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

[jeli1st]

Hey ddzc,
1. If you know what products are a specialty in certain countries, you will then need to find a B2B site relevant to that country, but if you just want to browse while looking for ideas, you will need to search websites for any country that has an export industry. Some of the sites that I recommend are annoying and not easy to use, particularly if you are just browsing, but once you take the time you can find some real gems in the form of unique products that are not already being sold in the US or, UK etc.

When browsing, it is best to start searching in product areas that are of interest to you, even if you may not have previously intended selling such products. At the same time you should keep your eyes open for other product categories that just might be worth looking through.

2. The sites you mention above do have some international businesses (including US companies) offering products, but they mostly have suppliers listed from China. There is another very big source that I have used extensively in the past, but I simply can't disclose online because my contacts there would not appreciate an huge influx of inquiries from newbies. It is a source that is generally only known to the big boys in importing and it was for a long time my main sourcing site. Of all the user unfriendly sites that I have encountered this one is the worst, and working your way through it is tedious, and will lead to many dead ends. I give step by step instructions in my book on how to use it, but I know that very few of my book readers actually persevere with it because it is so slow to get results.

3. A major stumbling block to getting high profit margins via Alibaba is that the vast majority of advertisers falsely claim to be manufacturers but are in fact traders or wholesalers. They add their margin to the manufacturer's price before they quote you, so away goes at least 25% of the possible margin. If you deal with real manufacturers you will get the best price, and I advise against haggling to get that best price.

The landed price I always worked on included door to door courier delivery or EMS. There were many times when the margins were way above cost X 250%. One of my franchisees once wrote to me (letter on file) "....it is nice to make that occasional $50,000 profit for 1/2 day's work." His landed cost on one such order was around $7,500, and his selling price to the single customer was just under $60,000. I can quote him because I can prove it to the FTC, but I can't quote my own figures without opening up my tax returns from my business that I sold a few years ago.

The main tactics are:

• Find a product that is not already being sold in your country. You may need to look past the big advertisers and look for the small businesses. Or you may need to look in places other than China.
  
• Communicate slowly, slowly, with a small manufacturer until you build a rapport.
• Remember that you are an unknown quantity to them, just as they are to you. Build trust.
  
• Avoid allowing price to be the main point of discussion in the early stages.
• Don't ask MOQ. Wait until they tell you. Then request a quote on that quantity.
• Tell them you would like to place a trial order for x amount. (X = MOQ ÷ 5 or 10) and request quote. Single samples may be necessary first if the unit price is high.
  

Hey Walter,
i am slowly going trough your thread and writing everything important out. It might be the case that you've already answered a question similiar to mine later on in this thread.
You mentioned a couple of times that you should communicate slowly with the manufacturer to build rapport before ordering. So what are some things to talk about/ask them? Just general smalltalk about their company? How do you build rapport with the manufacturer?

jeli1st

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Walter Hay]

Hey Walter,
i am slowly going trough your thread and writing everything important out. It might be the case that you've already answered a question similiar to mine later on in this thread.
You mentioned a couple of times that you should communicate slowly with the manufacturer to build rapport before ordering. So what are some things to talk about/ask them? Just general smalltalk about their company? How do you build rapport with the manufacturer?

jeli1st

Don't ask them too much about their company, because that might make them feel uncomfortable. You can say things such as how impressed you are with their product range, or even how easy it is to use their website. (If it is.)

Thank them for their helpful manner, or for their prompt responses. If a Chinese holiday or festival is about the time you are communicating with them, wish them a happy time.

You can tell them about your family, but make it brief. Family is important to them, so you could ask them if they have a child, if so boy or girl. Don't ask if they have children plural.

When I refer to communicating slowly, slowly, I mean that it is important to not rush to get every detail at once. Chinese business people tend to move slowly to make important decisions.

Walter

 

[mom]

INTRODUCTION.
Through my eBook on safe sourcing and easy importing I have helped hundreds of people in 35 countries learn how to enter the high profit world of importing. Their questions through my support channel provide the subject matter for alt of what I plan on posting here.

There are myths and misinformation in abundance on forums everywhere. I am here to dispel those myths and correct the misinformation that I see being published daily in business forums.

A bold claim? Yes, but all you need do is ask me some questions about sourcing and importing and you will soon find that because I have been there – done that for most of my long life, I do actually know what I am talking about.

Disclaimer: I do not pretend to be expert at online marketing. There are plenty of others who have far more experience than I in that field. I am well on my way through reading all 40 pages of Ecom man’s thread, but I already see that he can offer some good advice on the product selling side.

I have been self-employed since 1967, and I started with just enough cash to buy a typewriter and some letterheads. My first job after college was with a big shipping company. Eleven years after I started that first business in 1967 I began exporting my products to Asia/Pacific countries including China which I have visited on countless occasions.

After selling that business in 1987 I began importing from countries including China, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Brazil. This new business sold products B2B. I had no retail sales. Business boomed and soon I ran out of family members to employ, so I expanded by selling franchises until I had franchisees operating my importing business in 4 countries.

Heart surgery a few years ago forced me to sell that business but my brain won’t slow down so I wrote my book and am now having more fun than ever helping new entrepreneurs get a safe start into importing.

Fire away with your questions.

do you have any experience in bulk commodities?

 

[Walter Hay]

do you have any experience in bulk commodities?

My experience in bulk commodities is from way back, and things have changed a lot since I was involved in the shipping industry. Most of the principles would still apply, but depending on which commodity you are considering, the regulations might be very different now.

If you have any specific questions I will do my best to help.

Walter

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[jeli1st]

Don't ask them too much about their company, because that might make them feel uncomfortable. You can say things such as how impressed you are with their product range, or even how easy it is to use their website. (If it is.)

Thank them for their helpful manner, or for their prompt responses. If a Chinese holiday or festival is about the time you are communicating with them, wish them a happy time.

You can tell them about your family, but make it brief. Family is important to them, so you could ask them if they have a child, if so boy or girl. Don't ask if they have children plural.

When I refer to communicating slowly, slowly, I mean that it is important to not rush to get every detail at once. Chinese business people tend to move slowly to make important decisions.

Walter

Thank you for your valuable information Walter!

jeli1st

 

[Vincent_Vega]

Hey @Walter Hay,

just a quick question.

Did you ever manage to get the deposit of your first order back from the supplier when you didn't think that this whole thing will work out? If yes, how did you address this topic?

Thank you for your continuous help.

Best Regards,
V

 

[Walter Hay]

Hey @Walter Hay,

just a quick question.

Did you ever manage to get the deposit of your first order back from the supplier when you didn't think that this whole thing will work out? If yes, how did you address this topic?

Thank you for your continuous help.

Best Regards,
V

I never had to do that, but I think that in most cases it would be difficult to succeed. There are some good reasons (in the Chinese way of thinking) for requiring a deposit.

The main one is that they very often don't carry raw materials needed to make your order. I know that reason is not genuine in many cases, because I have been in a huge number of factories in China where they have a warehouse full of materials they need in readiness to manufacture generic or even OEM products.

Despite that, the system is entrenched in the Chinese approach to their export customers. They will rarely get away with it when selling to Chinese customers.

One indisputable reason is if they have to put your brand on the product. In that case they have no way of selling the goods if you cancel the order, unless they sell to an unscrupulous buyer.

Walter

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Vincent_Vega]

I never had to do that, but I think that in most cases it would be difficult to succeed. There are some good reasons (in the Chinese way of thinking) for requiring a deposit.

The main one is that they very often don't carry raw materials needed to make your order. I know that reason is not genuine in many cases, because I have been in a huge number of factories in China where they have a warehouse full of materials they need in readiness to manufacture generic or even OEM products.

Despite that, the system is entrenched in the Chinese approach to their export customers. They will rarely get away with it when selling to Chinese customers.

One indisputable reason is if they have to put your brand on the product. In that case they have no way of selling the goods if you cancel the order, unless they sell to an unscrupulous buyer.

Walter

First of all, thank you for your answer.

And if the mass production hasn't started yet? They didn't pay for material and stuff, so they could refund me the money. Do you think this could work?

 

[Walter Hay]

First of all, thank you for your answer.

And if the mass production hasn't started yet? They didn't pay for material and stuff, so they could refund me the money. Do you think this could work?

I think you will find that they will work out some excuse. Maybe they will say that they bought the materials as soon as you placed your order, and they can't be returned.

That might well be true, even though they will probably use them for someone else's order sooner or later.

Sorry to seem negative, but I know the Chinese way of thinking and I don't like your chances.

Walter

 

[exporttoberlin]

Hi Walter / readers

I am British, currently live in Berlin. I am in the process of setting up EXPORTS for vehicles and machinery, as an agent to begin with. I have basic German literacy and pretty new to the system as well. I know the British system of business operations and some contacts in order to start a solid foundation as well as banking and taxation laws are very familiar to me. However, manufacturing firms and automotive industries are heavily based in Germany and is a huge advantage for me to establish myself ahead in the game. So let me fire away some doubts I have :

1. From your own experience where do you think I am better of setting up my office and banking?

2. If I was to set up in UK for example and then have a website operating and saying based in German with a German telephone contact for calls and fax, would that make things complicated?

3. Where should I first begin, by getting the domestic contacts under the belt and then going to look for the clients or the other way round?

4. Should i have myself pointed on the website as an agent/ broker or some sort as I will be the middleman to source vehicles for client specific vehicles and machinery? What is the best way to go about this please?

I do not want to over load with many questions so I may come back later with more doubts, appreciate your big help.

best regards

Turan

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[exporttoberlin]

#

 

[Walter Hay]

Hi Walter / readers

I am British, currently live in Berlin. I am in the process of setting up EXPORTS for vehicles and machinery, as an agent to begin with. I have basic German literacy and pretty new to the system as well. I know the British system of business operations and some contacts in order to start a solid foundation as well as banking and taxation laws are very familiar to me. However, manufacturing firms and automotive industries are heavily based in Germany and is a huge advantage for me to establish myself ahead in the game. So let me fire away some doubts I have :

1. From your own experience where do you think I am better of setting up my office and banking?

2. If I was to set up in UK for example and then have a website operating and saying based in German with a German telephone contact for calls and fax, would that make things complicated?

3. Where should I first begin, by getting the domestic contacts under the belt and then going to look for the clients or the other way round?

4. Should i have myself pointed on the website as an agent/ broker or some sort as I will be the middleman to source vehicles for client specific vehicles and machinery? What is the best way to go about this please?

I do not want to over load with many questions so I may come back later with more doubts, appreciate your big help.

best regards

Turan

You have chosen a business model that is not an easy path to success, but if you know the industry well, it is possible to succeed.

There are businesses operating in your chosen field, and my first suggestion would be to research how they operate. It might even pay to approach one or two as a potential customer in order to find out how they function, and also their attitude to customer service.

I have answered your PM in detail, so I won't post that response here. Not many people take the exporting path. With my experience in both exporting and importing, I would choose importing if starting again.

Walter

 

[exclusives88]

Hi Walter,

I always try to use paypal to pay for samples and first production run. However, this company I am talking to do not have a paypal account. They mentioned to use Alibaba Secure Payment. Is this safe? (sorry if this has been covered buried in the thread)

Thanks!

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Walter Hay]

Hi Walter,

I always try to use paypal to pay for samples and first production run. However, this company I am talking to do not have a paypal account. They mentioned to use Alibaba Secure Payment. Is this safe? (sorry if this has been covered buried in the thread)

Thanks!

Secure Payment just like their old escrow system, is full of loopholes. Few people bother reading the fine print, but I am one of the few that do. I can tell you that the fine print contains contradictions and is missing information that is very important to buyers.

The biggest problem is the time limit. If you are lucky enough to find a real manufacturer on Alibaba you might think you are protected, but remember to read Alibaba's fine print regarding their Secure Payment service. It has a short time limit for you to lodge a dispute and many suppliers are expert at procrastinating until that time limit runs out.

The way some suppliers work the system is to respond positively and appear to be very helpful when you make a complaint. They procrastinate, all the while giving you the impression that they will give you a refund. When you finally tire of the delays and the confusion, you escalate the dispute.

That is when you find that you have passed the deadline and Alibaba won't accept your claim.

There are other problems, such as the risk of refusal of your claim if you sign for a parcel and it contains wood shavings, newspaper, or maybe an empty plastic casing instead of the phone you ordered.

Don't forget the huge cost of returning any faulty product. Suppliers on Alibaba will invariably require that before they will issue a refund. That is one of the many ways they manage to avoid refunding money.

If they will accept escrow.com that is about as safe as you can get, but those who will accept it will usually only do so if you pay the fees. If the value is high enough use an L/C. It is very difficult for suppliers to defraud you if you pay that way. It can be done, but is usually only done on very big value shipments.

Walter

 

[ZeroTo100]

Hey Walter,

I'm currently looking at a few manufacturers for a type of product I'm interested in importing.

I've checked the assessment records and many of the companies I looked at have the box checked "manufacturer and trade company." This may sound like a stupid question but is that something to stay away from? Or Does that mean that they have their own inhouse team of traders?

I have not sent any messages yet but I've been reading through this thread daily taking screen shots for notes. I'm trying to apply what I'm reading.

Thanks
Steve

 

[Walter Hay]

Hey Walter,

I'm currently looking at a few manufacturers for a type of product I'm interested in importing.

I've checked the assessment records and many of the companies I looked at have the box checked "manufacturer and trade company." This may sound like a stupid question but is that something to stay away from? Or Does that mean that they have their own inhouse team of traders?

I have not sent any messages yet but I've been reading through this thread daily taking screen shots for notes. I'm trying to apply what I'm reading.

Thanks
Steve

Hi Steve,

Many Chinese businesses are traders as well as being manufacturers. At least you know they are reasonably honest when they disclose that fact. You need to see if they are manufacturing the product you are interested in.

The ones to steer clear of are the ones who say they are manufacturers and are not. That applies to a large % of the "manufacturers" listed on Alibaba and other big sites.

Just as in western countries, manufacturers rarely make everything from start to finish. A lot of them are in effect assemblers of components that they buy from other sources. These can be legitimately described as manufacturers. Traders are the ones who buy completed products from the real manufacturer or assembler, and sell at a marked up price.

Walter

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[ZeroTo100]

Hi Steve,

Many Chinese businesses are traders as well as being manufacturers. At least you know they are reasonably honest when they disclose that fact. You need to see if they are manufacturing the product you are interested in.

The ones to steer clear of are the ones who say they are manufacturers and are not. That applies to a large % of the "manufacturers" listed on Alibaba and other big sites.

Just as in western countries, manufacturers rarely make everything from start to finish. A lot of them are in effect assemblers of components that they buy from other sources. These can be legitimately described as manufacturers. Traders are the ones who buy completed products from the real manufacturer or assembler, and sell at a marked up price.

Walter

Thank you walter...I noticed some of the records say Business Type with check boxes as to whether they are a Trader, Manufacturer, or both and some of the other companies don't have that. Why is that?

I also noticed that some of the the sheets say lease agreement / factory officer claimed. What does that mean?

Thanks again.

 

[Walter Hay]

Thank you walter...I noticed some of the records say Business Type with check boxes as to whether they are a Trader, Manufacturer, or both and some of the other companies don't have that. Why is that?

I also noticed that some of the the sheets say lease agreement / factory officer claimed. What does that mean?

Thanks again.

The supplier has to pay for the inspection/ audit and some choose to have a less than complete audit.

That doesn't mean they are suspect, it just leaves you with less information on which to make your choice of potential suppliers. It's false economy IMO because with less information, buyers are less likely to contact them.

Many factories are leased. There are a lot of Chinese factories in multi story buildings rather like apartment blocks, and businesses lease an apartment. I have been to some where they have installed a huge amount of production machinery many floors above the ground.

The person nominated as factory officer would usually be the production manager.

Walter

 

[Bigguns50]

Hi Walter ! Big fan here !

I've decided to order your book and am very much looking forward to learning from it.

I've contacted 4 "Manufacturers" in China and asked if they send free samples. Below are 2 responses.
The product is lightweight....I'd estimate with packaging maybe 2lbs at the most. Not electronic or fragile...and cheap, retailing on Amazon for about $20, depending on quantity.

My thoughts are...DON'T pay in advance. Get a quote from .. ? .. in writing. Method of payment ?.... not sure. Currier ? ... Also not sure.

Is it true the Chinese Government subsidises shipping for Chinese companies ? Just curious.

Thank you in advance !

"Hi Scott
Dear Scott,

Yes, we can send you samples.

But can you please help us pay for the courier fee?


Best Regards,
Joyce"

"
"Hi Scott
Hi Scott

Thanks for your inquiry.

We can provide samples free of charge. However, the shipping is to be handled by your side. Please provide your company courier account number and we will arrange the shipment. If you do not have courier account number, we can give you the estimated cost and you can make payment to us first. Please let me know which way is better for you.

Looking forward to your confirmation.

Thank you,
Betty"

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Walter Hay]

Hi Walter ! Big fan here !

I've decided to order your book and am very much looking forward to learning from it.

I've contacted 4 "Manufacturers" in China and asked if they send free samples. Below are 2 responses.
The product is lightweight....I'd estimate with packaging maybe 2lbs at the most. Not electronic or fragile...and cheap, retailing on Amazon for about $20, depending on quantity.

My thoughts are...DON'T pay in advance. Get a quote from .. ? .. in writing. Method of payment ?.... not sure. Currier ? ... Also not sure.

Is it true the Chinese Government subsidises shipping for Chinese companies ? Just curious.

Thank you in advance !

"Hi Scott
Dear Scott,

Yes, we can send you samples.

But can you please help us pay for the courier fee?


Best Regards,
Joyce"

"
"Hi Scott
Hi Scott

Thanks for your inquiry.

We can provide samples free of charge. However, the shipping is to be handled by your side. Please provide your company courier account number and we will arrange the shipment. If you do not have courier account number, we can give you the estimated cost and you can make payment to us first. Please let me know which way is better for you.

Looking forward to your confirmation.

Thank you,
Betty"

Hi Scott,

You will have to pay in advance for the sample shipping. If possible, get them to use China Post EMS, or lower cost China Post airmail with tracking, or HK Post Express. Never give them your courier account details unless you have a written quote from your courier for all inclusive door to door delivery.

First, ask the suppliers to quote for delivery. They will often get better prices for courier services than you can get, but it is also common for them to grossly overcharge for that, so you need to check quotes.

Walter

 

[Bigguns50]

Hi Scott,

You will have to pay in advance for the sample shipping. If possible, get them to use China Post EMS, or lower cost China Post airmail with tracking, or HK Post Express. Never give them your courier account details unless you have a written quote from your courier for all inclusive door to door delivery.

First, ask the suppliers to quote for delivery. They will often get better prices for courier services than you can get, but it is also common for them to grossly overcharge for that, so you need to check quotes.

Walter

Thanks Walter ! Downloaded and reading your book now.

 

[Walter Hay]

Thanks Walter ! Downloaded and reading your book now.

Thanks Scott. I hope it makes a difference to your life.

Walter

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[PeterAL]

Hello to all the fellow Fastlaners,

This is my first post. Thanks to everyone who make this forum what it is.

I'd like to get Walters take on a recent importing experience I had and hopefully help some fastlaners out in the process.

First I'd like to say thanks to Walter for sharing his knowledge. I have purchased his book and it has been extremely helpful. Thank you Walter.

I contacted a Chinese manufacturer threw one of Walters recommended channels. Their website was professional and displayed all of their ISO9001 and SGS certifications (I'm assuming they are legit). I started an email correspondence with them and was quoted a good price for their product. Everything went just like Walter said: I asked for samples, they inquired about my courtier account #, I said I was quoted too high a price and asked for a prepaid package, they agreed and I got a much better price. I sent them my shipping information etc and I forwarded them the funds threw paypal ($31.50) which they say were received. This is where the problems start.

They keep emailing me telling me they need my telephone number in order to send the package (I'm starting to get skeptical at this point). I send my telephone number and ask if the package was sent. Again they tell me they need my telephone number (they start to address me as "dear" at this point) telling me that the courier needs it and they will be contacting me after the goods are delivered at my address.

I guess I'm going to chalk this one up to a loss. It was just 30 bucks so ill obviously live to fight another day. Even if they ship the package now I'd be way too skeptical to place a large order.

Is there anything I can say to them?

Is it possible that this manufacturer is legit but somehow found out I am an amateur and decided to see if they can scam me?

Walter, if you could PM me I would be very grateful. I can give you some information about the company and maybe you can tell me if they are legit.

Thank you

 

[Walter Hay]

Hello to all the fellow Fastlaners,

This is my first post. Thanks to everyone who make this forum what it is.

I'd like to get Walters take on a recent importing experience I had and hopefully help some fastlaners out in the process.

First I'd like to say thanks to Walter for sharing his knowledge. I have purchased his book and it has been extremely helpful. Thank you Walter.

I contacted a Chinese manufacturer threw one of Walters recommended channels. Their website was professional and displayed all of their ISO9001 and SGS certifications (I'm assuming they are legit). I started an email correspondence with them and was quoted a good price for their product. Everything went just like Walter said: I asked for samples, they inquired about my courtier account #, I said I was quoted too high a price and asked for a prepaid package, they agreed and I got a much better price. I sent them my shipping information etc and I forwarded them the funds threw paypal ($31.50) which they say were received. This is where the problems start.

They keep emailing me telling me they need my telephone number in order to send the package (I'm starting to get skeptical at this point). I send my telephone number and ask if the package was sent. Again they tell me they need my telephone number (they start to address me as "dear" at this point) telling me that the courier needs it and they will be contacting me after the goods are delivered at my address.

I guess I'm going to chalk this one up to a loss. It was just 30 bucks so ill obviously live to fight another day. Even if they ship the package now I'd be way too skeptical to place a large order.

Is there anything I can say to them?

Is it possible that this manufacturer is legit but somehow found out I am an amateur and decided to see if they can scam me?

Walter, if you could PM me I would be very grateful. I can give you some information about the company and maybe you can tell me if they are legit.

Thank you

Peter, I wouldn't give up on them just yet. It is normal practice to ask for your phone number because the couriers and even the postal service often want it to contact you before delivery.

The presence of certificates on a site is not sufficient proof that those certificates are genuine. If they have been checked by a reputable inspection service such as SGS, TUV etc., then you can be sure.

I will PM you as soon as I finish this post.

Walter

 

[PeterAL]

Peter, I wouldn't give up on them just yet. It is normal practice to ask for your phone number because the couriers and even the postal service often want it to contact you before delivery.

The presence of certificates on a site is not sufficient proof that those certificates are genuine. If they have been checked by a reputable inspection service such as SGS, TUV etc., then you can be sure.

I will PM you as soon as I finish this post.

Walter

Thanks Walter. I was not aware they would potentially do that. This was a huge help.

Peter

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Walter Hay]

Thanks Walter. I was not aware they would potentially do that. This was a huge help.

Peter

The company you name is very well established and they check out very well. It is likely that the delay in sending the sample is simply due to the bureaucratic nature of the very big business.

You could give them a polite reminder if they have not yet given you a tracking number for the sample. Patience is a virtue when dealing with Chinese suppliers. If you try to rush them to go at your pace that could be enough to make them decide they don't want to deal with you.

Walter

 

[PeterAL]

Walter,

I was hoping to get your opinion on the idea of contacting a manufacturer and what it means for them to do business with you.

--Are there any circumstances where buyers have to compete for the services of a competent manufacturer?

--In general, do manufacturers do homework on a buyer like we would on them?

--Do you have any suggestions as to what makes a buyer appealing to a manufacturer?

I only ask all this because despite my professional inquiries(website, email associated with domain, company logo, fax number, etc.) , my response rate is quite low.

Thank you

Peter

 

[Wisith]

Just want to share my recent experience:

A seller emailed me with items they have for sale that's in the same niche I'm specialized in. I always build rapport before sending money and use my gut instinct.

The person said he found my email on Globalsource. I asked for a catalog and his website. He said it's not finished and the site is in Chinese so I wouldn't be able to understand. He sent me an invoice for a sample product. Everything looks Ok except his Paypal address is his personal, Foxmail.

I got really suspicious and got in touch with Walter to see if he knows he company and their reputation. Walter confirmed what I thought, that the company was a shady one who wants to make a quick buck.

I never replied to the email and the seller emails me nearly daily until I told him my boss didn't want to buy the sample. (I had given myself a manager position on paper).


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Walter Hay]

Walter,

I was hoping to get your opinion on the idea of contacting a manufacturer and what it means for them to do business with you.

1. --Are there any circumstances where buyers have to compete for the services of a competent manufacturer?

2. --In general, do manufacturers do homework on a buyer like we would on them?

3. --Do you have any suggestions as to what makes a buyer appealing to a manufacturer?

I only ask all this because despite my professional inquiries(website, email associated with domain, company logo, fax number, etc.) , my response rate is quite low.

Thank you

Peter

Hi Peter, I have numbered your questions.

1. As a general rule, all suppliers want more customers. In a way though, buyers are often competing for manufacturers to serve them, but primarily in the way they are perceived by the supplier. This is why that first contact is so important. If you come across as a novice, they will often be inclined to either not bother with your inquiry, or else they will try to take advantage of you. If you haven't already, I suggest you start again and use the first contact email format in my book. The same format with small modifications can be used for inquiries through B2B sites. If you have used my format, maybe you would like to send a copy to me via PM for critical comment.
2. It is unusual for suppliers to do much by way of research on prospective customers. If they can look at your website and find out what products you are handling, and your selling prices, they will certainly do that. I would prefer to not disclose my website information, because that can be like telling a car salesman how much you are willing to spend.
3. It helps if you show that you know something about their company and their products. Think like a seller, not like a buyer. Put yourself in tyheir position, knowing that they receive a huge volume of inquiries. That will help you avoid asking questions that they would see as pointless or just as fluff.

Walter

 

[Andygala]

Walter,
I have been reading a lot of your posts and I got interest in buying your book and read it before my first importing experience. My only concern is that most of your content is China related. I am interested in importing from other countries, does your book still applies for other continents as well? Is there any FBA info found in your book?

Thanks,