china sourcing

If you’re new at sourcing products from abroad, you must be wondering if sourcing from china is a viable option for you. You also may be wondering if it’s worth the risks. Meanwhile, when sourcing from China is done right, the benefits far outweigh the risks. To achieve these benefits, you should institute a well-thought-out strategy to ensure you get the best quality products with minimal risks. Continue reading to unveil 7 important tips to get China sourcing right.

Hire a Professional Sourcing Agent

To transact with Chinese suppliers successfully, one has to be skilled and experienced. It might be challenging to secure a favorable agreement if you’re new to the industry. This is where a professional sourcing agent comes into play. These experts can liaise with a retailer. They most times possess a range of supplier contacts that their customers may use to avail the best deals. You can make this happen with the help of experienced sourcing agents.

Verify your Agent Credentials

As important as it is to hire the right agent for your ecommerce or dropshipping business, it’s equally important to verify their credentials. Take time to research the agent and verify their credentials and track record. Research about where they’re located, how long they’ve been in operation, and so on. This is a crucial step to successfully getting China’s sourcing right. Asking the right questions to ensure that you partner with the right agent will help you grow your business.

Be Clear About What You Want

Failing to provide detailed specifications may lead to confusion and make you end up with something different from what you ordered. To avoid this, and for your sourcing process to be successful, be clear about what you want. You must provide your agent or manufacturers with a detailed specification of the materials or items that you want, ranging from size, color, etc. If possible, send photographs.

Request Product Samples From the Factory

Requesting product samples is a simple, no-commitment option for narrowing down your list of potential suppliers. An important step when sourcing from China is asking for product samples. It helps you gauge whether or not the supplier can provide what you’re looking for. Most reputable suppliers are willing to send product samples to interested parties for a relatively small fee. Obtaining a sample lets you analyze every aspect of the product, from the parts and materials used, to product dimensions and the supplier’s attention to fine details.

Do Quality Control Checks

The safest way to get China sourcing right is to do quality control checks. Once you’ve changed, you may visit the factory personally to check the products’ quality. And if that’s not possible, hiring an independent quality inspector is also a good idea. The inspector must give an independent report on the quality of the products. What you need is just to establish a well-structured quality control plan.

Communicate In A Mutual And Understandable Manner

Keep in mind the language and cultural gap when sourcing products from China. Many of the issues between buyers and suppliers can be traced back to a lack of proper communication. It creates misunderstandings and ultimately affects their relationship. Note this down to protect yourself from expensive mistakes and delays. Convey all your business requirements in a clear and detailed way. Ensure that you don’t leave any space for the vendor to make any assumptions. Also, encourage them to ask you questions and clear whatever doubts they have.

Be Reasonable About Pricing

Affordability is one major charm of sourcing from China. Indeed, low rates that you can get in China can’t be found domestically. However, remember that you’ll get what you pay for. When it comes to the cheapest goods, it is best to avoid them. Manufacturers may cut corners to give you cheap products. The quality of such products may be far from desirable. If you want your business to grow and the number of loyal customers to increase, you have to deliver high-quality products. You must partner only with those suppliers that provide competitive products without compromising on quality. Yes, they may cost extra cash, but it’s worth it.

Conclusion

Advantageous as sourcing from China may be, it requires a great deal of care. If done wrong, it can prove very costly for your business. But, if done right, it’ll do wonders for your business. Luckily for you to have read it down here. 7 important tips to get China sourcing right has been discussed above. Utilizing these tips will increase the cost-effectiveness of your business by a great deal.

Contact us today at Fulfillman to know more about our services. We provide a wide range of services including Global Fulfillment, China Sourcing, Drop Shipping, Third Party Logistics, and lots more. Our trusted experts will be happy to speak with you and provide suitable answers to your questions and concerns. A fantastic experience awaits you.

China-Sourcing-Agent-Fees-How-Much-Does-It-Cost.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1

As a dropshipper or e-commerce business owner, if you’re thinking of hiring a sourcing agent, then it’s only logical and smart if you know the common China sourcing agent fees. Meanwhile, as you may already know, there are thousands of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) and sourcing agents in China. That’s why it’s difficult to find any industry standards for China sourcing agent fees.

While many sourcing agents will try to attract customers with free service for trial orders or the cheapest rates, low-cost offers often translate into low-quality products. To make sure you’re paying the right amount, you need to understand how pricing works. Continue reading to discover some China sourcing agent fees and how much they cost.

Fixed or Flat-rate Fee

This is one of the most common pricing methods used by China sourcing agents. Just as the name implies, most agents will charge you a fixed monthly or weekly, or hourly fee for a specific product or project. In this type of arrangement, the agent will connect you with a supplier and you can directly build the business relationship.

Naturally, this is the cheapest route to hire a sourcing agent in China. However, it’s the riskiest as low-cost agents are often not qualified and have little or no genuine work experience. So, you’ll most likely end up with a poor-quality supplier.

Another way is to hire a full-time sourcing agent or company for the duration of your project for a fixed monthly fee. Although this strategy can cost you a little more, you’re more likely to find qualified and experienced individuals or agents. Additionally, they will help you to oversee your project and supplier communication.

One-time Finder’s Fee

There are sourcing agents that are only involved in the early stages of vetting manufacturers. These professionals find and identify potential suppliers, verify their credentials by checking if they are located where they claim to be, if they supply the required product, if they are a manufacturer or a trading company, and communicate the retailer’s requirements to the prospects.

When the candidates get shortlisted to just one, the role of these sourcing agents ends, and communicating with suppliers is given to the retailer. Retailers must pay the finder’s fee after a contract gets signed between the buyer and the supplier.

Manufacturing Management Fee

Partnering with a sourcing agent that offers services beyond funding a supplier is ideal for new and old dropshippers or ecommerce players. This type of sourcing liaison takes care of inspecting suppliers and managing inventory as they get manufactured. This process includes tooling, sampling, negotiating the prices, prototyping products, and arranging high-quality check control.

Commission or Percentage Service Fee

Many sourcing agents also charge buyers a percentage service fee or commission on the total value of the purchased inventory. This amount may be anywhere from 5% to 10% of the order cost as sourcing fees.

However, the percentage will depend and vary based on the product sourced and the order size. If your order is bigger, some sourcing agents may work on as low as 3% commission. Again, make sure you double-check the costs and the agent profile though, as lower costs often translate into poor product quality.

How Much Does It Cost?

If you are new to dropshipping or e-commerce business, understanding how China sourcing fees work might be confusing. Number one is that there are no industry standards. Secondly, the charges will surely vary according to the scope of services (as discussed earlier), the product size and quantity, the dollar value of the purchase order, and the complexity of the part required, among other factors.

Parting Words

Hopefully, this article has done justice to you knowing about some China sourcing agent fees and how they charge. However, when it comes to partnering with sourcing agents, going for the candidate that offers their services for the lowest prices isn’t always the best strategy. It’s crucial to vet and deliberate on each sourcing agent thoroughly.

China sourcing agents serve as a retailer’s representative abroad. They must be able to communicate a business’ demands and expectations with ease. From there, it can be deduced that finding the right sourcing agent in China, and being well-informed of their fees and how much they cost is very critical for successfully outsourcing your manufacturing needs.

Dropshipping is one of the biggest trends in modern business because it makes local and international trade a lot easier for the parties involved. With China being the world’s biggest hubs for manufacturing, dropshipping or sourcing products from China is very common. However, there are a lot of barriers: language, logistics, and the sourcing, packaging, and shipment of products. Thankfully a reputable sourcing agent – such as Fulfillman and Yiwu Market Guide Company – can help you navigate all these barriers. In this article, we will take a look at Fulfillman vs. Yiwu Market Guide Company to determine the best sourcing agent in China.

Fulfillman

Fulfillman is arguably one of China’s most prominent players on the global dropshipping scene.It offers a wide range of services that are designed to make dropshipping easier than walking in the park. Although it was only established several years back, it is fast becoming one of China’s leading sourcing agents. And it is easy to see why:

Great Dropshipping Software

Fulfillman’s dropshipping software simplifies the dropshipping process and makes it so easy that dropshipping newbies can manage their businesses. It is optimized for both mobile and desktop platforms, so you can stay abreast of your transactions and do all the dropshipping you want from the comfort of your device.

Customized Product Sourcing

Each business concern/individual has a set of products that needs. Fulfillman offers customized product sourcing that meets your particular business needs. They have a team of seasoned sourcing agents that can help you get the best products for your business.

Third-Party Logistics

With Fulfillman, you get access to third-party logistics services that you can count on. This access is mainly because of the 3PL warehouse management system designed to cater to the prompt fulfillment of customers’ orders.

Product Branding

Few buyers are attracted to a drab-looking product that says nothing about what customers can relate with. With Fulfillman, you can count on free yet top-notch product branding services that help make your products unique in the marketplace.

Prompt Shipping of Products

Speed is crucial to the success of a dropshipping. You could lose clients if your products are never on time. That is why the Fulfillman sourcing company ensures that you get your products ASAP.

No Hidden Prices/Charges

Fulfillman is one of the best at providing transparent prices. So if you choose to work with them, what you see is what you get. So you needn’t worry about paying any hidden charges that were not quoted initially.

Affordable Services

Fulfillman has some of the most affordable product sourcing services in the global dropshipping industry. You can get to 5-10% cheaper than the average industry rates offer.

Great Customer Support

A big part of the Fulfillman brand is excellent customer support. They are believed to have the best customer service team in the global drop shipping space. That is going by the reviews of satisfied customers. The best part is that they continue to offer exceptional customer support over the years.

Yiwu Market Guide Company

Sometime in May 2009, a young man decided to relocate to Yiwu after losing his job at Alibaba.com.He soon started guiding visitors around the Yiwu market, and not long after that, he became a buying agent to many visitors who needed help with their purchases at the Yiwu market

By 2014, the company had grown to more visitors, more return customers, and more teammates, and so by 2020, they had helped more than 500 visitors/buyers globally. Here are some of the services that they offer:

Bottom of Form

Easy and Safe Buys

When dealing with this sourcing agent, you get the services of an expert who helps you source the products you’re interested in before reporting to you(no sourcing fee is charged). This service eliminates any fruitless journeys that you may take.

Miscellaneous Needs Are Met

This sourcing agent can handle hotel bookings, buying train tickets, and chauffeur services from the airport. Other things that they can help you with include:

Confirm the final quantity of products
Send proforma invoice to you
Receive deposits
Place orders
Monitor production
Arrange to warehouse
Collect products
Quality control
Down payments of suppliers balance
Inspect container loading(when FCL)
Ship container to your desired destination
Prepare the paperwork for China customs declaration
Release / telex-release customs papers for clearance
Sort aftersales issues

Tailored Sourcing Services

With the Yiwu Market Guide Company, you get sourcing services that include:

Translations
Evaluation of suppliers,
Product detail confirmation
Negotiations
Picture taking
Creation of product lists.

Endnote

Fulfillman and Yiwu Market Guide Company are two amazing China sourcing agent company that make things easy for drophsippers and online entrepreneurs. Going by the services we just described, we recommend choosing Fulfillman for your China sourcing needs. The company offers a wide selection of services that your drophshipping or ecommerce business could benefit from.

Contact us today at Fulfillman to know more about our services. We provide a wide range of services including Global Fulfillment, China Sourcing, Drop Shipping, Third Party Logistics, and lots more. Our trusted experts will be happy to speak with you and provide suitable answers to your questions and concerns. A fantastic experience awaits you.

Fulfillman-vs.-Yiwu-HOPEFUL-Agent.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1

Are you a prospective exporter looking to exploit the products available in China? The thing with getting goods from China is that you need a reputable sourcing agent company to help you avoid some of the pitfalls that occur when you trade in unfamiliar terrain. The right sourcing agent – Fulfillman and Yiwu HOPEFUL Agent – will do most of the work for you, and you can get your goods delivered to you wherever you are in the world without having to set foot in China.

That said, there are a million and one sourcing agent companies in China, so picking the right one might be challenging. That’s why we will be reviewing two of the leading sourcing agent companies in China – Fulfillman and Yiwu HOPEFUL Agent – so that you don’t have to go through too much hassle in getting a good sourcing agent.

Fulfillman

Fulfillman has earned itself a reputation for providing a comprehensive array of professional, high-quality, reliable, and customized sourcing services for exporters and dropshippers interested in importing products from China. They have been able to adjust to the ever-changing industry, and they have kept this possible thanks to their state-of-the-art technology and a range of services we will be looking at in a bit.

Proficient Hands

The Fulfillman company boasts of a “band” of sourcing experts who understand the business inside out. They have the know-how and experience to handle every aspect of the sourcing process (production, shipment, and fulfillment) regardless of the industry or field. This way, it becomes easy for you to work with reputable suppliers in China.

Simplified Process

Fulfillman has a dropshipping app that can be accessed on both desktop and mobile devices. This intuitive,user-centric app provides information on sales, sold items, pending orders, and updated inventory. With the Fulfillman app, you can easily carry out your import/dropshipping business with little or no problems.

Quality Control

Fulfillman has a reputation to protect; they take strict quality control measures to ensure that they are involved with only the best products. Their agents vet the entire order during the production process. They also double-check before shipment to ensure you get quality goods.

They Keep You Up To Speed

Fulfillman provides continuous updates about their client’s purchases and fulfillment so that they are kept up to speed. All the information is kept in an Excel file sent to you at the beginning of the process. Any updates are sent to the file.

Branding

Brand visibility is key to staying ahead of the competition in the dropshipping space. The Fulfillman company understands this. They also offer premium branding services like quality logos, printing packages, flyers, business cards, and custom boxes.

Round-the-Clock Support

The Fulfillman company provides round-the-clock support so that clients can always get answers and directions whenever they need them.

Competitive Rates

Fulfillman helps you source premium products without having to burn a hole in your pockets. In some instances, they offer as much as 5-10% off the prices that are obtainable on most other e-commerce platforms.

Great Logistics Services

Fulfillman offers efficient and reliable logistics services. They also use a 3PL warehouse management system that facilitates the prompt fulfillment of orders to any location want.

Yiwu HOPEFUL

Yiwu HOPEFUL is a sourcing agent company based in the biggest wholesale market in China, the Yiwu Market. They have over 20 years experience of exporting goods to international clients and have earned a reputation for providing honest and fair service over the years. Here are some of the services they offer

Market Surveys

The Yiwu HOPEFUL team will go to the market to liaise with the wholesalers one after the other. They negotiate the best possible prices based on the suppliers’ directory. They note all the details of this survey: pricing, item number, and packing details.

Great Advice

The agents then offer advice that should help you arrive at the best price for you based on their findings during the market survey.

They Handle The Rest of the Process

Once you pay the T/T 30% deposit to the company’s account, the suppliers are asked to supply. The goods are then collected at their warehouse, where quality control checks are done. Once that is done, they prepare the documents and get the goods shipped to you wherever you are.

Some of the other services that they offer include

Free warehouse
Export declaration
Marketing guide/translator
Purchase & forwarding
Free car
Airport pickup
Affordable hotel bookings
Quality inspection
International freight
Handling of documents

Endnote

From the two leading China sourcing agents compared above, we recommend that you choose Fulfillman because they have held their own in the global dropshipping space in recent times. The company is a force to reckon with where sourcing products from China is involved.

Product-Sourcing-Strategies-for-Ecommerce-Startups.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1

Assume you have a fantastic idea for a new ecommerce business. Or perhaps you’ve discovered a new product that would be a great addition to your brands. One of the first decisions you’ll have to make is how you’ll get the products you’ll need to put your concept to market. In this blog, we’ll look at nine product sourcing tactics for ecommerce firms, as well as several sorts of product sourcing.

What is Product Sourcing?

Product sourcing involves choosing credible suppliers from whom you can purchase high-quality goods. You may need supplies for the manufacture of your product or intend to resell them. The primary objective is to acquire the top-quality product at the lowest cost. That margin will facilitate your brand’s success.

What To Consider Before Sourcing A Product

Before sourcing a product, here are some things to consider:

DIY Products or Services

The internet has made it easy to sell handmade goods like knitted blankets, handmade jewelry, and hand-drawn paintings. However, you’ll need materials. You may find these in craft stores, large stores, and other outlets. Then you’ll have to figure out how you’ll deliver orders to customers.

Collaboration with Wholesalers or Manufacturers

While your business expands, you will discover you don’t have enough capacity or personnel to create your products; you could decide it’s essential to engage a manufacturer or wholesaler to help you build your product, or at the very minimum, enhance your DIY efforts during peak seasons.

Engaging the Services of a Fulfillment Center

A fulfillment center is a third-party logistics firm or a dropshipper that allows you to buy things from a vendor and sell them on your website. Basically, you’re unloading goods, packaging, and fulfilling orders.

9 Product Sourcing Strategies for Ecommerce Startups

Below are some product sourcing strategies for ecommerce startups:

Do Research

You may believe you have a fantastic product concept. However, the market may not agree. As a result, you’ll need to perform some market research to identify what products interest your customers. Furthermore, don’t just start selling a product because of the huge profit margins; because margins will be meaningless when no one buys.

Be Constantly Sourcing

Although sales may be high and you might believe you have chosen the best product source, it is vital to keep sourcing and searching for opportunities continuously. Being complacent can be disastrous for any business. You can stay relevant to customers while also maintaining profitability when you keep checking out new products and trends in the industry.

Emulate the Successful Vendors

Once it concerns product sourcing, there’s no big deal in emulating the business tactics of other established vendors to be successful yourself. You can place an order with one of your competitors. By inspecting the packaging, you should be able to determine who supplied the product. If you are impressed with the services, including packaging and delivery, the company could probably be ideal for product sourcing.

Go Offline

Why would an online business branch out into the physical world? To perform some research! By attending business conferences, you might be able to identify a good product source. You can also engage product manufacturers, and creators face to face at these events, potentially forming a long-term partnership.

Prepare a Backup Strategy

Having a secondary supplier is understandable, and it doesn’t always imply you don’t appreciate the other supplier. If your primary supplier suffers a disaster, such as a cyberattack, a severe storm, or a defective product, it can drastically disrupt your supply chain. With a backup plan, you can run your business smoothly without any disruption.

Consider the Local Business Environment

Many ecommerce vendors will go to China for production solutions in order to enhance profit margins. However, keeping product sourcing and production local to home may be to your benefit sometimes. Besides, you will have the assurance that the US government regulates the product, and you will also be able to avoid language hurdles and other difficulties. Plus, a “Made in the US label” can also be a significant selling point and product identifier, depending on your target audience.

Remove the Intermediaries

The more the number of entities in your supply line, the higher the product price. If possible, get your products directly from the source or as close to the source as you can; this will help to reduce costs while boosting profits.

Get Acquainted With Your Supplier

You should maintain your relationship with your suppliers such that they easily remember you when they have a new product or quickly attend to you when you’re stocked with a defective product. Furthermore, a good supplier will offer you all of the information about the product, including descriptions, FAQs, and buying tips. Most of this information is incredibly useful to customers, and it might be the difference between generating a sale and losing a customer to a competitor.

Establish Your Own Trend

On the other side, if a market is saturated, hopping on board may not be in your best interests, especially if you don’t want to end up with a lot of unsold goods. After performing some research and consulting with vendors, it may be preferable to venture out on your own and establish your own trends.

Choosing a Reliable Product Sourcing Partner

The importance of finding a trustworthy partner cannot be overemphasized. There are crooks out there attempting to prey on new ecommerce businesses. They usually pose as manufacturers or distributors, buy from someone else and then resell to you at exorbitant prices; this can reduce your profits. So, it’s vital that you do your research to avoid working with the wrong partner.

Contact us today at Fulfillman to know more about our services. We specialize in providing excellent Drop Shipping services, Warehouse fulfillment, China sourcing, Third Party Logistics, and so forth. Our dedicated experts will be available to speak with you and discuss the options available to you. We guarantee you get quality and excellent services that gives 100% client satisfaction.

Fulfillman-vs.-Linkyiwu-Sourcing-Agent.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1

Many people are interested in the dropshipping business because of the flexible nature, apart from the fact that the drop shipping business can bring a lot of rewards when you operate it for a long time. However, although drop shipping is still as profitable and potent as before, it has become harder to succeed in the business because society changes and advances by the day; hence, the business will have to align with the new way of doing things become successful. Fulfillman and Linkyiwu are some of the best platforms for dropshipping businesses.

In modern times automation has become an essential aspect of drop-shipping; drop shippers can employ several tools to make their business operation easier. However, the most important thing in all of this is to know the right tools to make your dropshipping business grow. Fulfillman and Linkyiwu are some of the companies moving the dropshipping business forward in China. These two sourcing agents are one of the most popular platforms used by drop shippers. In this post, we made a comparison between the two platforms to help you decide the one that’s best for you.

Fulfillman

Ever since Fufillman was established in 2016, it has emerged as one of the best e-commerce platforms which have stepped up the game in dropshipping. The company has attracted many drop shippers and built its reputation as one of the top companies providing quality dropshipping to clients worldwide within a few years after it was established. Fulfillman is popularly known for its efficient strategy that makes drop shippers perform their dropshipping business without much hassle; they also make constant adjustments in their approach to improving their customers’ experiences. This is why many business owners are now using the platform for their drop shipping business. Here are some of the unique features of Fulfillman:

Friendly Mobile and Desktop Platforms

Fulfillman aims to enhance their customers’ experiences by providing platforms that facilitate communication between the seller and the buyers. It offers excellent platforms for both mobile and desktop users. The interface on both platforms is impressive and straightforward; it’s also easy to navigate through the platforms. Fulfillman continues to keep its mobile and desktop platform in good condition to enable drop shippers to run their business smoothly.

Quality Check and Product Sourcing

Fulfillment specializes in sourcing products in China for its customers. They are located in a strategic industrial area where they can easily get quality products directly from the best manufacturers. Additionally, they provide quality products at the best prices. Fulfillman also ensures that the products meet the required standard by performing quality checks on products.

Product Branding

Product branding is vital to business cause it helps you stand out among competitors and make your brand appear unique to customers. Many drop shippers are switching to Fulfillman because it offers branding services to their customers. If you want a brand logo on your product packages, Fulfillman can help you create logos on your product packages, business flyers, and custom boxes plus, they do not charge you extra for the service.

Customer Support 24/7

One feature that makes Fulfillman stand out among other leading dropshipping platforms is its excellent customer support. Customers who wish to lay a complaint can contact the support team anytime as Fulfillman provides 24/7 customer support that helps to solve any issues that may have occurred. Additionally, the support team is reliable and efficient, making the customers enjoy a smooth service on the platform.

Access to Information

Fulfillman makes drop shipping easy by giving you information about your sales, pending orders, products sold, and inventory of items. The information is displayed on the dashboard after you’ve created an account with Fulfillman. This information helps you make strategic decisions that can help you run your business more profitably.

Quick Delivery Service

Fast delivery is one of the business processes that can attract new customers and keep existing customers returning to buy from you; this is because customers prefer to get their products on time after purchase. Fulfillman aims to provide quick delivery services by using the fastest shipping method available to ensure your customers get the product as soon as possible.

Linkyiwu

Linkyiwu is an independent sourcing agent in China that provides third-party services. The platform offers services and helps you gain easy access to Yiwu Wholesale Market and meet the various manufacturers in Yiwu. Linkyiwu also offers advanced logistics and source products at competitive prices. Some other unique qualities of the company include:

Affordable and Relatively Low Commission
More than 10 Years Experience in Export Business
Free product sourcing service
Production Follow-up
Small Business Friendly

However, even though Linkyiwu provides multiple benefits, it has its drawbacks, including failure of on-time delivery and substandard product quality.

Conclusion

As a drop shipper, it’s vital that you take advantage of the variety of benefits Fulfillman offers. If you’re looking for a sourcing agent for your dropshipping business, Fulfillman should be your best bet, especially if you have a standard to maintain. They make it easier for you to run your dropshipping business and give you an edge over your competitors.

Sourcing-Products-from-China-1.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1

China is the leading region for the sourcing of goods. This demand for the sourcing of goods is primarily due to their large labor force and industrialization. But people have heard negative tales of sourcing goods from China which makes them skeptical. While it is okay to have second thoughts, your business success depends on a lot of factors. Some of these factors include negotiating skills, knowledge about sellers, product niche, etc.

Excellent negotiation skills are one of the primary factors that influence good business when sourcing products from China. Below are seven expert tips for good negotiation when China sourcing:

Conduct Background Checks on Suppliers

Background checks on the suppliers are one of the first steps to ensure that trust is established. It is essential to do a business check on a chosen supplier before negotiating a price. A business registration check will assure that you are dealing with legitimate business owners. You will be able to view their business range and know if they have legal issues. You will also be able to clarify that they have the required business capital.

It is also wise to conduct an initial factory evaluation (IFE). Initial Factory Evaluation is simply checking a company’s manufacturing capability. This evaluation helps you to know a worthy client. It will also let you know if your investment is safe.

Understand the Price of Products

Understanding the price of products is key to negotiating for the best prices. It is best to get ideas from at least five different suppliers. Then you evaluate the average price and utilize it in negotiations. The knowledge or overview of the market price will help you understand negotiating with the Chinese market better. And how a Chinese supplier can be pushed to beat a price.

Purchase in Bulk Quantities

Naturally, the higher the number of goods purchased, the better the discount. With this understanding of the price, you can quickly negotiate a good discount if you buy in high demand. You can still negotiate for a better price if you are purchasing a few goods. And if your annual estimate is high enough, you can make your supplier cooperate with you.

Earn the Trust of the Supplier

Good communication and sharing good information with suppliers will make them trust you and take you seriously. Information about the fluidity of your market will put you in an influential position. If suppliers understand your market, they will put you into consideration during any business transaction.

Winning for both parties, you and the supplier is a mutual expectation between you and your supplier. This expectation is why you need to show them solid growth and decent financials. This transparency, in turn, allows them to understand that you are ambitious and will make them prioritize their relationship with you.

Make Adjustment to Payment Terms to Negotiate for Better Discount

One of the easiest ways to get a discount is to make payment terms favorable to a supplier. Averagely, payment terms are often 30% when placing the order and 70% for shipment. However, you can decide to table a more favorable offer for the supplier. Such as 40% when placing the order and 60% before shipment. You can even choose to bank on higher stakes to offer 50/50 terms.

Be a Valued Customer

Making endless requests for samples without making purchases is bad for your business. You need to make sure that you make requests for samples to buy the products. It is essential to build transparent relationships, have good communication, and meet deadlines to be valued. Being valued will ease negotiations between you and your suppliers. And the value can create a long-lasting relationship between you and your Chinese supplier.

Don’t push too hard while bargaining to slash a price. Lenient negotiation will make your suppliers prioritize and value you. Your suppliers will not want to lose you, which will make you have a solid ground in negotiations. This tip will help you gain a future and long-lasting ground in negotiating with your Chinese supplier.

Timing is Important

Negotiating at the right time will give you the edge. It would be best if you bought goods when the market is not too busy. With the right timing, you can use a technique called “flinch.” The flinch method works by temporarily withdrawing from buying if the price is too high. And do not place an order if you have not agreed on the price.

Endnote

To conclude, you should note that shipment methods affect the cost of sourcing products from China. Proper timing, earning your supplier’s trust, and creating an avenue for transparency helps to improve price negotiation. These tips will also help you to buy quality products at a lower price. Build a healthy relationship between you and the Chinese supplier.

Do you need professional help and guidance in your China sourcing? Contact us today at Fulfillman. We are a reputable service provider of China Sourcing services. We also provide Drop Shipping, Warehouse Fulfillment, Third Party Logistics, and many more. Our dedicated team will be available to speak with you and discuss the options available to you. We guarantee you excellent services.

Sourcing-products-from-China.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1

China is one of the world’s biggest manufacturing hubs. Over the years, it has become a great destination for businesses looking to source unique yet affordable products. Importing products from China has many benefits for people who have the experience and understanding of the China sourcing process.

However, it is an entirely different story for the uninitiated looking for a means to exploit some of the benefits of sourcing products from China. A poorly planned and badly executed attempt at importing goods from China can lead to avoidable losses. What with all the fluctuating costs and fees, delays and every other thing that could go wrong with your China sourcing endeavors. There is good news, though.

Sourcing products from China does not have to be a complex and risky affair. All you need is an understanding of how to go about it. Thankfully, this article offers some insights on ways to source products from China. Read on.

Buying from Sourcing Agents/Trading Companies or Sourcing Service Provider

If you have the finances, it might be a great idea to get professionals to do the heavy lifting. Professionals like sourcing agents, trading companies and source service providers have the experience and connections they leverage to meet your importation needs.

It might be pricey, but if you can hire an experienced and reliable sourcing agent/sourcing service provider or trading company, it will be a worthwhile investment.

Sourcing agents are better positioned to handle the product sourcing processes: getting and negotiating the best pricing and terms with the best suppliers and picking the best logistics services. You’d need to handle some parts of the process yourself, though.

A sourcing service provider will take complete control of the process, and you might not need to handle any part of the process. A sourcing service provider will handle supplier identification, price negotiation, supply management, quality control and logistics, and shipment. They save you from a lot of hassles, although their services are pricier than those of the sourcing agents.

Hiring a reputable trading company is another great option if you want to source a small number of products from China. They have the network required to get you’re the product. The downside is that their services are not personalized, so you might have product quality issues.

Contacting Manufacturers Directly

You could buy your products straight from the manufacturers without having to be physically present. It will require a lot of research as you’d need to ascertain, validate, and assess a potential manufacturer. After you have completed these processes, you can then proceed to source the products directly from them. There is also the option of buying products via a B2B sourcing platform. If you can get the right manufacturer and the transaction goes smoothly, you stand to save significant funds. There are risks involved, though: scams and poor quality products.

Attending Trade Shows

Trade shows present great opportunities to meet potential suppliers first-hand. This enables you to forge relationships that could land you better deals and more. You also get to vet and inspect new products that you might want to add to your inventory. There are three types of trade shows that you could attend in China

General trade shows
Industry-specific fairs
Regional marketplaces

Visits To the Factory

Getting to visit a supplier’s factory allows you to see how suitable they are for business. You get to see the state of their facilities, the capabilities of their workers, the type of equipment they use, and the efficiency of their production line. The best part is that you get to meet with the management and negotiate directly with them.

Referrals

Referrals can come in handy when looking to land a reputable and experienced supplier. You can get referrals from online sources like friends and business acquaintances. You could also get referrals from online sources like online forums and social media.

Attending Matchmaking Events

There are matchmaking events that are solely designed for people looking to source products from local Chinese suppliers. Some sourcing platforms and trade shows often power these events, and they are a great avenue to meet the right suppliers for you. You’d need to take the necessary precautions, though.

Customs Import Records

You could also use customs import records to ascertain the right suppliers for your business. The idea is to study the import records of established firms in your industry. A thorough study of their imports would reveal the supplier who you could trust to deliver quality products. After all, if they are good enough for the established businesses, they should be good enough to do business with you.

Fulfillman China Sourcing Services

Fulfillman China Sourcing Services is the undisputable leader in China’s dropshipping space. We offer a range of services that are sure to meet even your most diverse product sourcing needs. The best part is that our business is designed so that even newbies can easily source products from China.

Contact us today at Fulfillman if you need professional help with your China sourcing endeavors. We are a reputable provider of China Sourcing services. In addition, we offer Drop Shipping, Third Party Logistics, Warehouse Fulfillment, Product Photography, Private Label Dropshipping, and many more. Our dedicated team will be available to speak with you and discuss the options available to you. We guarantee you outstanding and exceptional services.

Sourcing-Your-Products-from-China-in-2021.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1

China is currently amongst the world largest manufacturing hub, they are also one of the leading ecommerce businesses worldwide. The country’s technological advancement has further aided them in the international market and they would likely dominate the international market for the next few decades. As a result, a lot of ecommerce owners have turned to China sourcing (sourcing products from China).

Sourcing wholesale products from China offer business owners and online sellers the opportunity to purchase products at cheaper prices from Chinese manufacturers. This way, they can sell and make reasonable profit. Unfortunately, there are lots of scams in today’s China markets. Likewise, getting high quality products is essential when sourcing products from China. Below we’ll be looking at eight essential tips to succeed with product sourcing from China in 2021.

Research

Most people skip this part, which is a very big mistake. A thorough study of the market is the very first step to any successful business, China sourcing isn’t any different. Learning about the market is very essential to minimize risks of failing. Look at what products are trending, what consumers are purchasing, feedbacks from social media or elsewhere, also make sure it’s profitable (reason we do business anyways). Knowing all these helps considerably when negotiating with suppliers or manufacturers.

Contact Your Chinese Suppliers or Manufacturers

As stated earlier do your homework diligently here to avoid scammers. Online Chinese business directories come in handy here. These platforms connect buyers to suppliers in China. Know exactly what you want because these ensures this process goes smoothly. China sourcing platforms help in filtering different niches and also the trustworthiness of potential suppliers.

Communications

Gap in language and culture must not be overlooked instead utmost attention must be paid here. Big suppliers tend to have English customer service, however many problems arise from miscommunication. Detailed information on requirements to the finest details of the transaction must be done in such a way that the supplier is very clear on our demands to ensure the supplier is not left to make assumptions. Questions must be asked and responded in a manner both sides have a clear understanding.

Negotiations

Bargaining goes a long way when sourcing from China unlike some other countries. Using this helps you succeed when sourcing from China. Quantity price quantity and even delivery time should be well negotiated. Reasonable, rational and respectable bargaining is however advised, have in mind that the quality is as important as the price so find a balance when bargaining. Haggling mindset should be adopted and unlike western countries they expect you to haggle the terms with them.

Sourcing Agents

Hiring a reputable Chinese sourcing agency is advised for small sized businesses. The extent of the agent’s involvement however depends on you. They can be your supplier, sourcing consultant where they help link you with your supplier and or act as intermediary. They handle most of the negotiations on your behalf, and can arrange samples for inspection by you.

Order Samples

This is a great way to test the quality of products, a very important successful sourcing strategy. This first transaction makes clear not just the quality but also the credibility of the supplier before making your final decision. Sampling process should never be skipped and it’s rather inexpensive when dealing with manufactures directly as it would be deducted when you place your bulk order. Make sure the sample is up to standard and get feedbacks from consumers before proceeding to placing a bulk order.

Suppliers Evaluation

The response time and clarity in the communications of the supplier should be noted. In addition the arrival of the shipments, whether or not the proper products quantity arrived at your store intact, are questions you must get answers to.

Keeping other supplier options is recommended as this helps the buyer have products readily available for the consumers. Having a multi supplier base helps get better prices, higher quality control as one can readily compare the products to get the better one, this also ensures that the buyer almost always has their products available for the consumers. This also enables picking the best option (supplier).

Building Relationships and Connections

The Chinese put emphasis on “guanxi” or your place of hierarchy of relationships. Guanxi is loosely translated to mean “connections” or “relationships” but the word means much more and is very important if you are going to be successful sourcing from China. Outsiders have got to earn this by putting efforts in business relationships that they cross into your social relationships. Trust dignity and respect are essential tools in building guanxi.

Diligence

Close monitoring at every stage is required and doing necessary follow ups is very critical for success, you must know when your shipment is due to arrive and follow up appropriately. Make sure you are actively involved even when using trusted sourcing agents to avoid scams and frauds. Sourcing doesn’t stop after the product is sourced. Buyers must continue to main the quality and integrity of the products not forgetting strengthening relationships with the supplier.

Endnote

There you have it! Above are some essential tips to succeed with sourcing your products from China in 2021. Sourcing products from China should never be a hassle when you have the right agency on your side. We sincerely hope that this short article will help you every step of the road as you successfully source products from China in 2021.

Do you need professional help and guidance in sourcing products from China? Contact us today at Fulfillman. We are a reputable service provider of China Sourcing services. We also provide Drop Shipping, Third Party Logistics, Warehouse Fulfillment, Product Photography, Private Label Dropshipping, and many more. Our dedicated team will be available to speak with you and discuss the options available to you. We guarantee you outstanding and exceptional services.

Product-Quality-from-China.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1

China is the world’s largest manufacturing country. Therefore, most retailers, online sellers, dropshipping, and ecommerce business owners from other countries have to source products from China. However, China sourcing may not be as simple as we imagine. This is because a large number of products manufactured in the country are of poor quality. For this reason, it is crucial to ensure your product quality from China.

Furthermore, foreign companies, dropshipping and ecommerce businesses must conduct due diligence when sourcing products from China. Doing this will help ensure they get top value for their money. Besides, you can maintain your business reputation by providing quality, durable, and reliable products for your customers. In this article, we will provide you with eight insightful tips to ensure you are sourcing top quality products from China.

Conduct In-Depth Research of the Company

Before going into business with a Chinese manufacturer or supplier, conduct in-depth research of the company. Request their manufacturer references, quality and compliance certificates, as well as case studies of work accomplished with other companies, preferably foreign. Reach out to companies the manufacturer has worked with and make inquiries about the quality of their manufacturing process.

Inspect the Company’s Facilities

What’s more, ensuring your product quality from China also involves inspecting the company’s facilities. The manufacturer sent you pictures of his facility, and everything looks great. But what if that isn’t his facility? While the internet is a great tool that makes communication easier, it is also one that makes deception easier.

If you can, pay a visit to the manufacturer in China. And no, do not stop at their corporate offices only but also ensure you see their factories. Conduct a thorough inspection of the factories and ensure it is not simply a front. Check the production line of the factory and also the certifications that prove their legitimacy.

However, if you cannot pay a visit to the manufacturer yourself, hire a professional inspector in the country to help you out. There is no shortage of them. Most importantly, ensure the inspecting firm you are hiring is a reputable product or facility inspector. Even better if you can get one via referrals.

Discuss the Product Standards

In addition, take time to discuss expected product standards with the manufacturer. Most manufacturers claim to produce top-quality products. While that is significant and is a step in the right direction, it won’t get you all the way there.

Endeavor to communicate the standards of products you or your customers expect to the Chinese manufacturer or supplier. Don’t mince words. Communicate every detail, no matter how small or inconsequential it might seem. Ensuring the manufacturer understands your business culture and the exact standards you have will ensure everything is in order.

Order Sample

Another way to ensure your product quality from China is to order sample items. Request for a sample product or item for inspection before proceeding with bulk orders or approving a full production run. A sample order offers you the opportunity to inspect one or two items before buying in large quantities. Also, when you order sample of products, you can test how the product will perform on your dropshipping or ecommerce store. This will help ensure that you are making the right decisions for your business.

Keep Track Of the Manufacturing Process

Despite all the fact that you have ordered sample, you should still keep track of the manufacturing process. Apply the principle of “trust, but verify.” This will help make sure that the manufacturing process is on the right track and that nothing happens midway that you didn’t assent to. The best way for this would be to have someone you trust to help monitor the process.

Ensure Everything Is In Order

Also, it is important to ensure that everything is in order and going as planned. Even though you have done due diligence and ensured your company’s standards were met, you can never be too sure. Besides, one thing you do not want to do is sell low-quality products to your customers, as this can damage your reputation irreparably. As such, conduct a final assessment of the products before shipping.

Be Clear On Your Production Schedule

Additionally, ensure that you are clear enough on the schedule times. Have an idea of the lead times and when your order will arrive. Having such crucial information will help you sort out any unexpected problems that might arise. Also, you will be able to find possible solutions to prevent delays or disappointments.

Inspect Before Shipment

Finally, ensure that you perform a pre-shipment inspection. Despite your hard work and efforts you’ve put into following up and monitoring the production process, the last thing you want is to be disappointed after receiving your products. A pre-shipment inspection will serve as the final checking stage that will put your mind at ease.

There you have it! Above are eight tips to ensure product quality from china. Most dropshipping and ecommerce businesses turn to China sourcing to get products for their online business. While it is true that low-quality products abound in China, it is equally true that high-quality products are plentiful. If you do due diligence and follow the tips provided above, you can ensure that you secure products of unquestionable quality while China sourcing.

For more information about our dropshipping or China Sourcing services, contact us today at Fulfillman. We are dedicated to providing affordable, reliable, and highly professional services. Our trusted team will be available to speak with you and discuss your options. We will provide suitable answers to your questions and concerns. With us, you are guaranteed to get quality and excellent services.

Newer Posts

Older Posts