 % charge back by Western Union and then I can re wire them the money.
They agree to that and just resend the money minus the 15% when it is released.
10 days later the dovetail cutters show up.
Meanwhile I find out since no one picked up the money I can just change the person who can pick it up, no extra charge. So I change the name to Mr. Lee. and send them a notice that they can pickup their money. Only they cant claim it on line. Mr Lee, a very very popular name in China evidently is flagged so they cant just whisk it into their bank. He (who ever Mr Lee is) had to go to the nearest Western Union and pick it up in person. I guess it was a long way away for them.
Any way. I got what I ordered and they eventually got paid. I actually had the pieces in hand before they got the money. Would I do it again Yes. Do I balance out how much risk Im taking and could be out my money, Yes.
Hope this helps.