If Clint Eastwood worked with importers, he might say this: You see in this world there's two kinds of buyers, my friend. Those who are clean, and those who need to ask favors from their suppliers. What I call the "clean" buyers have the … [Read more...]
How can China-based foreigners find quality control jobs?
On Sunday, an English teacher living in China asked me how he could get involved in quality control. And more specifically how he could perform a few inspections as a freelancer, to earn more money. This is really a case of … [Read more...]
The role of reputation in China OEM business
In the US or in Europe, private companies are very careful with their reputation. They know that angry customers tell their bad experiences to their friends. Poor customer service can kill a company, and this is more and more the case … [Read more...]
Pre-production inspection: what benefits for buyers?
A pre-production inspection takes place either before production starts (usually to check inputs) or at the very beginning of final assembly. It is the least frequently used among the four major types of quality inspections for most … [Read more...]
Inspection of fabric rolls in China
China is the largest exporter of apparel. There are several reasons for this: the low cost of labor, the know how in producing low-to-medium-end products, the great business environment, but also the low cost of fabrics. And, not … [Read more...]
How to get the best out of an inspection agency?
An importer can work with his inspection agency in vastly different ways. I distinguish mainly two opposite approaches that I noticed among my clients. A third-party quality control firm can be used as... 1. A provider of trained labor, … [Read more...]
Buying in China is a risky game
Buying directly in China is risky. Very risky, depending on the amount of money a company commits to a given order and to the steps it (doesn't) take to secure it. Exactly one week ago, a small American buyer told me "I should have … [Read more...]
Product inspections are also in the supplier’s interest!
These days I have a booth on the Electronics & Components trade show in Hong Kong. To my surprise, several manufacturers came to see me and asked for information. They took brochures and namecards, and told me they would refer us to … [Read more...]
Dangerous gases in containers
Last weekend I got an interesting email conversation with my friend Paul Wijmenga. He lives in Xiamen and helps European importers source softlines such as shoes and garments. Some of his shipments got stopped in the Port of Rotterdam … [Read more...]
10 Hard Truths For Small Buyers In China
New importers coming to China often wear rose-tinted glasses. They find nice samples and smiling salespeople at a trade show. Prices are often lower than they expected. And they reassure themselves with remarks such as "if other foreign … [Read more...]
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