Trade with China

[exportchina]

Most people feel difficult with Chinese, in term of language, distance and culture, i think language and culture is the most.
Lots of people do business with Chinese, from beginning talk to end payment, their worried thing is from price to credit, namely quality.
how to get rid of these annoyance? they decide to come to Chinese before chose several Chinese companies or take part in some business fair. But, do these work well? i can tell, a bit.
When you visit factory , are you sure you really know what they said or they got you clearly? are you sure it's really true what you see? are you sure what you purchase finally is equal to what you get at factory?
I do not mean China is full of cheat, there are cheat all of world, but when deal with all the things during the process, you can get rid all of worries.
From my experiences, some "cheat" is not really cheat, both parties misunderstand each other. There are a lot of Chinese cannot speak English or poor in English, but why they also do international business, Trade companies can help them, or help both of you. can you certainly reassure trade company or some B2B website named audited company?
From my experience, i do not trust anything, i trust myself, from understanding their culture and their company . of course , i look for a long terms cooperation, but one-shot deal.
how do you do business with Chinese, using B2B web site? visit China? take part in a fair? or hair a trading company?or some ways else, i believe all business men have their own skills.

 

[James Greg]

Well it is not always possible to visit china. There's a good chance of visiting trade shows and seeing what is being made by whom. The real trouble with Chinese trading is certainly the language factor and if Chinese people want to work in the international market they should at least hire a correspondent who is fluent in English so minimize the risk of misunderstandings.

Quality is one of a major reason why people are reluctant and hesitate to buy Chinese products. Take mobile phones for instance. If china can make exact replicas in appearance why does it lack in updating the software as well? Making a living by selling just replicas is not a long term game. I've used once a replica and never returned to buy another why? Because the software is too out fashioned and it was never updated. Also other products are not of such good quality and no trader ever agrees to give any type of guarantee for it. The reply is always the same for a Chinese product ranging from $2 to $999. It's just as it is if it's broken or faces any other fault there's nothing to be done.

I think Chinese businessmen should now grow up and start concentrating on quality after all they have made a place in the international market.

 

[ekkopal]

Hi ExportChina, actually all the methods you mentioned are common pratices for those doing business with China. As a Chinese myself, I think it's always highly recommended for foreign buyers to actually get to meet your suppliers in person. The frenquency of your visit shall be decided by the volume you're buying from them. When you're arranging the factory visit, make sure the factory owner/boss will be attending the meeting. On most occassions, the actual factory owners don't speak English but it's still good to have him/her in the meeting with the help of factory's English speaking staff or your Chinese agent.

Your personal visit, flying all the way from the country thousands of miles away from China, means a lot to your relationship with the factory/supplier. Factory will know that you're a serious buyer and what's more, you can lay out your quality, delivery and other business standards and requirements clearly with factory when you're meeting with them.

 

[exportchina]

Well it is not always possible to visit china. There's a good chance of visiting trade shows and seeing what is being made by whom. The real trouble with Chinese trading is certainly the language factor and if Chinese people want to work in the international market they should at least hire a correspondent who is fluent in English so minimize the risk of misunderstandings.

Quality is one of a major reason why people are reluctant and hesitate to buy Chinese products. Take mobile phones for instance. If china can make exact replicas in appearance why does it lack in updating the software as well? Making a living by selling just replicas is not a long term game. I've used once a replica and never returned to buy another why? Because the software is too out fashioned and it was never updated. Also other products are not of such good quality and no trader ever agrees to give any type of guarantee for it. The reply is always the same for a Chinese product ranging from $2 to $999. It's just as it is if it's broken or faces any other fault there's nothing to be done.

I think Chinese businessmen should now grow up and start concentrating on quality after all they have made a place in the international market.

I agree with your point of China company at least hires a staff who is fluent in English. There are lots of problems existing in China business. for instance, there are lots of companies have their own English speaking staff communicating business questions and contacting with customers by themselves. But some of this kind of factories lack of power of independent exporting, they just export products through trading company who can get export rebates, that way, such factories only can get more profits by cost reduction, i think from my words you can understand why the quality is not high and the product is not updated .
From my understanding about China mobile phone, most of Chinese salary men and students rarely buy China native mobile, except HTC(a China good brand produced by CMCC). the disadvantages of China mobile is same as you said. and i think such condition will be there for a long time unless innovation appear.

 

[exportchina]

Hi ExportChina, actually all the methods you mentioned are common pratices for those doing business with China. As a Chinese myself, I think it's always highly recommended for foreign buyers to actually get to meet your suppliers in person. The frenquency of your visit shall be decided by the volume you're buying from them. When you're arranging the factory visit, make sure the factory owner/boss will be attending the meeting. On most occassions, the actual factory owners don't speak English but it's still good to have him/her in the meeting with the help of factory's English speaking staff or your Chinese agent.

Your personal visit, flying all the way from the country thousands of miles away from China, means a lot to your relationship with the factory/supplier. Factory will know that you're a serious buyer and what's more, you can lay out your quality, delivery and other business standards and requirements clearly with factory when you're meeting with them.

Obviously visiting is a good way to build up first impression, but judging a customer is a real or fake cannot form visiting China or not. you know there are a lot of business men live in thousands miles away from China, so the cost during the way should be reduced in the product cost which they want to buy. i think i will do like this, every business i decide to do, i will count the costed money .
If you are a sensitive business men you will catch a real business from immaterial information. an e-commerce world should has it's own game principle.

 

[findnewland]

If you want to check a supplier in China I think the best way is let the third party to check it.the third party should not a trader because the competitive relation.Maybe the freight forwarder is a good choise.

 

[James Greg]

Hi ExportChina, actually all the methods you mentioned are common pratices for those doing business with China. As a Chinese myself, I think it's always highly recommended for foreign buyers to actually get to meet your suppliers in person. The frenquency of your visit shall be decided by the volume you're buying from them. When you're arranging the factory visit, make sure the factory owner/boss will be attending the meeting. On most occassions, the actual factory owners don't speak English but it's still good to have him/her in the meeting with the help of factory's English speaking staff or your Chinese agent.

Your personal visit, flying all the way from the country thousands of miles away from China, means a lot to your relationship with the factory/supplier. Factory will know that you're a serious buyer and what's more, you can lay out your quality, delivery and other business standards and requirements clearly with factory when you're meeting with them.

Ekkopal, What you are suggesting is only accessible to large scale businessmen. If someone has just started a business and does not posses enough amount to cover all such expenses then such an option is clearly washed out from his list. Traveling is not so easy and a person running a sole proprietor business cannot afford to close his business for such a long period and travel around china buying small amounts of products.

 

[James Greg]

I agree with your point of China company at least hires a staff who is fluent in English. There are lots of problems existing in China business. for instance, there are lots of companies have their own English speaking staff communicating business questions and contacting with customers by themselves. But some of this kind of factories lack of power of independent exporting, they just export products through trading company who can get export rebates, that way, such factories only can get more profits by cost reduction, i think from my words you can understand why the quality is not high and the product is not updated .
From my understanding about China mobile phone, most of Chinese salary men and students rarely buy China native mobile, except HTC(a China good brand produced by CMCC). the disadvantages of China mobile is same as you said. and i think such condition will be there for a long time unless innovation appear.

I didn't know HTC belonged to china. The products are awesome and have their worth in the global market. This is a very good sign and others should take an inspiration from it and learn from it. China as I understand is still focusing on quantity rather than quality. Businessmen should now consider on the latter as customers prefer to buy such products that are reliable and would cost them less. The government should try to solve such problems and this would surely benefit the country.

 

[ekkopal]

Ekkopal, What you are suggesting is only accessible to large scale businessmen. If someone has just started a business and does not posses enough amount to cover all such expenses then such an option is clearly washed out from his list. Traveling is not so easy and a person running a sole proprietor business cannot afford to close his business for such a long period and travel around china buying small amounts of products.

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Sure, for buyers of small product quantities, it doesn't make sense,economically, for them to come all the way to see how the product is produced. For small business, it's always better to go with a sourcing agent or trade company in the beginning.

 

[ekkopal]

I agree with your point of China company at least hires a staff who is fluent in English. There are lots of problems existing in China business. for instance, there are lots of companies have their own English speaking staff communicating business questions and contacting with customers by themselves. But some of this kind of factories lack of power of independent exporting, they just export products through trading company who can get export rebates, that way, such factories only can get more profits by cost reduction, i think from my words you can understand why the quality is not high and the product is not updated .
From my understanding about China mobile phone, most of Chinese salary men and students rarely buy China native mobile, except HTC(a China good brand produced by CMCC). the disadvantages of China mobile is same as you said. and i think such condition will be there for a long time unless innovation appear.

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I disagree with you on your statement on the tax rebate thing. When a Chinese factory doesn't have export license and is not entitled to tax rebate from the government for their exported goods, they don't have to pay VAT either.

P.S. I am using a 3G mobile phone produced by Coolpad and as far as know, quite a lot of my friends are using mobile phones produced by China local brands too.

 

[exportchina]

I didn't know HTC belonged to china. The products are awesome and have their worth in the global market. This is a very good sign and others should take an inspiration from it and learn from it. China as I understand is still focusing on quantity rather than quality. Businessmen should now consider on the latter as customers prefer to buy such products that are reliable and would cost them less. The government should try to solve such problems and this would surely benefit the country.

Htc belonged to China, but i don't know whether they do exportation or not, only in China native, it's a good selling item and it's market share is beyond other native brand's capability.
IMO, not most China businessmen not focus on quantity rather than quality, after all, good quality can maintain long term business, up to large mount of quantity. as i said, there are a lots problems existing in China middle and small companies, the salary of workers is not so much, and firms lack of money to update equipment, therefor, careless production and backward technology cause low-grade quality, meanwhile , their price is low.
If you want to buy high quality products, i think it's better to target large company, they own long history and advanced technology and never treat worker properly and give them corresponding treatment of social security. as i know , there is little buyers would care this,but only this buyers can get more potential information about pre-suppliers.

The government had been making great effort on this, due to the large population, the result is not satisfactory.

 

[exportchina]

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I disagree with you on your statement on the tax rebate thing. When a Chinese factory doesn't have export license and is not entitled to tax rebate from the government for their exported goods, they don't have to pay VAT either.

P.S. I am using a 3G mobile phone produced by Coolpad and as far as know, quite a lot of my friends are using mobile phones produced by China local brands too.

For most firms, the big reason of exportation is to get government tax rebate. IMO. the biggest fault of most exporters do not know how to earn money for exportation, they just focus on sales not margin. their own as long as customers can get orders on it, quick money mentality and do not care customer services .
I do not know coolpad mobile, no comment.

 

[James Greg]

Htc belonged to China, but i don't know whether they do exportation or not, only in China native, it's a good selling item and it's market share is beyond other native brand's capability.
IMO, not most China businessmen not focus on quantity rather than quality, after all, good quality can maintain long term business, up to large mount of quantity. as i said, there are a lots problems existing in China middle and small companies, the salary of workers is not so much, and firms lack of money to update equipment, therefor, careless production and backward technology cause low-grade quality, meanwhile , their price is low.
If you want to buy high quality products, i think it's better to target large company, they own long history and advanced technology and never treat worker properly and give them corresponding treatment of social security. as i know , there is little buyers would care this,but only this buyers can get more potential information about pre-suppliers.

The government had been making great effort on this, due to the large population, the result is not satisfactory.

Factories not treating their employees well is a matter that is everywhere. Yes I agree that the customer can force the factory to make life better for their workers. Large companies can produce quality stuff - agreed but they also demand the customer picks a large quantity of their products and the price becomes different. Small companies can make a delivery of 50 pcs as well but a large company would require a purchase of min 1000pcs or so. Small businessmen cannot afford to work with large companies and that's why products of cottage industries have flocked the market and due to their low grade quality and products available in abundance Chinese products have now been tagged as uncertain products.

This is what I have experienced what I am telling you, if a person has enough money to spend on a product he never thinks of visiting a Chinese store be it apparel or electronics just because it China made. So I would stress on it again China needs to upgrade it's quality and maintain low price to be the dominating market leader.

 

[exportchina]

Factories not treating their employees well is a matter that is everywhere. Yes I agree that the customer can force the factory to make life better for their workers. Large companies can produce quality stuff - agreed but they also demand the customer picks a large quantity of their products and the price becomes different. Small companies can make a delivery of 50 pcs as well but a large company would require a purchase of min 1000pcs or so. Small businessmen cannot afford to work with large companies and that's why products of cottage industries have flocked the market and due to their low grade quality and products available in abundance Chinese products have now been tagged as uncertain products.

This is what I have experienced what I am telling you, if a person has enough money to spend on a product he never thinks of visiting a Chinese store be it apparel or electronics just because it China made. So I would stress on it again China needs to upgrade it's quality and maintain low price to be the dominating market leader.

Different businessmen have different requirements on China products. i can understand small businessmen remain pay attention to China products even they have ever troubled by one business experience, because Chinese products still have their own opportunity among some market. i also agree with you that most China middle or small companies should stress on quality not quantity. as i know, from last year, there are lots of companies began to transfer their business to importation with benefiting from China commerce policy.

 

[kely]

I don't think it's difficult to do business with Chinese company. Many people think the products made in China are good quality with competitive price.
Or why so many foreigners come to China to get what they want.

Actually, many people can speak English fluent

 

[James Greg]

I don't think it's difficult to do business with Chinese company. Many people think the products made in China are good quality with competitive price.
Or why so many foreigners come to China to get what they want.

Actually, many people can speak English fluent

I agree China can make good quality products, it can produce products of all qualities. But what the market receives at large is not that what should be expected from china.

Anyways to cut it short China is no doubt a giant in the business community all over the world but it's image is not that popular as compared to Japanese products. What China should now emphasize on is stop making replicas of everything and be innovative and create something of it's own.

I was so disappointed to find out that China made replicas of Toyota Land cruisers of "D" grade quality. For your reference they name it "GO NOW". Replicas days are over.

 

[arunad]

Made-in-China.com Buyer Service Team has dedicated itself to providing professional support and assistance to its members with the goal of helping global buyers do business with Chinese suppliers.they can provide the following services.

 

[promotionalgifts supplier]

Yes,i can't agree with you more...We only improve ourself to make us more convenient to communicate with our customers.

 

[SAS1001]

So how would I check the 'credit-worthiness' of a supplier in China if I am in UK and wanted to start dealing with them?

 

[Kimmy Chen]

I think business is based on honesty and sincerity.

 

[lingsd]

there are cheats in all of the world,the same to China,
from b2b,visit factory to meet the key people face to face ,and take a fair,these are only the method to get in touch with the supplier,buyer should get the feeling with your supplier,if you think you can trust them,then go on,otherwise stop!
time is the best test tool.
we are supplier,and we are pleased the buyer visit us,not only he feeling us,we will feeling him too.business is mutual risk .
machine parts supplier from Ningbo

 

[jackspan1]

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[bambobambo]

yes ,we always do foreign business through B2B,chat online ,business fair ,and so on,we can judge the credit and trust each other well at last.
all of our products are with CE and FDA certificates.

 

[rula]

I think you can find a reliable native chinese people to check the good for you and in charge of the export process .that can avoid most of risk .

I am a native chinese girl , if you need me help you can contact me free

 

[Daniel Hoare]

Quality control from China seems to be a hot topic in this Forum , I’m from London but moved to China some years ago where I now live, I deal constantly with Chinese factories, suppliers and am heavily involved in product development and QC , I’m interested in helping people with issues regarding development and QC and am generally interested in hearing peoples stories both positive and negative.

I look forward to our discussion , giving advice or doing business.



Dan