Many importers have a bad relationship with their key Chinese supplier(s), but they don't look for other companies. Sometimes it leads to unbelievable situations. For example, some buyers got screwed on 3 orders in a row by the same … [Read more...]
Archives for June 2011
Why does it take so much time to manufacture in China?
Recently I saw a few friends based in France. One of them said "maybe I should get this manufactured in China, and do a quick market test." Would it really be quick? Only in their dreams. I had to explain a few basics about Chinese … [Read more...]
QC inspections on a platform: pros and cons
The vast majority of quality inspection services (either through a third-party provider or by the buyer's staff) takes place in the factory. But some of them are performed on a "platform", which is basically a warehouse where the goods … [Read more...]
Are your orders too small to buy in China?
The CSIC just published another good article (Too small to go factory direct?), which adds up all the fixed costs of buying in China. From their calculations, it takes about 5,000 USD for visiting & qualifying one supplier, and for … [Read more...]
Why the garment industry is different
I have worked in the garment industry since 2005. Over the last couple of years, I started to help purchasers of other products (from tools to furniture and electronics), and I realized the "right way to go" was different. I am also a … [Read more...]
Chinese factories: the restaurant analogy
Many people in Europe and in the US think of factories are large organizations where everyone follows a standard procedure. Quality and lead times are consistent because of detailed planning, and because it doesn't matter if a few cogs … [Read more...]
What to do after receiving bad quality products from China?
From time to time, a reader who has received unacceptable products asks me how they can force a Chinese supplier to refund an order. My response is usually "forget it, and do things right on your next order (make sure you read about best … [Read more...]
Complaints about China suppliers
Last year, Gartner came up with a study about the problems of importers in China. It listed the following issues: Fake certificates Price increases after the order is confirmed Reduction of product quality over time Frequent … [Read more...]
The different types of injury sources
Many importers think of a new product and want to manufacture it in a Chinese factory, often without paying an engineer for DFM. Unfortunately, the manufacturer will seldom think of all the mistakes to avoid. I found a good typology of … [Read more...]
Advantages of buying from a trader in China
Recently, I met a French person working in Shanghai. He and his partner have founded a trading company -- the word "traders" is part of their company's name. I asked him whether he felt this activity was harder and harder in the China … [Read more...]