Some time ago you started your manufacturing company and now your business is starting to grow? Congratulations, we’re happy to hear that your business is blooming! However, as your needs grow, it becomes increasingly difficult for you to find the right suppliers.
You may be happy with your current Chinese suppliers, but now that the requirements are increasing and you need multiple different products it can be challenging to find the right supplier for yourself.
In situations like this, we recommend that you consider China sourcing agents that can be a link between you and your suppliers and ensure the success of your projects. But how to find the good ones? And how to ensure that your cooperation brings results? Learn more about this below.
How to find a good China sourcing agent?
If you are looking for a good China buying agent, there are a few things to keep in mind before choosing them. As a first step, it is a good idea to choose a sourcing agent that has a local presence in China, which means they have an office or headquarters there.
This is important because it will ensure that they can represent your company whenever needed, without you having to travel there. Second, they will be well versed in the local market and will be able to give you the best advice on suppliers to go with.
Second, it would be best if that China sourcing agent also has an office in your city, or at least a state. This is a significant factor because it greatly facilitates your communication and ensures an efficient agreement in the shortest possible time, without delay due to time differences and other technicalities.
And lastly, find a China buying agent who has knowledge of the products you want to get from China. But here we mean primarily knowledge of the production process, because such experts will be able to give you the best advice, point out the advantages and disadvantages of a potential supplier and ensure that you find the best possible products for your business. Of course, many years of experience is welcome, so if you manage to find such a sourcing agent, it is an additional benefit.
Tips for working with sourcing agents in China
1. Don’t rush in choosing your China buying agent
One of the best tips we can give you when choosing your China buying agent is not to rush with the decision. There are many different options, so you want to take the time to meet a few of them so you can choose the one that seems best to you.
Keep in mind that most sourcing agents are really professionals who do their job in the best way. But there are always exceptions, so you don’t want to hire just anyone. You want to find the services of a China sourcing agent such as JustChinaIt that will ensure that your business reduces costs, ship freight, as well as increase profits.
2. Talk to them face to face before you start working together
Before you decide to officially start working with a China sourcing agent, it is a good idea to meet with him or her and talk face to face. This way, you will primarily show that you are a professional in your business and that you value interpersonal relationships, but also your company and brand.
Secondly, you will have the opportunity to gain the final gut feeling about the person before you formalize the beginning of the cooperation. The best way to start your story together is to travel to China to meet them and show that you really care and value their work and time.
When you make a good first impression, you can certainly expect a very successful collaboration as well as that you will be on the same page from the start.
3. Be present at meetings and maintain interpersonal relationships at a high level
When it comes to Chinese business and industrial culture, you need to know one thing, and that is that they value interpersonal relationships more than anything. Make sure you communicate regularly with your China buying agents and be regular at meetings. This way you will show how much you appreciate your cooperation, but also their time and effort.
Every time you have the chance to be physically present in China at meetings do not miss the opportunity to be there. Ask your China sourcing agent if they want to accompany your company’s representatives to meetings with the manufacturers you choose. All of these are ways to maintain good relationships and ensure that your collaboration has a solid foundation.
4. Don’t get too carried away
And lastly, another important thing when working with a China sourcing agent is to be realistic and don’t get too carried away. A good sourcing agent can ensure great product quality and a low price, but sometimes it is simply not possible to have both at the same time and this is something you should be aware of. It is vital to distinguish between a scenario in which the agent is not doing their job properly and one in which your expectations are unrealistic.
It is crucial that you talk to your China buying agent on time and set priorities when it comes to a particular manufacturer. If product quality and speed of delivery are your number one priority, then you may probably have to pay a slightly higher price, no matter how good an agent you have.
On the other hand, if you are on a budget and want cheap products, then you may have to compromise on quality. Be realistic, talk to your China buying agent regularly and decide together what is the priority and what the price to achieve your goal is.
Conclusion:
There are several different types of suppliers in China, and depending on your needs, requirements and capabilities, you will choose the right one for you. China sourcing agents are there to represent the link between your company and Chinese producers and ensure the highest possible quality at the lowest possible price.
In order to achieve optimal cooperation with your China buying agent, don’t rush in choosing your China buying agent, talk to them face to face before you start working together, be present at meetings and maintain interpersonal relationships at a high level, and don ‘ t get too carried away with your expectations.
Once you find the right China sourcing agent, your business will start to grow much faster and you will be able to achieve the success you wanted.