Can't seem to be getting on with China!!

[andrewp]

OK, I always thought that China was a "go out and get it" place, and efficient to do business with! The experience of this one company I am having (see below) is like extracting teeth!

I have found a company that are manufacturing a product that I am confident that with my connections, I can sell in the UK.

The product is new and I have raised a number of reasonable questions, mainly safety related, but just do not seem to get a straight answer - and the answer I finally get tends to take days to get back. They are on Alibaba, and show the product as COC, yet cannot provide me with proof, and indeed now tell me it is neither COC or CCC.

Is there anyone who has used an agent in China to negotiate on their behalf, perhaps on commission basis that they could recommend?

 

[GraemeL]

Hello Andrew,

So you are learning some of the issues with China! But I can assure you that the majority of people are invariably helpful and honest. Trouble is you cannot tell if you are dealing with the majority or minority on the net.

If you posted a link, it wont work as you are new to the forum. You will need to spell it out on a post.

Not saying I can help (But there will def be someone who can) but need to know more first. And of course, your costs will go up involving others.

G

 

[andrewp]

I am confident that sure I am dealing with a honest company, escrow accepted via alibaba, several years trading etc. but due to language barrier believe I am dealing with a secretary who probably is one of limited number of English speaking staff, and she probably has better things to do with her time!

Thanks

 

[GraemeL]

Hello Chris,

your written English is good. So I think you will be able to translate easily for Andrew. To be honest, I think this is all he needs.

G

 

[andrewp]

Thanks Chris - yes, am getting a bit suspicious of their delaying! I am trying to purchase motorbikes - we started off with confirmation as per alibaba advert bikes were eec, this appears not be be the case and they have advised me accordingly, now waiting for sight of coc.

I am beginning to realise that perseverance is what is needed.

 

[GraemeL]

Graeme, you are kidding me! Thousands of Chinese words in a CCC report!

Andrew, you should ask for COC report for your reference. It is good to your business. But once they cannot provide you that or they delay to answer your request, they might not have that certificate at that time.

Hello Chris, I do not think I have mentioned a CCC report?

 

[GraemeL]

So, what you mean is ... to help Andrew? I am not expert in motorbikes.

I think that maybe Andrew just needs someone who is fluent in Mandarin (or Cantonese or...) to speak directly to the factory for him. That way the 'secretary' that he describes is by-passed and a manager can be involved. I doubt any expertise in motorbikes is needed. Of course I do not know if this is what Andrew needs, nor if he wants any help at all now.

Definitely did not mean translation of documents. You written English is good, so I infer from that your speaking is very good.

 

[MrCloser]

Thanks Chris - yes, am getting a bit suspicious of their delaying! I am trying to purchase motorbikes - we started off with confirmation as per alibaba advert bikes were eec, this appears not be be the case and they have advised me accordingly, now waiting for sight of coc.

I am beginning to realise that perseverance is what is needed.

Just beware that the build quality and parts back up for certain chinese motorcycles is very,very poor. They also have a really bad reputation here.
Frames snapping on low powered 125cc bikes, awful electrics, dodgy branding and styling. The 'honda 125' copy mantra is just untrue, spoken here as an experienced bike mechanic. Some of these kids mini off roaders might be ok but just tread very carefully if I were you.

 

[GraemeL]

Just a guess, but I would think these are electric. Is that what you are thinking off with your note?

 

[IMEX Sourcing Services]

Hi Andrew,

There are quite a few issues here but I would like to summarise a few key points about Chinese manufacturers as well as doing business here.

1. Chinese manufacturers prefer face to face communication and are usually very slow to respond to emails (especially genuine manufacturers - as opposed to trading companies).

2. 96% of the companies online, on sites like Alibaba are traders claiming to be manufacturers with photoshopped factory pictures etc.

3. In order to keep costs low, Chinese manufacturers try to minimise compliance. In order for things to work perfectly, it is EXTREMELY important to have a good sales contract written out in CHINESE. It just amazes me that people import huge quantities, multiple containers, without even having a basic sales contract. Also, if doing business in China, it is essential that the contract is in Chinese and there is a designated appointed arbitrator. Many companies/individuals think that if there is a breach of contract, it would be too time consuming and expensive to follow up on the contract (which may or may not be true depending on the value of the goods) but the value of a contract as a "Deterrent" is GREAT.
4. If the value of your goods is above $10,000 it is highly recommended that you carry out company background verifications. Our chemicals division recently had a customer who had imported two containers of chemicals (before coming to us), Titanium Dioxide & Glycerol and ended up receiving white powder and black water. They did not carry out any due diligence whatsoever and none of the arbitration agencies would take their case because they never had a sales contract in the first place.

5. Having a Chinese agent makes a big difference, in terms of follow up with the supplier, ensuring compliance, quality control and most importantly verifying with the supplier is genuine or not and if genuine, whether they are a manufacturer or trader and if trader, whether their margins are reasonable or not for the quantity you are purchasing.

6. Coming on to certifications, depending on the reason why a particular certificate is needed, i.e. is it needed only for customs clearance or to genuinely ensure quality everything can be arranged in China, either through third parties or strict enforcement of quality standards.


Hope this helps. If you would like to discuss your specific requirements, please feel free drop me a line.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Andrew,

20 years of dealing in China and I have never come across CCC - is that China Compulsory Certificate? What is COC?

This is not surprising as they bare no relevance to the UK or EU!

Why do you want this certification, when, for the EU/UK they will need at least CE and, being motor vehicles, a hundred different ofther approvals?

 

[GraemeL]

Hi Andrew,

There are quite a few issues here but I would like to summarise a few key points about Chinese manufacturers as well as doing business here.

.

Good post
G

 

[somebody]

Hi,Andrew, i am here gonna try to help....
if you have any difficult to understand those BAD english from the secratary, you can add me, contact me anytime, free of course.

for long "report“, can only give you a General idea, since times are alway treasure,you know!

usually i am online, except weekend.

 

[topphone03]

not every Chines manufacturer is like this,that is just a minority,it could happen everhwhere,i own a Factory in China manufacturing mobile phone products such as LCDs,housings,touch screen and Battery for Nokia,motorola,blackberry and iphone.ect.i never running into any serious trouble with any of my client,communication is very important!

 

[Iris_clothing]

OK, I always thought that China was a "go out and get it" place, and efficient to do business with! The experience of this one company I am having (see below) is like extracting teeth!

I have found a company that are manufacturing a product that I am confident that with my connections, I can sell in the UK.

The product is new and I have raised a number of reasonable questions, mainly safety related, but just do not seem to get a straight answer - and the answer I finally get tends to take days to get back. They are on Alibaba, and show the product as COC, yet cannot provide me with proof, and indeed now tell me it is neither COC or CCC.

Is there anyone who has used an agent in China to negotiate on their behalf, perhaps on commission basis that they could recommend?

Hi What can I do for you!

 

[topphone03]

i have been working as a mobile phone manufacturer in China for years,i own a factory in south of China and i never running into any trouble with any of my clients,perhaps the case you refered to were just a minority.

 

[besafebeseenchina]

You are right. if you have agnet in china will be better for your business. of course. must good guy in china. if bad you know what will happen.

 

[GraemeL]

China National Day holidays are ended. Everyone is back!

 

[besafebeseenchina]

yeah many factory worker back to computer and send email to world.

 

[andrewp]

Well, many thanks for so many replies. I shall PM those that I believe can assist - hopefully now with a Chinese agent involved I can get things moving.

Generally I am sure that dealing with Chinese companies is good, lets face it, they seem to make half of everything produced in the world, and have an economy that's alight!

 

[Matt CLSC]

Hello Andrew,
If your supplier is based in Guangdong or a nearby province, I'd be happy to provide a quick, no liability check up on your behalf as to whether or not they are a genuine manufacturer (free of charge and without obligation!). My company, a supply chain platform and financial services provider, has extensive contacts in the region and I imagine it would only take me a moment or two.
Matt

 

[GraemeL]

Hello Matt,

is this you?

China Loong Supply Chain Inc?

G

 

[Matt CLSC]

Hi Graeme,
Yes it is. The company has several websites covering different aspects of our business. If you haven't already found it, please see our English website en.clsc.cn for more info (the website may be out for a couple of hours over this week as we're in the process of re-designing).

Kind regards,

Matt

 

[Levy]

most advertisements from Alibaba.com are trading companies, not manufacturers. the reply will be promptly if you contact to the trading company generally because there are specialized sales team with good english communication there. If the company is factory, they will have to respond to you slowly because of language barrier. the majority of factories that carry out international exporting business are small and have a lack of good english use.
It is really recommended to deal with the China business by an agent or people based in China, that would help you the safety and timely import business.

 

[Sarah Cai]

OK, I always thought that China was a "go out and get it" place, and efficient to do business with! The experience of this one company I am having (see below) is like extracting teeth!

I have found a company that are manufacturing a product that I am confident that with my connections, I can sell in the UK.

The product is new and I have raised a number of reasonable questions, mainly safety related, but just do not seem to get a straight answer - and the answer I finally get tends to take days to get back. They are on Alibaba, and show the product as COC, yet cannot provide me with proof, and indeed now tell me it is neither COC or CCC.

Is there anyone who has used an agent in China to negotiate on their behalf, perhaps on commission basis that they could recommend?

What kind of product you mean, sometimes quality inspectors can easily be bribed by your suppliers and Chinese factory pay attention to short-time profit rather that long-term profit and no proof.

 

[online translator]

I think that this is a very good iddea to make business with China. They have very cheap products

 

[MOIC]

Hi

If you need any professional help dealing with any Chinese factories, from Sourcing, to Quality Control, Inspections, Packing and Shipping, contact [email protected].

We are based in Guangzhou, China with a UK management team that adhere to UK quality standards.

No communication or cultural problems (Which translates to No mistakes) !

We will look after your needs.

Regards

Ron

 

[kenvosagro]

I am from China, doing some international trade, and having a factory, and have many friends in my industry, but not your industry. To be honest, there are thousand unserious customers on internet, so we must always keep eyes open; second, every customers ask us for lower prices, but you know, good quality need money, if you want the lowest price, we can just give you the low-grade products, just it. many times, some customers asked us the prices under our costs, what can we do? the third thing, there are many Chinese factories doing OEM, their products are very good, but they have very little profit. i am telling you, most of iPhone were produced in China, most Adidas from China, most high-pollution factories in China.

 

[miketaylor]

I am confident that sure I am dealing with a honest company.and i think my searching now complete.