Last updated: September 30, 2026
These terms apply when you use gettruesource.com or ask me to check prices, buy, check or pack goods for you. By sending me an order, you agree to them. Sections 6, 7, 9 and 11 limit my responsibility in some situations — please read them before you order. If anything here is unclear, email me at [email protected].
1. Who I Am
TrueSource is run by me, Felix Zhang, an individual based in Yantai, China. When these terms say “I” or “me,” they mean me. “You” means the person or business asking for my services.
2. What I Do
I compare prices on Chinese platforms such as 1688, Taobao and Pinduoduo, buy products on your behalf, check them by hand, consolidate them, and hand them to your freight forwarder in China. I also offer sample comparison reports and freight forwarder introductions.
I don’t manufacture products, audit factories, ship internationally, or handle customs clearance in your country.
3. Price Checks
Price checks are free and for your information only. Prices and stock on Chinese platforms change often, so a price check is not a binding offer. The price you pay is the price on your invoice.
4. Orders, Prices and Payment
- Before I buy anything, I send you an itemized invoice listing each product with its link, unit price and quantity; China domestic shipping; and my service fee as a separate line.
- Step 1: you pay for the goods and domestic shipping before I place any orders. I don’t buy on credit.
- Within 48 hours of receiving your payment, I send you every order screenshot. If I don’t, you can ask for a full refund of that payment.
- I also send you the tracking number of each seller’s delivery as soon as it’s available.
- Step 2: my service fee is due after I’ve shown you your checked goods — in photos, on video or on a live video call — and before I hand them to your forwarder.
- Goods and domestic shipping are charged at exactly what I pay. I convert Chinese yuan to US dollars at the USD/CNY central parity rate published by the China Foreign Exchange Trade System (CFETS) for the People’s Bank of China on the invoice date (or the most recent rate, if none is published that day), and I show the rate on your invoice.
- If a seller changes a price or runs out of stock before I buy, I’ll ask you before making any change. Any difference is refunded or invoiced separately, as we agree.
- Payment fees, such as PayPal fees, are added at cost.
5. Service Fees
My service fees are listed on the Pricing page and apply as they stand on the date of your invoice. The minimum service fee is per order. Sample report and off-platform sourcing fees are credited against your service fee if you place the related order within the stated time.
6. Cancellations and Refunds
- Before I place the orders: you can cancel for a full refund, minus any payment fees already charged.
- After I place the orders: I’ll try to cancel or return the items with the sellers, subject to their policies. You’ll get back whatever the sellers refund, minus any return shipping and payment fees, and you won’t be charged a service fee on the items that are cancelled.
- Once goods are handed to your forwarder, they can no longer be returned to sellers through me.
7. Checks and Quality
- I check goods by hand: quantity, appearance, measurements, and function where it can be tested by hand. I send you photos, and video on request.
- These checks reduce risk, but they’re not a lab test. I can’t detect every hidden defect, and I can’t confirm that products meet the safety, labeling or legal requirements of your country.
- If you need lab testing or a formal inspection, I can arrange a third-party inspection company at your cost.
- If an item arrives wrong or defective from the seller, I’ll sort it out with the seller within the platform’s return window. Domestic return shipping is charged at cost.
8. Storage
I store your goods free for up to 30 days after I tell you they’re ready. After that, any storage fee will be agreed with you in advance. If goods are left unclaimed for 90 days after I’ve notified you, I may dispose of them, or ship them to you at your cost.
9. Shipping, Duties and Your Forwarder
International shipping is arranged between you and your freight forwarder, even if I introduced them. I’m not responsible for loss, damage or delays after goods are handed to your forwarder, or for customs clearance, import duties, taxes or tariffs in your country.
10. Your Responsibilities
- You’re responsible for making sure the products you order can legally be imported and sold in your country, and meet its safety, labeling and other requirements.
- For custom printing, you confirm that you own, or have the right to use, the logos and designs you send me.
- I don’t handle counterfeits or brand replicas, products with batteries, products for children under 3, food or food-contact items, or cosmetics. I may decline any order at my discretion.
11. What I’m Responsible For
- My mistakes. If I buy the wrong item, color, size or quantity compared with the invoice you approved, or miss a defect that the checks in section 7 should clearly have caught, I’ll fix it at my cost by returning or reordering, or refund the cost of the affected goods, their domestic shipping and the service fee on them.
- Goods in my care. If goods are lost or damaged between arriving at my address and being handed to your forwarder, I’ll refund the cost of the affected goods, their domestic shipping and the service fee on them.
- Outside my control. I’m not liable for hidden defects that hand checks can’t reveal, for whether products meet the requirements of your country, for sellers’ failures beyond what I can recover from them through the platform, or for anything that happens after goods are handed to your forwarder. I’ll still help you claim from the seller where I can.
- Limit. My total liability for any order is limited to the total amount you paid me for that order: goods, domestic shipping and service fee. I’m not liable for indirect losses, such as lost profits or lost sales.
- Nothing in these terms limits my liability for intentional misconduct or gross negligence, or any other liability that can’t be limited by law.
12. Changes to These Terms
I may update these terms from time to time. The version in effect on the date of your invoice applies to that order.
13. Governing Law
These terms are governed by the laws of the People’s Republic of China. If we disagree about something, let’s first try to sort it out directly and in good faith.
14. Contact
Felix Zhang, TrueSource
Yantai, Shandong, China