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I Got Scammed by a Stuffed Animal Company: A Survival Guide to Smarter Sourcing, Safer Importing, Working with Suppliers and Factories, Avoiding Costl
Paperback
Publisher: Independently Published
Published: Aug 28 2025
Pages: 156
Weight: 0.48
Height: 0.33 Width: 6.00 Depth: 9.00
Language: English
Author Gregory Lilien has been through it all-importing fertilizers, apparel, medical products, consumer goods, and yes, even plush strawberries. Along the way, he's experienced firsthand the scams, shortcuts, and supplier surprises that can derail businesses. From stuffed toys arriving smaller than the approved sample to million-dollar lawsuits over shrinking bamboo scrubs, Lilien turns his scars into lessons so you don't have to learn the hard way.
Inside, you'll discover:
- The most common sourcing pitfalls - why assumptions, overconfidence, and too good to be true prices set you up for failure.
- How to create bulletproof tech packs that eliminate wiggle room and keep factories accountable.
- The Golden Rule of Payments and why wiring money blindly is the fastest way to lose thousands.
- How inspections, audits, and lab tests save you from invisible risks like fake certifications, mislabeled materials, or hidden substitutions.
- True business scandals - from the Egyptian cotton debacle to counterfeit N95 masks, horsemeat in beef lasagna, olive oil fraud, hoverboard fires, and more - and what they teach us about protecting our supply chains.
- The psychology of scams - why smart people get duped, and how to rewire your thinking to avoid becoming an easy target.
- Building your Scam Shield - a framework of people, processes, and paperwork that safeguards your money, your reputation, and your sanity.
Whether you're a new entrepreneur placing your first order, a seasoned business owner managing global supply chains, or just a curious reader who loves outrageous business war stories, this book delivers laughs, lessons, and lasting tools for sourcing smarter and importing safer.
You'll come away with a sharper eye, stronger contracts, and the confidence to work with factories and suppliers-whether local or overseas-without losing sleep (or your shirt).
Funny, practical, and painfully honest, I Got Scammed by a Stuffed Animal Company is the book every buyer, importer, or business owner needs on their desk before they send their next purchase order.
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