What is DHGate, & Should You Trust It?

Image: Shutterstock via WhoWhatWear

Founded in 2004 by Diane Wang, DHGate has become the leading B2B and business to consumer e-commerce platform in China. It is a huge online marketplace that allows businesses, factories, and individuals in China to sell their merchandise. It functions a little bit like eBay or AliExpress. 

What many consumers love about DHGate is that it offers heavily discounted products. Often, factories that produce name brand products also produce the same products without the brand name label. A lot of products offered on DHGate are a ‘knockoff’ version of brand name products. These are products made in the same factory and using the same materials as name brand goods, but sold at a discounted rate, because there is excess product, or a label is slightly different. 

That said, there are many sellers on DHGate who sell products that are actually very low quality, so it is important to be careful, pay attention to detail, and read seller reviews if looking to buy on the platform. That said, the marketplace has buyer protection and quality guarantee to protect consumers from fraudulent purchases. 

All things considered, buying from DHGate is a risky business. There is no guarantee that products you buy will be high quality, and it is on the Office of the United States Trade Representative’s list of Notorious Markets for Counterfeiting and Piracy. Because buying knockoff designer products is illegal, you should be very wary of any brand name labels you see on the site. 

I am all for finding a good deal, and I know that there is a huge excess of fashion being produced, especially in China. My message is simply this; buyer beware.