case description:
 

i was almost robbed by one of the suppliers i contacted! i was contacting a supplier to buy ipods, and he invited me to visit his city and to meet him in person to pick up the ipods. it was a good suggestion since my city is not so far away from his city and i can drive to his factory directly to pick up the ipods. i drove to the appointed place together with my friend, but the supplier didn't show up at all. after i came back, the supplier contacted me and requested to meet him in person. he must have been a robber who hid and observed me in the appointed place secretly and wanted to rob me if i was by myself.
 

analysis of this case:
 

1. to pick up the products directly is a good way to avoid being defrauded by others.

  but if you don't make a background check against your business partner and then meet them in person, you could potentially be in danger.
 

2. always investigate the company on search engines to find some useful information. also, you can always get some help from other experienced members in our forum.
 

3. if you would like to meet your partner in person, please arrange the meeting in a public place and go there with a friend and do not carry precious belongings with you.