You might have many stories floating online regarding getting duped by Chinese suppliers and ending up with poor-quality products. Well, such situations might arise, if you have not done your research properly and just picked the first supplier to buy from Chinese factories. Credible Chinese suppliers are known for their products and on-time deliveries.
The Growing Demand for Chinese Suppliers
You might be surprised to know that many big industries rely on Chinese suppliers for importing their products. This is because China is considered to have the most efficient technologies and experienced labour to produce the products. Not to mention the low labour costs that come with it.
The Chinese government is also encouraging Chinese suppliers by providing them with modern equipment or funds to produce top-notch products. Now, the question that might arise in your head would be despite such resources, why are negative reviews on Chinese suppliers?
The reasons can vary depending from business to business. What might have worked for your peer, does not necessarily mean that it would work for you. Here is where you need to deep dive and look at all possible options before deciding on your supplier.
Some of the common reasons why some companies might have received poor quality products from suppliers in the past would be:
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Negotiating too low a price for a product
Yes, we all want to get the best products at a less price, but we fail to think that the quality of the product might also vary. If you negotiate at a lower price, your supplier might not be able to purchase good quality materials to manufacture your product. They might have to make do with the amount available to them which could lead to the products not meeting your expectations.
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Vague specifications in the contract
When you buy from Chinese factories, ensure that you mention every single detail about your product. The raw materials that need to be used, the shape and size of the product, the packaging, the labelling, and other essential details.
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No inspection of the final product
Last, but not least always ask the suppliers to manufacture a sample batch. Inspect the quality of the product. If you are not satisfied, you can make the necessary modifications. Even after the final order has been produced, you need to do the pre-shipment inspections and QC checks.
The best way to ensure that you get the best quality products delivered is by making a checklist of what you expect from your products and your suppliers. Ensure that you plan. Have your drawings or designs ready beforehand. Fix a budget that you would want to set and the timeline for the order completion. Bear in mind to give some thought to the customs duties that would apply.
Some suppliers are very adamant about the MOQ. They will not be able to supply you with small quantities. If you have small orders, you might want to search for suppliers that fit into this bucket. Finding the right supplier is not easy. There are many online sites such as Alibaba that can help you find suppliers, but finally, it all boils down to whether they meet your requirements.
Some tips on finding the right suppliers when you want to buy from Chinese factories are:
- Ask the right questions and get your queries cleared on the spot
- Enquire about their payment mode
- Request for samples of their products
- Ask for references
- Have they worked with US or EU companies before
- Ask for the certificates for the same
- What are the additional services that they offer?
Ensure that you check the reviews and ratings shared by existing clients. You can even call the references and enquire about the suppliers and their credibility.
It is always advisable to order in bulk quantities to cut down on costs. This also helps to build a good rapport between you and the suppliers. If possible, ensure that you visit China and take a tour of the supplier factories and warehouses. This will give you a better insight into their working environment.
Roping in the Experts
If this is your first time dealing with suppliers to buy from Chinese factories, then it might become a bit overwhelming. Here is where the sourcing agents come into the picture. Now, if you search for sourcing agents on the net, you will get a plethora of options. How can you decide which agent would be the right one for you?
If you want the best, you need to shell out from your pockets.
The below tips might be able to narrow down your search:
- They need to be experienced
- They need to have excellent negotiation skills
- They need to be fluent in the local language
- Their offices need to be located in the supplier’s location
- They need to have good networking
It is always better to go in with sourcing agents who have some kind of experience with your products. They should be able to know the specifications and details about the products and be able to tell you potential issues based on their experiences from previous projects.
Now, you might wonder if you are going to invest in sourcing agents, and how they can help me.
Sourcing agents can:
- Help you save time in searching for suppliers
- Due to their networking skills, they will be able to get you the right suppliers as per your requirements
- They can work on discounts and get you the best deals
- They can act as a mediator between you and the supplier and put forth your requirements
- They would be well-versed with the customs laws of China and can help you navigate your way through the entire process
- They will conduct on-site audits and verifications on the suppliers to avoid scams and fraud
- They will share their reports and findings regularly so that you are up-to-date with the project
Conclusion
When you plan to buy from Chinese factories, you need to set realistic expectations. Be as detailed as possible when it comes to putting forth your requirements with the suppliers for them to understand and manufacture good-quality products.
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