china sourcing service:

we start our first article with the topic how to source?

There are several options to source for quality products in china:



1. By Internet

2. By trade fairs

3. By using a sourcing agent or office

4. By physical audits

Internet sourcing has have seen an enormous growth the last 10 years: Companies like Alibaba and Global souring have seen an enormous growth in page hits and so in new clients and visitors.
The main advantage of internet sourcing is the low initial costs for the purchaser, He or she can find thousands of parts and products from his lazy chair in his or her office. He can compare easily prices of different suppliers within a short period. He can see and compare the different supplier’s profiles and their product portfolio. He doesn’t need to go to China. So he can make a quick advantage/disadvantage list at a very low cost, he can judge already the communication skills of the sales persons or management of the factory. What we also recommend dis asking for sending real samples from China to your office. Also this can be done at low costs.
It sounds easy to source from these business to business sites, These websites have usually an excellent search function and you can find your products also in categorized directories but be careful as there are several drawbacks.

One of these drawbacks is that you cannot have control over the actual supplier:
Is it really a supplier or a middle man or trader, so actually not the owner of the factory you deal with? (sometimes traders can have advantages, but later more on that). Sometimes even conmen are presented on these websites , who will ask for small sample fees and never have the intention to send these samples.

Furthermore seen is believing. One can claim he has several manufacturing capablities and machinery available in his Factory. But sometimes they will outsource this to smaller neighbours as-well.