With the current shortage and a factory fire, two parts I need are in very short supply and I am having to go to grey market and third level distributors. I would say less than 1 in 10 on Alibaba have real parts. I've tested some from one vendor and they are ok, but they are $40,000 a reel. So it's hard to wire that much money without a lot of concern if the next parts will be good. Even if the vendor is honest, he can't tell any better that his supplier is providing real goods.
I heard back from a distributor in Hong Kong who can supply all I need of one part. They seem to be saying they will get shipments from ADI for this long lead item. But they want full payment in advance and they don't seem to be talking about an escrow service. That's around $70,000. I can't find much info on them one way or the other on the Internet.
This chip shortage is a PITA!