Sourcing Agent from China

[LancashireLad]

Hi All,

I am in the process of setting up my business and would like to source items from China. In order to ensure I use genuine suppliers with good quality products at competitive prices I would like to use a sourcing agent.

I am seeking preferably a Chinese native sourcing agent who is reliable and will do the best to source me the best products available. If anyone can recommend any such agents or are one yourself please let me know.

Thanks.

 

[Frankngai]

Hello,

Glad to know you. We're professional sourcing agent in China. We're Chinese native. We'd like to recommend oursleves to you. Hope we can assit you to source what you need in China.

If you're interested, pls drop me a PM. Let's discuss how to get the ball rolling.

B. rgds,
Frank

 

[James Wang]

Hi, I am interested in being your on the ground representative or alike. if u are interesting, please private message me.

 

[sirbrandy]

Is this physical sourcing of goods from China?

Or do you intend to hire global talent too? I can recommend more on the skills part. I've been using Staff.com to take advantage of global skills and talents. You might find one there that you can utilize for your business.

 

[Dowafoar]

We are an E-commerce company and sell a lot of kinds of products. Also we have warehouse in UK. You can contact us if you are interested in.

 

[IMEX Sourcing Services]

Hi,

We are based down in China and I feel we provide exactly the services you need, with the added benefit of security. We have members from the business forum who use our services and manage the entire process from finding the supplier, to QC, Price negotiations and customs clearing and transportation both in China & UK. Pls drop me a PM with your email and more info about your product and requirements and I would happy to send you more information about our services

Thanks

 

[wolfitman]

If you are interested in using a UK Registered business with 10+ years of sourcing products from Asia then PM me.

I am based 50% in the UK and 50% in China and have contacts and factories for many products in my portfolio along with a Chinese Personally Assistant and a Chinese QA Team.

I specialise is Audio products but anything is possible!

Nick from Audio Sourcing Limited

 

[Maple Sourcing]

I've worked for 15 years in manufacturing and quality control, well experienced in Promotional Items, Knitwear & Garments, Consumer Electronics, Beauty & Personal Care, Kitchenware & Houseware, Sports & Outdoor, Rigid Boxes, and other hardgoods.

My rich experience will help you to source almost anything and everything in China; my manufacturing, quality control experiences and strong technical background will solve the unexpected problems during order processing; and my hard working, high efficiency and good communication will provide you best service.

Pls send me a PM to discuss more details.

 

[Wowgiftchina]

Good Luck.Wish you have a good start of your international business.

 

[minervachina]

It will depend on what you are sourcing. Our partner sourcing company is based in China, and we have furniture factory. So if you are looking for furniture, LED lights, printing products and cookware, then we are your guy.

 

[inclinesourcing]

Hi Lancashirelad,

As you can see there are plenty of sourcing agent options.

Again, we are one of them. If it helps, we are based in the UK (can communicate with you in real time, know UK legislations and safety requirements) and have staff on the ground in China (speak the language, have full working day contact with factories for briefing, negotiation etc). We have the usual bells and whistles as everyone else - QA inspection services, transportation, customs clearance etc, but also we pride ourselves in the transparency of what we do including email/text updates throughout your project progress. Google us using inclinesourcing and take a look.

Good luck with your sourcing project with whom ever you may choose. It is far better than trying it the first time by yourself!

 

[LancashireLad]

Thanks for all your replies and offers for help, going it alone is quite hard and can be daunting. I am looking to source gym equipment in particular bumper plates, olympic bars and lifting platforms.

I feel there is a good market for this in particular for home gym users, however the initial quotes I have received for just samples have been pretty outrageous, maybe it is due to the weight of the products.

 

[IMEX Sourcing Services]

You are correct. One of the challenges with high volume samples is that they can be pretty expensive to bring over. This is because, within your logistics cost, their are fixed and variable costs and for small volume/weight (compared to a container) the fixed costs can be pretty high. Once you start doing volume business, these fixed costs are spread out over a much larger number of goods and hence the effect of logistics and services on per unit basis is much less.

 

[inclinesourcing]

Hi again Lancashirelad

Is the quote you have received based on delivered to the UK or delivered to Chinese port (FOB).

In fact I would imagine that even without transportation these items would be more expensive than you would expect.

The reason for buying from China is to take advantage of their manufacturing efficiencies and most importantly their cheap labour resources.
If a product requires little labour then actually it may not be particularly competitive and even more expensive when you factor in transportation.

Gym equipment is usual self assembly for the consumer meaning that the box contains materials with holes punched, a bit of powder coating and may be a few assembled items. Eg Olympic bars are metal poles which have been finished and machined, there is little labour involvement.
In fact I was unlucky enough to do temp work about 20 years ago at York Barbell in UK and found that they manufactured over 50% of their products in the UK for UK sales. This tells you something.

Regarding the point made by IMEX Sourcing Services, this is one of the most overlooked factors for individuals looking to source from China. Just to take that point further, if you are looking to import heavy items you may find that the container can only be 50% filled as the weight limit will be reached before the volume of the container can be filled, further distorting the problem!

If you would like to import fitness equipment from China I would recommend looking at products which are smaller, appear to be assembled by a human being - eg pedometers, skipping ropes etc. Other products like fitness machines would cost a small fortune to import enough to make cost efficient.

 

[LancashireLad]

Thanks for your replies Imex and Incline. The reason I had looked at bumper plates was when I set my own garage gym up I found that the weight plates were pretty expensive for example I was paying upwards of £90 for a 25kg plate with most of these products manufactured in China. Another example being the power rack and work bench I bought was from Powertec again manufactured in China, the quality of the products being very good.

I have been looking at gym equipment as an extra to the initial items I will be selling because it is something that interests me, however the sample costs alone have made me realise unless I have a very hefty initial budget I won't be able to compete in this market with an emphasis on importing from China.

 

[MOIC]

Hi All,

I am in the process of setting up my business and would like to source items from China. In order to ensure I use genuine suppliers with good quality products at competitive prices I would like to use a sourcing agent.

I am seeking preferably a Chinese native sourcing agent who is reliable and will do the best to source me the best products available. If anyone can recommend any such agents or are one yourself please let me know.

Thanks.

My advice is as following:

1 - Use a sourcing agent that has knowledge in the products you are looking to source.

2 - Make sure the agent is not connected to any factory and gets a 'free commission' from the factory.

3 - Use a company that can follow your orders, through negotiations, sample approval, contracts, quality control and shipping.

4 - Use a company that the communications between you are clearly understood.

5 - Make sure the sourcing company you select will guarantee the payments you make to the supplier are to verified bank accounts.

5 - Ask for references before you get involved with parting with any money.

Its not easy choosing your best sourcing partner, a little research beforehand will help.

Best of luck.

Ron

 

[milianleila]

hiiiiii,

Good discussion. I love that too.

 

[LancashireLad]

Thanks for that response Ron, I recently got one quote from a "sourcing agent" and it seems like he added his percentage to the products I wanted which meant quite a high price.

Finding the right agent isnt easy.

 

[MOIC]

Thanks for that response Ron, I recently got one quote from a "sourcing agent" and it seems like he added his percentage to the products I wanted which meant quite a high price.

Finding the right agent isnt easy.

Hi Lancashire Lad

If you require any sourcing done in China, we can handle this for you.

We work to UK standards, not Chinese.

If you need any further assistance, please PM me, I'll be happy to help.

Regards

Ron

 

[Directimport]

Thanks for that response Ron, I recently got one quote from a "sourcing agent" and it seems like he added his percentage to the products I wanted which meant quite a high price.

Finding the right agent isnt easy.

Hi LancashireLad,
If you get some proper advice from someone with real importing experience you will know how to locate the manufacturers direct. I am not allowed to advertise, but that is what I teach and it is safe and easy for people who follow my methods. I also teach how to make the importing part a breeze.

Having said that, I agree with inclinesourcing that you look for local manufacturers for heavy items because of the potential for freight costs to price your product out of the market.

Put some effort into local sourcing. There are plenty of manufacturers in the UK who can produce what you need. Think outside the square. They may not be producing gym equipment, but may be producing items that require similar production methods.

By way of example not related to your industry, if you wanted to have headlight protectors made, you could look at acrylic fabricators who make acrylic display stands.

 

[MOIC]

Put some effort into local sourcing. There are plenty of manufacturers in the UK who can produce what you need. Think outside the square. They may not be producing gym equipment, but may be producing items that require similar production methods.

By way of example not related to your industry, if you wanted to have headlight protectors made, you could look at acrylic fabricators who make acrylic display stands.

This is a dangerous line to go down with Chinese factories.

Generally, factories make what they make, any deviation needs to be thouroughly checked as this is where mistakes are often made. If a factory is asked to make something new, you must expect several samples before the product matches the correct specifications. There are always teething problems.

In China it's best to find a factory that is already producing what you need.

 

[Directimport]

This is a dangerous line to go down with Chinese factories.

Generally, factories make what they make, any deviation needs to be thouroughly checked as this is where mistakes are often made. If a factory is asked to make something new, you must expect several samples before the product matches the correct specifications. There are always teething problems.

In China it's best to find a factory that is already producing what you need.

Sorry MY OFFICE IN CHINA but you have completely missed the point. I suggested sourcing locally in the UK. As I wrote: "There are plenty of manufacturers in the UK who can produce what you need."

I would be happy if Lancashire lad persisted in buying from China, because then he may be inclined to buy my book to avoid mistakes in sourcing and importing, but I really think his best course of action, at least for the heavy items, is to source in the UK.

 

[MOIC]

Sorry MY OFFICE IN CHINA but you have completely missed the point. I suggested sourcing locally in the UK. As I wrote: "There are plenty of manufacturers in the UK who can produce what you need."

I completely understand your point.

I was just referring to the OP's initial suggestion that he is looking to buy from China, and that your theory for 'thinking outside the square' does not apply to the vast majority of Chinese factories.

It's a completely different scenario compared to working with a UK company.

There are many factors in deciding where to buy your goods from, but if your quantity is sufficient, I believe that China is the best option, as long as you work with the right factory and do things correctly during the order process.

It's just my point of view, having worked with China factories for over 20 years.

 

[Directimport]

I quite agree that having new products made in China can be problematic, and it is not recommended for newcomers without help.

I often needed bespoke products for customers over my 22 years importing and marketing B2B, and having established a good relationship with several manufacturers, each with different manufacturing capabilities, I encountered no serious problems.

The bulk of my business was for simple items that my franchisees purchased direct from the suppliers I had cultivated. Although I had to sell the business due to heart surgery, I still keep in touch, and know that the arrangements are still functioning smoothly.

My experience in long dealings with China has been very happy. I still send and receive greeting cards on special occasions, and when I get news of a marriage or birth, I send a small gift. The new owners of my business benefit but I continue to do it because it seems proper.

Developing and maintaining good business relationships are extremely important matters when dealing with China.

 

[MOIC]

I quite agree that having new products made in China can be problematic, and it is not recommended for newcomers without help.

I think we are both singing from the same hymn sheet !

Be well.

 

[jenifer S]

Hi , I recommend our Chinese sourcing partner company to you ,i'm quite satisfied with their sourcing job. If u r interested in,pls PM me.

 

[arthurlai]

Hi,

You need find one who has the talent of purchasing and exporting skills.

Better to find one who has been working in an exporting company or factory.

He/She is professional in all the matters.

But the premise it that you need to find a good person.

May it can do a favor.

 

[2.0drifter]

Hi All,

I am in the process of setting up my business and would like to source items from China. In order to ensure I use genuine suppliers with good quality products at competitive prices I would like to use a sourcing agent.

I am seeking preferably a Chinese native sourcing agent who is reliable and will do the best to source me the best products available. If anyone can recommend any such agents or are one yourself please let me know.

Thanks.

Depending on the type of products we are established 10 years
and import to Denmark , Sweden, Germany and UK
Although we have our own China based staff . Building a relationship is critical
Particularly if your volume leverage /quantity is limited.

 

[Shirley Gao]

Hi

I am Cindy Gao, working as international sales. What kind of products do you want to source? I know some industries very well. I could help you to find good quality suppliers with good price. I am a responsible and reliable person. Please contact me if you don't have the right person. By the way, I am native.

Best Regards
Cindy Gao

Skype:cindygaoled