Deciding which business structure your newly created company should have is one of the most (if not the most) important legal decision an owner can make. The chosen business structure will dictate day-to-day operations, the amount of taxes accrued, and legal liability should anything happen. There are four different types of business structures in the United States – each structure has both positives and negatives.

Low production costs equal a higher margin – something that any business savvy company strives for. To do this they often turn to questionable suppliers or opt for inferior material. Other times they elect to buy supplies in bulk – as many suppliers offer a discount the more of the same item that is purchased all at once.  While Amazon, and E-bay are popular e-commerce destinations for bulk supplies – Alibaba, a Chinese B2B online commerce company that specializes in bulk shipments and cheap prices is becoming well known in the global community as the one-stop-shop for all B2B supplies. But with accusations of scam artists, wrong items, and delayed shipments it has left many companies wondering about the safety of Alibaba.

Whether you are the plaintiff or defendant – small claims court is both intimidating and nerve-wracking. You may feel anxious, intimidated, and helpless as you get ready to plead (or defend) your case. While each small claims case is different there are things that you can do to be better prepared for your day in court. Here is a check list of five details to pay attention to before and during your day at court.