Safe Trading Guide
Essential guidelines for secure B2B transactions
Your Safety is Your Responsibility
Stone Buy and Sell is a directory platform that connects businesses. All transactions occur directly between buyers and sellers. We strongly encourage all users to follow these safety guidelines to protect themselves and conduct secure business transactions.
Table of Contents
1. Before You Transact - Due Diligence Checklist
Verify Business Legitimacy
- Request business registration documents and licenses
- Verify company address and contact information
- Check business references and past customer testimonials
- Search for online reviews or ratings
- Confirm business is registered in claimed country/region
- For international transactions, verify export/import licenses
Research Your Partner
- Review their Stone Buy and Sell company profile thoroughly
- Check how long they've been in business
- Look at their product catalog and past projects
- Use online business directories to cross-reference information
- Check social media presence and professional networks
- Request certificates, quality standards (ISO, etc.)
Assess Communication
- Professional and responsive communication
- Willingness to answer detailed questions
- Provides clear information about products/services
- Offers appropriate documentation and contracts
Red flags: pressure tactics, vague answers, unwillingness to verify identity
2. Safe Communication Practices
Initial Contact
- Use Stone Buy and Sell's inquiry system for initial communication
- Keep detailed records of all conversations
- Move to official company email addresses after initial contact
- Verify email domains match the company's official website
- Be cautious of personal email addresses (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.) for business
Information Sharing
- Share only necessary business information initially
- Protect sensitive financial information until trust is established
- Don't share payment card details via email or unsecured channels
- Be wary of requests for advance payments before establishing trust
Red Flags to Watch For
- 🚩 Requests for payment to personal accounts
- 🚩 Pressure to complete transactions quickly without proper documentation
- 🚩 Reluctance to use standard business contracts
- 🚩 Offers that seem too good to be true
- 🚩 Poor grammar, spelling errors, or unprofessional communication
- 🚩 Requests for payment via untraceable methods (Western Union, gift cards, cryptocurrency without escrow)
- 🚩 Inability to provide verifiable business information
3. Secure Payment Practices
Recommended Payment Methods for International Trade
- Letter of Credit (L/C) - Provides protection through banks
- Documentary Collections - Bank-mediated payment process
- Wire Transfer to verified business accounts - After thorough verification
- Trade Credit Insurance - For established business relationships
- Escrow Services - Third-party holds funds until delivery confirmed
Payment Safety Tips
- Never send full payment before receiving goods (except for established relationships)
- Use milestone-based payments for large orders
- Verify bank account details independently (not just from emails)
- Start with small test orders to build trust
- Use traceable payment methods with proper documentation
- Keep copies of all payment confirmations and invoices
Never Do This
- ✗ Send money via Western Union, MoneyGram to unknown parties
- ✗ Pay via cryptocurrency without proper escrow
- ✗ Send payment to personal accounts for business transactions
- ✗ Share credit card details via email
- ✗ Make payments based solely on email instructions (verify by phone)
4. Contract & Documentation Best Practices
Essential Contract Elements
- Clear product specifications and quality standards
- Pricing, payment terms, and currency
- Delivery schedules and logistics responsibility (Incoterms)
- Inspection procedures and acceptance criteria
- Warranty and return policies
- Dispute resolution mechanisms
- Governing law and jurisdiction
Documentation to Request/Provide
- Proforma invoice or quotation
- Sales contract or purchase order
- Product specifications and technical data
- Certificates of origin, quality certificates
- Shipping documents (Bill of Lading, packing lists)
- Insurance certificates
- Import/export licenses as required
5. Product Quality & Inspection
Before Finalizing Purchase
- Request product samples when possible
- Specify quality standards in writing (grades, tolerances, finishes)
- Include inspection rights in your contract
- Consider third-party quality inspection services
- Understand return and refund policies clearly
- Document product condition with photos/videos
For Sellers
- Provide accurate product descriptions and specifications
- Share high-quality, truthful photos
- Be transparent about material grades and quality variations
- Offer samples for significant orders
- Document packaging and shipping condition
- Honor quality commitments and specifications
6. Shipping & Logistics Safety
Understand Incoterms
Common international trade terms include:
- FOB (Free On Board) - Seller responsible until goods are loaded
- CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) - Seller pays shipping and insurance to destination port
- EXW (Ex Works) - Buyer responsible from seller's location
- DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) - Seller responsible for all costs to destination
Know who is responsible for shipping, insurance, and customs. Clarify delivery locations and timelines.
Logistics Best Practices
- Use reputable shipping companies
- Purchase cargo insurance for valuable shipments
- Track shipments and confirm delivery
- Inspect goods immediately upon arrival
- Document any damage or discrepancies with photos
Report Suspicious Activity
If you encounter suspicious behavior or believe you've been a victim of fraud, please:
- Report the user to us at [email protected]
- File a report with your local law enforcement
- Contact your bank or payment provider immediately
- Document all evidence including messages, payment records, and communications