The Entrepreneur Forum | Financial Freedom | Starting a Business | Motivation | Money | Success

Welcome to the only entrepreneur forum dedicated to building life-changing wealth.

Build a Fastlane business. Earn real financial freedom. Join free.

Join over 80,000 entrepreneurs who have rejected the paradigm of mediocrity and said "NO!" to underpaid jobs, ascetic frugality, and suffocating savings rituals— learn how to build a Fastlane business that pays both freedom and lifestyle affluence.

Free registration at the forum removes this block.

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

Shamrox

Bronze Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
620%
Jan 16, 2017
30
186
37
United Kingdom
I really need more specific information, but as a general rule, you should know that air courier rates are highly negotiable. Discounts of 50% on schedule rates are common, and for frequent shipments it can be even more.

Ask various air couriers to quote you, but to get the ebst rates you will need to open and account.

Just as a hypothetical answer relating to larger shipments, a 100kg shipment door to door from Swindon Oxon, to Charlotte NC could cost about $800 for delivery within 4 days, or $600 for delivery within a week, including the customs clearance fee. Duty and taxes are additional if applicable.

It is sometimes possible to get lower cost air freight as opposed to air courier services, but to be safe you must get quotes covering all costs door to door. You must inform them that you are not requesting air courier rates. To get quotes I suggest you contact freight forwarders in the US not in the UK. As a rule. UK forwarders will quote much higher.

Walter

Thanks Walter. This gives me plenty to think about. i will make some calls and negotiate a better rate. Much appreciated!
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Walter Hay

Legendary Contributor
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
401%
Sep 13, 2014
3,318
13,305
World citizen
I think I can do this here :)

1. I only need the mold for the new part on the end. This is a common product with a lot of manufacturers (or... at least... they're not scarce/hard to source)

2. Plastic

3. The part is a plastic ring, no more than 3" in diameter, an inch or so in depth & very thin thickness -maybe 1/16th of an inch? (need to measure)

For the mold, I'm getting quotes both domestically & abroad and I figured as much with what you posted above in regards, to ownership. While I would love to have a fully finished product sent to my door, I'm wondering if I'm going to need to "assemble" things myself at first before sending them off to Amazon.... I'll pm you when I put together an organized message, thank you, Walter! :)
This makes it a lot easier.

1. A single cavity injection mold for a small item like that, assuming the plastic is a thermoplastic could cost as little as $2,000 in China and $8,000 in the USA.

2. Various plastics have very different technical requirements when it comes to molds, so costs can vary substantially.

3. The good news is that the item cost should be a no more than a few cents.

When the matter of assembly arises, I always favor using the services of workshops employing physically or mentally challenged people. I have used them extensively with excellent results. The workers are usually far more diligent than ones employed on a strictly commercial basis. They really want to please.

Walter
EDIT. Regarding making a prototype, it might be possible to laser cut or machine one or two pieces for you to test the concept.
 
Last edited:

Roli

Platinum Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
160%
Jun 3, 2015
2,061
3,301
Hi Walter,

I am sourcing a product at the moment that often seems to have the choice to box or blister pack. I think blister packing looks better, however I was wondering if there are any cost; or even any other implications that I might not have thought about?
 

Walter Hay

Legendary Contributor
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
401%
Sep 13, 2014
3,318
13,305
World citizen
Hi Walter,

I am sourcing a product at the moment that often seems to have the choice to box or blister pack. I think blister packing looks better, however I was wondering if there are any cost; or even any other implications that I might not have thought about?
Any retail packaging will cost extra, but it is often very much cheaper than having the items packed locally.

Even so, you need to take into account the extra freight cost resulting from the added weight of the packaging. In the case of a box, the freight cost can be substantially increased because of the larger size. Size is as important as weight when working out freight costs.

Boxes are also subject to a high risk of transit damage unless the outer packaging is very strong. Chinese suppliers often fail to provide packaging good enough to make sure that the goods arrive undamaged.

Another consideration is the advertising value in using a box. If you intend private labeling, a box gives you a better opportunity to incorporate effective branding.

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

Drew D

Bronze Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
205%
Feb 16, 2017
77
158
27
Canada, ON
What's your opinion on competing in oversaturated markets when importing from China? It's pretty much impossible to find an in demand niche that has little to no competition.

For example, say someones niche was leather goods (wallets, belts) or maybe clothing, pillows etc. Would you recommend they risk trying it out and seeing if they can compete?

I need to take action, but like most I'm stuck on the hard part of the importing/exporting ecommerce business, actually picking a product. Should I just pick something, order maybe a couple hundred to a thousand dollars worth and see if I can profit? The problem with this is it may work in the short term, but not long term and will result in having to keep picking a new niche often in order to stay in the business, as opposed to picking one good niche and having it profit over the long term and turning it into a full fledged company.

Need to order your book soon. I know most of the questions in this thread including mine are most likely answered there. (Only read the first few pages of the thread. If this was answered already I'll read through and look for it).
 

Roli

Platinum Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
160%
Jun 3, 2015
2,061
3,301
Should I just pick something, order maybe a couple hundred to a thousand dollars worth and see if I can profit?

Good God no!

Find out if it sells first; via adwords, Amazon & Facebook ads. Keyword Planner et al. Then once you know how people are searching for the product, then get it in and sell it. Takes longer, but guaranteed sales at the end of it; or of course, you find out the market is absolutely rubbish and move onto something else; having spent a hell of a lot less than a couple of hundred thousand dollars. :)
 

Roli

Platinum Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
160%
Jun 3, 2015
2,061
3,301
Any retail packaging will cost extra, but it is often very much cheaper than having the items packed locally.

Even so, you need to take into account the extra freight cost resulting from the added weight of the packaging. In the case of a box, the freight cost can be substantially increased because of the larger size. Size is as important as weight when working out freight costs.

Boxes are also subject to a high risk of transit damage unless the outer packaging is very strong. Chinese suppliers often fail to provide packaging good enough to make sure that the goods arrive undamaged.

Another consideration is the advertising value in using a box. If you intend private labeling, a box gives you a better opportunity to incorporate effective branding.

Walter

Great stuff Walter; I think blister is good for me for now; because I don't think I'm going to private label to start with (still ho humming about that) and the extra strength of blister is a big bonus.

Decisions, decisions, thanks Walter.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Drew D

Bronze Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
205%
Feb 16, 2017
77
158
27
Canada, ON
Good God no!

Find out if it sells first; via adwords, Amazon & Facebook ads. Keyword Planner et al. Then once you know how people are searching for the product, then get it in and sell it. Takes longer, but guaranteed sales at the end of it; or of course, you find out the market is absolutely rubbish and move onto something else; having spent a hell of a lot less than a couple of hundred thousand dollars. :)
http://i.imgur.com/2JrU4f6.gif
 

amp0193

Legendary Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
444%
May 27, 2013
3,637
16,157
United States
It's pretty much impossible to find an in demand niche that has little to no competition.

My new brand is launching a product soon, with 0 competing listings on Amazon, and only a couple of small competitors in the U.S. selling through B&M. There is enough demand to make it worth selling.

I have a friend who has launched new products in the fitness space, that didn't exist before. They are in demand, and he has little to no competition.

For example, say someones niche was leather goods (wallets, belts) or maybe clothing, pillows etc. Would you recommend they risk trying it out and seeing if they can compete?

You have to have a unique angle, or product improvement. Mattresses are a unique and high competition product, but that didn't stop Casper from coming in and taking over. Same with MyPillow. Just trying to sell a pillow won't get you anywhere. I can go to Wal Mart for "just a pillow".

Picking one good niche and having it profit over the long term and turning it into a full fledged company.

Do this. Don't think one product at a time. Think niches. Ranges of products. How do the long-term possibilities look?

Need to order your book soon. If this was answered already I'll read through and look for it).

His book will tell you how to import. It won't tell you what to import.
 

Drew D

Bronze Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
205%
Feb 16, 2017
77
158
27
Canada, ON
His book will tell you how to import. It won't tell you what to import.
Thanks for your post.

I meant the thread. I'm buying his book regardless, but if my question was already answered in the thread I'll look through all the pages or find it in the search bar. I know finding a niche is not in the book. :p
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Walter Hay

Legendary Contributor
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
401%
Sep 13, 2014
3,318
13,305
World citizen
Thanks to those who have contributed to this exchange. I have always found that talking something over with someone, even if they don't quite follow my reasoning can be very helpful.

I have sent Drew a PM that might help him in relation to choosing a niche. My book doesn't go into that subject in any detail because I prefer to leave it to those more expert than I am. What I do write about is how to find products that are not currently on the market in your country.

I am not alone in recommending searching for products not yet being imported, Vigilante does likewise. There is still the need to satisfy yourself that there is a demand. There's no point finding something that looks amazing to you, and only gets yawns when you advertise it for sale.

I agree with Roli that there's no future in starting off with high stakes. You need to have a good idea of the marketability of your product before you import any sizeable quantity. If you think you have found a winner, import a very small quantity, (that's after first importing a sample for quality testing,) and put that small quantity on the market for market testing.

Walter
 

Roli

Platinum Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
160%
Jun 3, 2015
2,061
3,301
You need to have a good idea of the marketability of your product before you import any sizeable quantity. If you think you have found a winner, import a very small quantity, (that's after first importing a sample for quality testing,) and put that small quantity on the market for market testing.

Walter

EDIT: Just found that CIF is to your home port; so no worries there. Just the others please.

That's the stage I'm at now; I have just been sent a quote for various products on an excel sheet. Everything is great; very precise and clear as to what it's quoting. Just a couple of things though; for a couple of the products there is a term used is CIF and then a dollar figure; which is different (higher) than the FOB China figure. So I'm just wondering what that is?

So for example

FOB China $1.50
Item numbers xxxxxx
Packge xxxxxx
Colour xxxxxx
Case Pack xxxxxx
Carton Size xxxxxx
Material xxxxxx
Unit Weight xxxxxx
N.W./G.W. xxxxxx
Remark CIF 2.15USD

Second question; or rather confirmation request for my thoughts. I'm going to ask them what FOB China actually means and if they mean EXW instead. Or is FOB China used when quoting for samples?

Lastly what is the difference between net weight and gross weight in relation to case weight? I get it for the units, because you have a weight with and without packaging. But surely the case weight stays consistent doesn't it?
 
Last edited:

malindi

Contributor
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
238%
Feb 19, 2017
21
50
44
Sydney
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.

Hi Walter,

So generous of you to share your experience on here, thank you.

I am actually looking to source a printer in China who prints on metallic BOPP film for our packaging for our chocolate products. Digital printing in Australia is pretty steep, and I have heard of other businesses getting a better deal in China. But I am also aware that I want to work with a company that doesn't engage in slave labour in any way. Do you know of any good companies we could approach?

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

Walter Hay

Legendary Contributor
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
401%
Sep 13, 2014
3,318
13,305
World citizen
EDIT: Just found that CIF is to your home port; so no worries there. Just the others please.

That's the stage I'm at now; I have just been sent a quote for various products on an excel sheet. Everything is great; very precise and clear as to what it's quoting. Just a couple of things though; for a couple of the products there is a term used is CIF and then a dollar figure; which is different (higher) than the FOB China figure. So I'm just wondering what that is?

So for example

FOB China $1.50
Item numbers xxxxxx
Packge xxxxxx
Colour xxxxxx
Case Pack xxxxxx
Carton Size xxxxxx
Material xxxxxx
Unit Weight xxxxxx
N.W./G.W. xxxxxx
Remark CIF 2.15USD

Second question; or rather confirmation request for my thoughts. I'm going to ask them what FOB China actually means and if they mean EXW instead. Or is FOB China used when quoting for samples?

Lastly what is the difference between net weight and gross weight in relation to case weight? I get it for the units, because you have a weight with and without packaging. But surely the case weight stays consistent doesn't it?
First, regarding your edit: CIF not only includes freight to your destination port, but also insurance. In addition to duty and tax, there could be additional charges at your end, including Customs clearance work, and delivery to your address. If the shipment is by sea freight there could be a lot more also. If shipping by sea you should get a quote from a local freight forwarder including all possible charges.

Quoting FOB is almost the universal practice in China, whether for samples or large orders. FOB China is a vague term. They should specify which port, so for example it might read FOB Guangzhou. Unless they state the port, there is a risk that they are quoting FOB their factory which is in effect EXW. Either way, if you accept FOB or EXW, you need a quote from a local freight forwarder, preferably in a location near you.

Net weight is only academic, being for the contents only, as you know. What is important is the gross weight, and also, if the contents are bulky, the dimensions and quantity of the outer packages. This allows calculation of volumetric weight which is a freight jargon term whereby volume is converted to a "weight" for the purpose of calculating the freight cost.

Walter
 

Walter Hay

Legendary Contributor
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
401%
Sep 13, 2014
3,318
13,305
World citizen
Hi Walter,

So generous of you to share your experience on here, thank you.

I am actually looking to source a printer in China who prints on metallic BOPP film for our packaging for our chocolate products. Digital printing in Australia is pretty steep, and I have heard of other businesses getting a better deal in China. But I am also aware that I want to work with a company that doesn't engage in slave labour in any way. Do you know of any good companies we could approach?

Thank you!
The reality is that although indentured labor is still in existence in some places, the Chinese government is clamping down on the practice.

Over many years of visiting Chinese factories I have seen vast improvements in workers' conditions, and i have written on this subject previously because it is of interest and concern to many readers.

I can't recommend any company in particular, but there are numerous well accredited printers in China who could meet your needs. You can find them by searching on B2B sites, but I suggest you do a quick read though this thread to get some guidance on how to sort the good from the bad.

Let me know if you encounter any difficulties.

Walter
 

Roli

Platinum Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
160%
Jun 3, 2015
2,061
3,301
First, regarding your edit: CIF not only includes freight to your destination port, but also insurance. In addition to duty and tax, there could be additional charges at your end, including Customs clearance work, and delivery to your address. If the shipment is by sea freight there could be a lot more also. If shipping by sea you should get a quote from a local freight forwarder including all possible charges.

Quoting FOB is almost the universal practice in China, whether for samples or large orders. FOB China is a vague term. They should specify which port, so for example it might read FOB Guangzhou. Unless they state the port, there is a risk that they are quoting FOB their factory which is in effect EXW. Either way, if you accept FOB or EXW, you need a quote from a local freight forwarder, preferably in a location near you.

Net weight is only academic, being for the contents only, as you know. What is important is the gross weight, and also, if the contents are bulky, the dimensions and quantity of the outer packages. This allows calculation of volumetric weight which is a freight jargon term whereby volume is converted to a "weight" for the purpose of calculating the freight cost.

Walter

Great stuff, thanks for that Walter; he has confirmed that their FOB really is FOB and not EXW. He is also saying he needs to know how big my order will be to calculate CIF. So I'm taking your advice about being evasive on that one :)

One thing I am finding hard to find out from suppliers is how many of their boxes fit on a pallet, and it seems this is crucial info for freight forwarders when I contact them. Any tips in that area?
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

iizu

Bronze Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
260%
Jan 23, 2016
92
239
34
Finland
Great stuff, thanks for that Walter; he has confirmed that their FOB really is FOB and not EXW. He is also saying he needs to know how big my order will be to calculate CIF. So I'm taking your advice about being evasive on that one :)

One thing I am finding hard to find out from suppliers is how many of their boxes fit on a pallet, and it seems this is crucial info for freight forwarders when I contact them. Any tips in that area?

Maybe this will help, if you know the package dimensions..

http://www.toocraft.com/postpic/2013/08/standard-pallet-size-dimensions_663494.png

EDIT:

This is pretty cool also:

Onpallet.com/ free online pallet calculator | Online Palettier-Rechner | Ordinateur du palettiseurs | Calcolatrice per palletizzatori online | by Lorenz Pan AG
 
Last edited:

Roli

Platinum Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
160%
Jun 3, 2015
2,061
3,301

Walter Hay

Legendary Contributor
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
401%
Sep 13, 2014
3,318
13,305
World citizen
Great stuff, thanks for that Walter; he has confirmed that their FOB really is FOB and not EXW. He is also saying he needs to know how big my order will be to calculate CIF. So I'm taking your advice about being evasive on that one :)

One thing I am finding hard to find out from suppliers is how many of their boxes fit on a pallet, and it seems this is crucial info for freight forwarders when I contact them. Any tips in that area?
Your freight forwarder should be willing and able to do the calculation for you. They usually only require package dimensions, weight and quantity.

Thanks to @iizu for his helpful answer. Just note that the online pallet calculator will most likely assume European size, which is smaller than the Asian one.

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

malindi

Contributor
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
238%
Feb 19, 2017
21
50
44
Sydney
The reality is that although indentured labor is still in existence in some places, the Chinese government is clamping down on the practice.

Over many years of visiting Chinese factories I have seen vast improvements in workers' conditions, and i have written on this subject previously because it is of interest and concern to many readers.

I can't recommend any company in particular, but there are numerous well accredited printers in China who could meet your needs. You can find them by searching on B2B sites, but I suggest you do a quick read though this thread to get some guidance on how to sort the good from the bad.

Let me know if you encounter any difficulties.

Walter
Thanks Walter, I will go do my homework
 

GerTranslator

New Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
118%
May 9, 2016
11
13
40
Siegen, Germany or Tokyo, Japan
First of all thank you for all the great responses here.

Most questions here are about the sourcing, but I am more interested in the actual B2B selling process as an import company, and how to find out about b2b product opportunities, when you are not yet very connected in the business world.
As an outsider with not many contacts, it probably seems a bit overwhelming at first and just randomly writing emails and calling companies you research online can't be the most productive way.
 

Walter Hay

Legendary Contributor
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
401%
Sep 13, 2014
3,318
13,305
World citizen
First of all thank you for all the great responses here.

Most questions here are about the sourcing, but I am more interested in the actual B2B selling process as an import company, and how to find out about b2b product opportunities, when you are not yet very connected in the business world.
As an outsider with not many contacts, it probably seems a bit overwhelming at first and just randomly writing emails and calling companies you research online can't be the most productive way.
Your question really requires many pages to answer, because it is asking me to explain the process of selling B2B.

Briefly, here is what I did to sell B2B with both of the businesses that I started from zero.

  • First step was to find a need. In business #1 that need was for a technically superior product to replace one that had been on the market for many years and was a very poor performer in the production process for which it was being sold.
  • Offer free samples of my improved product. This was done by personal cold call visits to local relevant manufacturers, and by mail to distant ones.
  • Better results were obtained by offering heavily discounted large samples, sufficient for testing in production runs at those factories. People used the samples they paid for, but often left the free samples on the shelf.
  • In business #2 the need was for more reliable quality, plus service better than the almost non-existent service that almost universally applied.
  • Advertising in Yellow Pages, (now almost obsolete.) Heavy spending but more effective than the much greater spending by competitors.
  • Large scale direct mail. Costly, but cost effective because I achieved a high conversion rate.
  • Cold personal visits to prospective customers. In one segment of the industry that was highly effective because competitors never called.
  • Developed a method that I call "warm calling" for most other industry segments. This involved going to the receptionist, handing her (sometimes him) a sample, brochure, price list, and business card, and simply asking "would you kindly pass this on to the person responsible for ordering such products. I then walked out. This was highly effective, often resulting in a phone call within minutes requesting me to return to talk. One such case was when the receptionist said "we don't order things from here it all goes through head office". I was about 300 meters away when I got the call to return and discuss a very substantial order.
In both businesses, establishing the need was the critical step.

Occasionally I was contacted by a business that wanted a large quantity of something related to my product line, and I pre-sold it to them before importing it. This is sometimes called indent selling. It can be very profitable, but not easy to find such business. I never looked for it - it came to me.

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

amp0193

Legendary Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
444%
May 27, 2013
3,637
16,157
United States
@Walter Hay This was the best B2B post I've seen on this forum in a long time.

Better results were obtained by offering heavily discounted large samples, sufficient for testing in production runs at those factories. People used the samples they paid for, but often left the free samples on the shelf.

This was a lightbulb moment for me. I've been frustrated at how few free samples I send out actually convert into an order. I really like your idea of a deeply discounted initial "sample" order, to make them feel it in the wallet a little bit.

Developed a method that I call "warm calling" for most other industry segments. This involved going to the receptionist, handing her (sometimes him) a sample, brochure, price list, and business card, and simply asking "would you kindly pass this on to the person responsible for ordering such products. I then walked out.

Very cool method. You've got my mind turning on how to create some cool tri-fold brochures on my products.

Occasionally I was contacted by a business that wanted a large quantity of something related to my product line, and I pre-sold it to them before importing it. This is sometimes called indent selling. It can be very profitable, but not easy to find such business.

This is actually how I ran the wholesale side of my business for the first year. I made a wholesale catalog, that had every item that my manufacturer offered. My manufacturer actually gave me all the high-res images for me to use. I would just tack on any wholesale orders to the skus that I was already having manufactured for my B2C channels. My lead times were pretty short... 7-12 days to my door from order being placed.

Although it was amazing for cash flow, Doing it this way was stressful. Any last minute additions or changes to a customer's order, or requests for customization, or delays on the manufacturing side, could send me scrambling to try do damage control or make fast changes to something. My customers generally wanted the product within 2 weeks, which I think is pretty typical for most retailers.

I am a lot more at peace now that I'm carrying more inventory, have everything in stock, and am able to ship out next day. My customers are happier too. The process is also more automated.
 

Roli

Platinum Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
160%
Jun 3, 2015
2,061
3,301
Hi Walter, Just a quick one here.

I have ordered and paid for delivery of a free sample from my first would-be supplier. He is having it shipped to me by DHL. I wanted to arrange transit myself; as I had found a price around half the $70 he wanted to charge. He then agreed to ship for $45 by DHL from China to London, saying that he would confirm when it was shipped and also to send me a tracking number.

We have had around 45 emails back and forth regarding various products and product samples, he usually gets back to me within 10 minutes, even when it is late night in China.

However I mailed him 3 days ago, asking if the sample had been shipped, and he hasn't got back to me.

He did send me an email previously saying that the sample was ready, and that it should be shipped on that day, and that he'd send me a tracking number in the next 7 days (around 8 days ago).

So I remembered what you said about the difference in Asian culture, especially when it comes down to matters of face. So I don't want to risk annoying him by mailing again, especially as he's indicated by his actions so far that he doesn't need any reminding.

Also as a (possibly important) side note; this morning I went back through our emails, and I noticed one night that during our email exchanges, I missed one from him where he said it was very late in China and wanted to go to sleep. Unfortunately, because I missed that, I just assumed his answers meant he was fine to carry on our discussion, and I kept him up for about another 20 minutes.

Should I bring this up? I feel genuinely bad, as it was around 1 in the morning in China, and from his view it's like I just totally blundered on after him telling me he was tired.

Again I'm not sure about how to play it, I want him to know I'm sorry and it was a mistake, but at the same time don't want to send him an insult without realising it!


By the way, the quote below from your answer about b2b selling is gold, and something I and a lot of people would never have figured out. :)


  • Better results were obtained by offering heavily discounted large samples, sufficient for testing in production runs at those factories. People used the samples they paid for, but often left the free samples on the shelf.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Roli

Platinum Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
160%
Jun 3, 2015
2,061
3,301
Hi Walter,

I think I packed in too much in my last post here, and you liked my comment but missed my question. I talk too much :-D

So any ideas what I should do about the tracking number?

Thanks
 

Walter Hay

Legendary Contributor
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
401%
Sep 13, 2014
3,318
13,305
World citizen
Hi Walter, Just a quick one here.

I have ordered and paid for delivery of a free sample from my first would-be supplier. He is having it shipped to me by DHL. I wanted to arrange transit myself; as I had found a price around half the $70 he wanted to charge. He then agreed to ship for $45 by DHL from China to London, saying that he would confirm when it was shipped and also to send me a tracking number.

We have had around 45 emails back and forth regarding various products and product samples, he usually gets back to me within 10 minutes, even when it is late night in China.

However I mailed him 3 days ago, asking if the sample had been shipped, and he hasn't got back to me.

He did send me an email previously saying that the sample was ready, and that it should be shipped on that day, and that he'd send me a tracking number in the next 7 days (around 8 days ago).

So I remembered what you said about the difference in Asian culture, especially when it comes down to matters of face. So I don't want to risk annoying him by mailing again, especially as he's indicated by his actions so far that he doesn't need any reminding.

Also as a (possibly important) side note; this morning I went back through our emails, and I noticed one night that during our email exchanges, I missed one from him where he said it was very late in China and wanted to go to sleep. Unfortunately, because I missed that, I just assumed his answers meant he was fine to carry on our discussion, and I kept him up for about another 20 minutes.

Should I bring this up? I feel genuinely bad, as it was around 1 in the morning in China, and from his view it's like I just totally blundered on after him telling me he was tired.

Again I'm not sure about how to play it, I want him to know I'm sorry and it was a mistake, but at the same time don't want to send him an insult without realising it!


By the way, the quote below from your answer about b2b selling is gold, and something I and a lot of people would never have figured out. :)
Hi Roli,

Something strange has happened here. I wrote a reply, and clicked on Post Reply but I find that it didn't appear. Your post yesterday isn't here either. so I will cut and paste it from the email notification I received, then add my reply which answers both.
"@ Hi Walter,

I think I packed in too much in my last post here, and you liked my comment but missed my question. I talk too much :-D

So any ideas what I should do about the tracking number?

Thanks"

Here's my missing reply:
I think you now have a good opportunity to build a good relationship with this supplier. If you show that you are prepared to lose face by apologizing, he will appreciate that.

So yes, you should raise the subject of keeping him up late at night. Apologize saying you didn't realize it was so late when you were communicating with him back in ...... Tell him that you very much appreciate his excellent service and you will take more care in future to avoid emailing him during the night.

He might respond by giving you the tracking number, but I would just add as a P.S. Are you able to give me the tracking number now?

Walter
 

Roli

Platinum Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
160%
Jun 3, 2015
2,061
3,301
Hi Roli,

Something strange has happened here. I wrote a reply, and clicked on Post Reply but I find that it didn't appear. Your post yesterday isn't here either. so I will cut and paste it from the email notification I received, then add my reply which answers both.
"@ Hi Walter,

I think I packed in too much in my last post here, and you liked my comment but missed my question. I talk too much :-D

So any ideas what I should do about the tracking number?

Thanks"

Here's my missing reply:
I think you now have a good opportunity to build a good relationship with this supplier. If you show that you are prepared to lose face by apologizing, he will appreciate that.

So yes, you should raise the subject of keeping him up late at night. Apologize saying you didn't realize it was so late when you were communicating with him back in ...... Tell him that you very much appreciate his excellent service and you will take more care in future to avoid emailing him during the night.

He might respond by giving you the tracking number, but I would just add as a P.S. Are you able to give me the tracking number now?

Walter

Nice stuff! Thanks again Walter for another piece of excellent advice :)

That's weird about the replies and such; maybe you need a browser update; that can often be the reason you don't see stuff on websites. That and ad blocking software, which can often mess with the non advertising parts of a site.

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

Walter Hay

Legendary Contributor
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
401%
Sep 13, 2014
3,318
13,305
World citizen
Nice stuff! Thanks again Walter for another piece of excellent advice :)

That's weird about the replies and such; maybe you need a browser update; that can often be the reason you don't see stuff on websites. That and ad blocking software, which can often mess with the non advertising parts of a site.

Cheers!
My browser is up to date, but I use private browsing, so ad blockers could be a problem. Thanks for the suggestion.

Walter
 

Millenial_Kid5K1

Bronze Contributor
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
261%
Feb 14, 2017
155
404
35
Atlanta
I have a somewhat complex question: the product I want to make is very simple, but quality is extremely important. I have found versions of it on Alibaba, but they're all lower quality than what I want to make. Given that I'd be significantly changing the product(different metal material, shape, better deburring/chamfering, different plastic/metal union), how do I go about quality testing the product I'm actually making, not the substandard version they've made in the past?
 

Post New Topic

Please SEARCH before posting.
Please select the BEST category.

Post new topic

Guest post submissions offered HERE.

Latest Posts

New Topics

Fastlane Insiders

View the forum AD FREE.
Private, unindexed content
Detailed process/execution threads
Ideas needing execution, more!

Join Fastlane Insiders.

Top