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Sharing my lifetime experience in export/import. Product sourcing specialist.

Walter Hay

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Hi Walter,

I've started reading your thread. Trust me I've learnt soo much in just 2 pages of this thread. I wonder how much will I get to learn from next 56 pages.

So I need some advice. I approached a wholesaler on Alibaba. They claim them self to be a wholesaler. The prices they offered are good a bit cheaper in comparison to other traders/wholesalers who have an MOQ where as this company has no MOQ limit. I can buy 10 pieces 5 pieces or 2.

So while I was having an e-mail convo after they explained their terms and condition they quoted me the price and suggested me to buy sample pieces and said all the samples along with shipping costs $65. Now, this is where I find it a little fishy. I'm in India and I've not mentioned anything about my where about how could they just randomly say that $65 is including shipping charge? Could this possibly be a scam?

Further, I've read your post saying that a company working in China can be authentic if they have a website ending with .cn. Further, I've seen and verified their certificates from TÜV Rheinland.

The only thing that sounded fishy was the other supplier asked me about my whereabouts before they quoted me something inclusive of shipping in here it's a different case. They provided me with their quote along with their Paypal account. Do you think it's advisable to go ahead? Or any other inspections to be done?
Your cautious attitude is a good thing. Never take anything at face value.

The fact that you have verified the TUV certificates suggests that the supplier is OK. They might have simply assumed that you are in the USA, and based their quote on that.

If that is the case, you will need to be subtle about the way you raise the subject of your location. If you ask directly whether the cost will be the same to India, they will almost certainly increase it. On the other hand, if you proceed to order without querying cost relative to destination, they are more likely to supply at the quoted price.

If you like to PM me with the supplier's name I will be happy to check them out for you. It will only take me a few minutes. If you prefer to keep that information to yourself, that's OK.

PayPal gives you some protection provided you take note of this: A number of unhappy buyers have been denied protection by PayPal because they claimed "Goods not as described" after they had opened the package and found sawdust, stones 1/2 brick etc. Instead, notify PayPal of a fraud.

I suggest filming the opening of the parcel. If your friendly courier driver will remain present while you do it, make sure you accidentally get their image in the screen at some stage. Probably better to not draw attention to that, otherwise he/she might quickly depart. People don't like to get involved.

Walter
 
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Zedd9165

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Your cautious attitude is a good thing. Never take anything at face value.

The fact that you have verified the TUV certificates suggests that the supplier is OK. They might have simply assumed that you are in the USA, and based their quote on that.

If that is the case, you will need to be subtle about the way you raise the subject of your location. If you ask directly whether the cost will be the same to India, they will almost certainly increase it. On the other hand, if you proceed to order without querying cost relative to destination, they are more likely to supply at the quoted price.

If you like to PM me with the supplier's name I will be happy to check them out for you. It will only take me a few minutes. If you prefer to keep that information to yourself, that's OK.

PayPal gives you some protection provided you take note of this: A number of unhappy buyers have been denied protection by PayPal because they claimed "Goods not as described" after they had opened the package and found sawdust, stones 1/2 brick etc. Instead, notify PayPal of a fraud.

I suggest filming the opening of the parcel. If your friendly courier driver will remain present while you do it, make sure you accidentally get their image in the screen at some stage. Probably better to not draw attention to that, otherwise he/she might quickly depart. People don't like to get involved.

Walter


Sir,

I'm really happy to have come across this forum since the day I joined. The best part is to have people like you around who never turned around from newbies. Instead, guided us with such attention.

I will surely get in touch with you over the personal message.

Thanks alot.
 

Walter Hay

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Sir,

I'm really happy to have come across this forum since the day I joined. The best part is to have people like you around who never turned around from newbies. Instead, guided us with such attention.

I will surely get in touch with you over the personal message.

Thanks alot.
You have my PM reply, and although this appears to be a completely reliable supplier, be sure to take note of what I wrote above about the need to be subtle regarding your location.

Walter
 

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You have my PM reply, and although this appears to be a completely reliable supplier, be sure to take note of what I wrote above about the need to be subtle regarding your location.

Walter
I will be careful about my address. Thank you soo much Mr. Walter.
 
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Greg R

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@Walter Hay thank you very much for all of your infinite wisdom.

I am currently trying to private label a sports garment for plus-size women. This has been a challenge because most private labeling manufacturers in the US that I have seen only have private labeling for normal sizes.

It looks like Alibaba and some other Chinese sites have some available, but I am a little skeptical of using them due to issues with continuity (if we need to reorder), cost of shipping for smaller quantities, and sizing being completely wrong for my target demo among other concerns.

I've had a few ideas about trying to contact mainstream brand manufacturers to do private labeling, or even reaching out to sewing contractors but I'm not sure what my best play is here or if I would be wasting my time.

We are in the works designing our own plus-size garment, but pattern making and production takes the product release a ways out and we want to at least start selling something with our brand name to get awareness out there as well as having an upsell when we do release.

Any insight would be much appreciated. Thank you very much.
 

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Hi Greg,

The simplest way is possibly to buy labeled garments that are not big brand or trademarked, remove the labels and replace them. There is a US company that will do that label removal and replacement for you.

Meanwhile I am checking out some manufacturers in Thailand, and will let you know if I have any luck.

Regards,
Walter
 

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Hi Greg,

The simplest way is possibly to buy labeled garments that are not big brand or trademarked, remove the labels and replace them. There is a US company that will do that label removal and replacement for you.

Meanwhile I am checking out some manufacturers in Thailand, and will let you know if I have any luck.

Regards,
Walter
Hi Walter, In your response to Greg (other one) you gave me an idea re-purposing/labelling. Is it possible to get good quality burlap or linen packaging and put my own label over them?
 
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Zedd9165

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The main issue I've faced with mainstream manufacturers is high MOQ. I don't think a startup might survive with that amount of investment for just inventory.
 

Walter Hay

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Hi Walter, In your response to Greg (other one) you gave me an idea re-purposing/labelling. Is it possible to get good quality burlap or linen packaging and put my own label over them?
Yes Greg W, Burlap bags are available without any branding. Size generally determines price, but I think from what I know of your product you probably need large ones. See here:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000SSUPO0/?tag=tff-amazonparser-20

Linen bags would not likely be made in large sizes.

Walter
 

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Hey walter

appreciate how you guide people here with your precious experience we have been in business with importing auto workshop tools mainly from china and have only platform of alibaba available where. Mostly resellers so when they quote prices its not feasible n not very much competitive when comparing with local market here so can you point us ways to reach factory as language barriers a side

Sent from my G7-L01 using Tapatalk
 
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Walter Hay

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@babal,
I think it will help you to read as much as possible of this thread. I can't explain in a single post all you need to know, but the first thing you need to know is to filter your Alibaba searches to only show you Assessed Suppliers, and read the whole report for each supplier that interests you.

The report will show you if they are manufacturers. They will all have English speaking staff to answer your emails.

Walter
 
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Walter Hay

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Hi Greg,

The simplest way is possibly to buy labeled garments that are not big brand or trademarked, remove the labels and replace them. There is a US company that will do that label removal and replacement for you.

Meanwhile I am checking out some manufacturers in Thailand, and will let you know if I have any luck.

Regards,
Walter
Hi Greg,

I am currently teaching a Fastlane member in Thailand how to act as a sourcing agent. Once he becomes well skilled in that work I will pass on his contact details here.

Meanwhile I have given him as a project, the task of locating Thai manufacturers of women's plus size sports garments, and he quickly came back with 3 suggestions. (He is very keen.)

I have checked them out and one is a major producer with outstanding manufacturing facilities, a long track record, and with top certifications. I will PM you with the English language website details.

For the other two you would need his services as an interpreter and agent (free of charge at this stage as he is only a learner). I will send you the details of those two as well, but you might not learn a lot from what you see.

Walter
 

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Hi Greg,

I am currently teaching a Fastlane member in Thailand how to act as a sourcing agent. Once he becomes well skilled in that work I will pass on his contact details here.

Meanwhile I have given him as a project, the task of locating Thai manufacturers of women's plus size sports garments, and he quickly came back with 3 suggestions. (He is very keen.)

I have checked them out and one is a major producer with outstanding manufacturing facilities, a long track record, and with top certifications. I will PM you with the English language website details.

For the other two you would need his services as an interpreter and agent (free of charge at this stage as he is only a learner). I will send you the details of those two as well, but you might not learn a lot from what you see.

Walter
Hi Walter, What does a sourcing agent do? Are they the ones that could find me a manufacturer for customizing my product down the road? I am going to need to expand my selection in order to scale. So even though I'm not yet ready to do that, it would be a good idea to establish a relationship w/ someone like a sourcing agent in China. Is this a good idea? How would I go about it?
I know I couldn't say, "let's develop a relationship and maybe I'll pay you in the future", but perhaps there is some way to approach someone w/ that exact purpose.
Thanks, Greg
 
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Walter Hay

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Hi Walter, What does a sourcing agent do? Are they the ones that could find me a manufacturer for customizing my product down the road? I am going to need to expand my selection in order to scale. So even though I'm not yet ready to do that, it would be a good idea to establish a relationship w/ someone like a sourcing agent in China. Is this a good idea? How would I go about it?
I know I couldn't say, "let's develop a relationship and maybe I'll pay you in the future", but perhaps there is some way to approach someone w/ that exact purpose.
Thanks, Greg
Yes a sourcing agent does the legwork for you at a fee. They can negotiate or simply inquire, but they can find sources that you probably would not without help. The better you communicate with them the better they can handle the process of finding exactly what you want.

I think you might be in luck Greg. The young Thai man is willing to help you with this project free of charge.

He will be working under instructions from me and already understands the basics of sourcing from an importing point of view, but is still in the learning stages of working as a sourcing agent.

You might well be able to handle discussions with the manufacturer whose English language site I forwarded to you, but you can now have the help of a local.

Please bear in mind that to some extent you will be a guinea pig, but I will oversee the young man's work, so I don't expect any serious problems.

I will PM his details to you.

Walter
 

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Yes a sourcing agent does the legwork for you at a fee. They can negotiate or simply inquire, but they can find sources that you probably would not without help. The better you communicate with them the better they can handle the process of finding exactly what you want.

I think you might be in luck Greg. The young Thai man is willing to help you with this project free of charge.

He will be working under instructions from me and already understands the basics of sourcing from an importing point of view, but is still in the learning stages of working as a sourcing agent.

You might well be able to handle discussions with the manufacturer whose English language site I forwarded to you, but you can now have the help of a local.

Please bear in mind that to some extent you will be a guinea pig, but I will oversee the young man's work, so I don't expect any serious problems.

I will PM his details to you.

Walter
 

Walter Hay

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Hi Walter, Were you responding to the other Greg? This is Greg (LoGro).
@Wolfman Yes I was responding to the other Greg. I will use Fastlane aliases in future.

Walter
 

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Hi @Walter Hay, I've some questions:

1) I've found a couple of suppliers from Thailand for textile materials/products. However, one of them seems kinda slow and lukewarm in replying to my emails. Is this a red flag? It can take 2 - 3 days.

2) I'm not from the US (business not registered there), but I read that textile and wool products sold in the US need to have the country of origin printed somewhere on the product. I'm selling online direct to customers, no retailers etc.
I wonder, if I don't comply with that, what will the US government do to me?

3) Do you have any experience shipping products from Thailand to fulfilment warehouses in the US? I'm thinking of going by DHL and the rates seems pretty expensive.
Approx US$220++ for 26 KG of products, and the products' total cost is approx US$490. Is this normal?

Thanks!
 

Walter Hay

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Hi @Walter Hay, I've some questions:

1) I've found a couple of suppliers from Thailand for textile materials/products. However, one of them seems kinda slow and lukewarm in replying to my emails. Is this a red flag? It can take 2 - 3 days.

2) I'm not from the US (business not registered there), but I read that textile and wool products sold in the US need to have the country of origin printed somewhere on the product. I'm selling online direct to customers, no retailers etc.
I wonder, if I don't comply with that, what will the US government do to me?

3) Do you have any experience shipping products from Thailand to fulfilment warehouses in the US? I'm thinking of going by DHL and the rates seems pretty expensive.
Approx US$220++ for 26 KG of products, and the products' total cost is approx US$490. Is this normal?

Thanks!
@Xeon
1. I would not consider that to be a red flag. Thai business people tend to be more relaxed and time is not as important to them as it is to Chinese business people. Those in China will get annoyed if you try to rush them, but those in Thailand will just yawn, and take their time.

There are exceptions of course and response time from China is often several days also.

A very polite but not pushy reminder would be OK after 2 or 3 days.

2. If you don't comply, there's a good chance the goods will be seized at the border. You can have a lot of information now printed direct on the garment, and that can save cost compared to a printed or woven label stitched on. I explain the process in my labeling book.

3. That rate for door to door seems normal. If you are buying at the right price it shouldn't harm your margins too much.

Walter
 
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Xeon

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@Xeon
1. I would not consider that to be a red flag. Thai business people tend to be more relaxed and time is not as important to them as it is to Chinese business people. Those in China will get annoyed if you try to rush them, but those in Thailand will just yawn, and take their time.

There are exceptions of course and response time from China is often several days also.

A very polite but not pushy reminder would be OK after 2 or 3 days.

2. If you don't comply, there's a good chance the goods will be seized at the border. You can have a lot of information now printed direct on the garment, and that can save cost compared to a printed or woven label stitched on. I explain the process in my labeling book.

3. That rate for door to door seems normal. If you are buying at the right price it shouldn't harm your margins too much.

Walter

Thanks Walter, yes, I noticed the Thais have this take-it-slow approach to business lol

Regarding 2), I'm actually hesitant to indicate the textiles products are made in Thailand ("Made in Thailand") because south east asian countries tend to be associated with sweatshops (remember Nike factories?) and I don't want my brand to be linked to sweatshops, or have competitors using it against me.

Maybe I should add a seal / badge graphic on the label saying it's "100% Guaranteed Sweatshop Free".
 

Walter Hay

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Thanks Walter, yes, I noticed the Thais have this take-it-slow approach to business lol

Regarding 2), I'm actually hesitant to indicate the textiles products are made in Thailand ("Made in Thailand") because south east asian countries tend to be associated with sweatshops (remember Nike factories?) and I don't want my brand to be linked to sweatshops, or have competitors using it against me.

Maybe I should add a seal / badge graphic on the label saying it's "100% Guaranteed Sweatshop Free".
That seems like a good idea, but you should be able to prove it.

Walter
 

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Hello Walter,
How are you,

Finally, after reading this thread and your book(halfway through) I found a right supplier through one of their sister company. The situation here is that the executive takes 24 plus hours to respond. I think that's okay and nothing alarming. Their sampling prices are also cheap compared to others.

How do I validate that this particular supplier is a genuine one since they are not on Alibaba to check their certificates etc? Further, I have checked their client list and they also provided me a detailed catalogue even before I asked them these seem to be few signs of their business ethics which normally other low-level wholesalers or supplier don't use.

Further, I initially approached a manufacturer who is demanding me to make at least 5000 pieces at a much higher price and is ready to negotiate the price but not the MOQ. Could this be a manufacturer or a supplier/trader? While on the other hand their sister company is quite flexible with the MOQ since they are stockists and are very professional.

Any pieces of advice?
 
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Walter Hay

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Hello Walter,
How are you,

Finally, after reading this thread and your book(halfway through) I found a right supplier through one of their sister company. The situation here is that the executive takes 24 plus hours to respond. I think that's okay and nothing alarming. Their sampling prices are also cheap compared to others.

How do I validate that this particular supplier is a genuine one since they are not on Alibaba to check their certificates etc? Further, I have checked their client list and they also provided me a detailed catalogue even before I asked them these seem to be few signs of their business ethics which normally other low-level wholesalers or supplier don't use.

Further, I initially approached a manufacturer who is demanding me to make at least 5000 pieces at a much higher price and is ready to negotiate the price but not the MOQ. Could this be a manufacturer or a supplier/trader? While on the other hand their sister company is quite flexible with the MOQ since they are stockists and are very professional.

Any pieces of advice?
Half way is a little short of where you have to go in my book for an answer to the question about checking certificates. You need to read Chapter 29 CERTIFICATES, pages 70 -72.

For checking the credentials of suppliers, see Chapter 12.7 and 12.8, but I have paid access to more extensive checking facilities, so if you like to send the name to me I will gladly check them out for you.

MOQs can sometimes be determined by the price of the product. In other words for very low cost items the MOQ might be higher so that a minimum order value results that is satisfactory to the supplier. Sometimes a supplier will charge a handling fee for orders smaller than their MOQ. Provided that is not excessive it might be the way to go.

Walter
 

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Half way is a little short of where you have to go in my book for an answer to the question about checking certificates. You need to read Chapter 29 CERTIFICATES, pages 70 -72.

For checking the credentials of suppliers, see Chapter 12.7 and 12.8, but I have paid access to more extensive checking facilities, so if you like to send the name to me I will gladly check them out for you.

MOQs can sometimes be determined by the price of the product. In other words for very low cost items the MOQ might be higher so that a minimum order value results that is satisfactory to the supplier. Sometimes a supplier will charge a handling fee for orders smaller than their MOQ. Provided that is not excessive it might be the way to go.

Walter

Thanks a ton walter. Im looking forward to finishing the book by the end of this month and also finish reading this thread. I will also forward you the contact of the supplier. Everything seems fine except for the high MOQ they are asking.

There is nothing like a small quantity to test the market kind of a deal with them either you buy the whole MOQ or leave them alone kind of attitude. Are there any such policies with these huge suppliers?
 

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Thanks a ton walter. Im looking forward to finishing the book by the end of this month and also finish reading this thread. I will also forward you the contact of the supplier. Everything seems fine except for the high MOQ they are asking.

There is nothing like a small quantity to test the market kind of a deal with them either you buy the whole MOQ or leave them alone kind of attitude. Are there any such policies with these huge suppliers?
Huge companies will often have policies that are hard on smaller customers. That is usually a result of them already having a large customer base and being used to getting large orders from them.

I posted recently on this thread about a major supplier that I had who got a massive order from Disney so he effectively abandoned me. I had been giving him large numbers of orders but they were insignificant in total compared to that one big order from Disney. See the post here: GOLD - Sharing my lifetime experience in export/import. Product sourcing specialist.

I generally prefer to do business with smaller companies.

Walter
 
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Zedd9165

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Huge companies will often have policies that are hard on smaller customers. That is usually a result of them already having a large customer base and being used to getting large orders from them.

I posted recently on this thread about a major supplier that I had who got a massive order from Disney so he effectively abandoned me. I had been giving him large numbers of orders but they were insignificant in total compared to that one big order from Disney. See the post here: GOLD - Sharing my lifetime experience in export/import. Product sourcing specialist.

I generally prefer to do business with smaller companies.

Walter

Thank you walter for always being there for us. I totally understand that it is always a good thing to have a backup and not being dependent on one supplier, the moment they know this they will start playing with you.

I look forward to learning such things from you.
 

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Hi Walter, you mentioned before that one should not haggle or ask the suppliers for discounts. Is there a reason why?
 

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Hi Walter, you mentioned before that one should not haggle or ask the suppliers for discounts. Is there a reason why?
I define haggling as making counter offers way below what a supplier has quoted. That can work in the markets in HongKong or Shanghai, but is no way to do business with Chinese manufacturers.

If you have my book, read Chapter 12.10, 12.11, 12.19 regarding negotiating, and Chapters 30 and 31 dealing with price/quality issue. Obviously too much for me to post here.

In brief, you must understand the Chinese way of doing business, and your approach must be polite and sensitive. This still allows for price negotiations.

Walter
 
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WARNING ABOUT TRADE ASSURANCE

Today I replied to a post by @MoneyDoc, about his disastrous experience using Alibaba's Trade Assurance. See his thread here: For those that use Alibaba Trade Assurance.

I have posted about Trade Assurance numerous times, both here in my AMA and also in response to posts in other threads. Trade Assurance is a great example of the smoke and mirrors that you will find on almost all B2B sites, not only Alibaba.

In my book I identify the only B2B site I know that you can trust, but unfortunately it only has hundreds of thousands of suppliers listed, not millions as found on Alibaba etc.

I would recommend that any Fastlaner thinking of using Trade Assurance should do a search for my posts, not only on this thread. Here is a link to my most recent comprehensive post: GOLD - Sharing my lifetime experience in export/import. Product sourcing specialist.

Walter




 

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Hi @Walter Hay ,

Apologies if this has already been covered, but does your book discuss product modification, as well as checklist of costs to consider regarding importing ?

Thanks for the great posts.
 

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