Antminer S9 buying from China, how to test and ship out to USA?

[alpinemo]

Hi everyone. My business partner is in China right now trying to get a few antminer S9's from a reseller. I have 2 questions that I'm hoping anybody can help out with:

1) The seller is refusing to let my partner test the devices before making the payment. Is there a way to make sure the device is genuine and authentic without operating it first? Can the serial number be checked somewhere online?

2) Does anybody have experience with getting the devices through customs in China?

Thanks in advance.

-MS

[FatAnt]

There's a recent Youtube vid (non-English) linked somewhere here on Bitcointalk that shows a guy in Shenzhen picking up an Antminer at a retail shop, the  seller unboxes it, powers it up and shows it mining on a pool.   It's a HUGE red flag if  the seller refuses to do that if you're standing there with cash in hand to close the deal.

If this is your first time trying to export product from China, it might be worthwhile to use a freight forwarder to make sure all the paperwork is done correctly.
see: https://www.google.ca/search?q=shenzhen+freight+forwarder

[swogerino]

I would not buy if the seller refuses to operates it and show a demonstration of the product working. In China there are a lot of clones for almost every electric/electronic product so lately they may have been producing clones of S9 too. In China there are many electronic stores who sell these devices, just check AliExpress to find a reputable seller, which has also an offline shop. It will save you not needed headaches.

[stompix]

1) The seller is refusing to let my partner test the devices before making the payment. Is there a way to make sure the device is genuine and authentic without operating it first? Can the serial number be checked somewhere online?

And what help will you get from knowing the miner is indeed a genuine S9?
If the seller is refusing to allow your friend to test is like buying a car without the owner letting you open the hood and see if there is a still a motor inside.

If I buy a used thing and the guy selling it refuses to power it up it's good bye and bye bye in seconds.
Probably you're still thinking about the deal because he offered you a very good price so you want to take the risk.

Sorry but this is another red flag!
Stay away and search for another seller!