Within a few years, China has become one of the leading marketplaces for sourcing different items. Like any widely famous product sourcing platform, numerous companies and entrepreneurs are purchasing all types of things. So, it’s important to get ready for the distinct challenges of sourcing items from China, particularly if you don’t want to visit the country.
The journey to successfully sourcing from China is paved with broken dreams, dodgy suppliers, and even one-sided working relationships. You might wonder if getting the right supply is possible without visiting an Asian country.
How to find credible suppliers
After choosing what you want to sell, the next thing is getting credible suppliers. Online is a good place to start, but other resources and tips will complement your search. Finding reliable suppliers online will take time compared to looking for them in person at trade shows such as Canton Fair.
Start with ecommerce sites
Online marketplaces such as Alibaba, Global Sources, or DH Gate are great places to find a wide range of Chinese suppliers. There are many reputable trading firms, but also a few bad apples. Here are tips to assist you in choosing the best supplier.
- Choose established suppliers
Any reputable supplier on these online marketplaces is certified; for instance, on Alibaba, they are regarded as gold suppliers. They have a proven track record of delivering quality services, and their clients can attest to this. That said, new suppliers are joining these sites every day, so don’t be so quick to write them off for these verified suppliers.
- Use a sourcing agent
These are often locals who can act as your representative on the ground and get you the products you need. What is great about using an agent when sourcing from China is you have someone on the ground. They can carry out research on the best suppliers and watch over the whole delivery process, ensuring you get what you pay for: premium quality goods.
- Pay attention to their external presence
In most cases, credible suppliers have an external online presence. After a quick google search, the supplier’s site should pop up. Browse through it for more information about the firm and its services. Keywords such as address and history will help you double-check their presence and get more details about their trading records.
- Communication will help you get a feel for things
Question your preferred suppliers about their company and products. Pay attention to answers that are off from what other companies say. For example, avoid that supplier if a company says they don’t have the product fact sheet while other companies selling similar products are ready to give one. Be ready to leave a deal if something doesn’t feel right. After the first contact, assess their response time and how seriously they take your communication.
- Request a sample
Request samples from various suppliers and make a note of the import expenses, shipping time, and many more. Make the product go through stress and analyse it from all aspects while adopting the end-user mindset. The product should be high quality if you want to associate your business with it.
Real learning starts when you experience the sourcing procedure, and it requires you to join the importing bandwagon. While getting the feel of things, use the guide to ensure you work with credible suppliers and sell high-quality products.
If you are sourcing directly from Chinese factories, it is essential to have a team onsite to manage the process and to look out for your interests. Not just any team, but a professional, experienced group of specialists who know how to get the results you need repeatedly and reliably. Having such a capable team is what we refer to as the China Sourcing Solution. But setting up an office and team in China is costly and time-consuming. And managing such a team effectively from a distance is challenging. That’s where CPG comes into play.
China Performance Group is a highly specialized China sourcing company that specializes in China supply chain management. We have been managing the first segment of the China supply chain since 1978 and have been fine-tuning and improving our processes over the years.
We offer a professional and managed solution, which includes your own dedicated branch office in China. Our Ultimate China Sourcing Solution™ is tailored to your specific needs and objectives, and we provide you with a dedicated sourcing team that will manage all of your sourcing processes.
Our team operates on a 30-day pulse, allowing you to stay in control and have an on-site team that works with your existing factories or finds the best ones for your products. We focus on the three essentials for a successful sourcing program (Price, Quality, and On-Time Delivery) while responding to your immediate needs.
Our China office is based in Beijing and acts as an extension of your home office. The capital of China is an optimal sourcing location with the best transport connections to all parts of China.
