Back when I was purchasing from Chinese suppliers, I was regularly frustrated by what seemed like irrational behaviors. I was wondering if some suppliers were just plain crazy, if they were incapable of consistency, or if they were faking … [Read more...]
Are Chinese suppliers trying to screw the foreigners?
Have Chinese companies screwed some foreigners? Yes, it happens, and not only in international trade. For examples, it seems like most joint-venture deals have performed poorly because the Chinese partner took advantage of the … [Read more...]
Quality standards imposed by the Chinese government
Many importers think that China does not really protect its own consumers, and the theory is that Chinese factories simply follow the (low to inexistent) quality standards of the local market. Wrong!! There is a great passage in the book … [Read more...]
Risks of miscommunication: an example with shipping marks
Everyone knows that risks of miscommunication are very high when purchasing from Asian suppliers. But sometimes an example can drive the point home more effectively than theoretical advice. Yesterday I reviewed a QC report from one of my … [Read more...]
How to control a Chinese supplier’s behavior?
I received several emails recently from readers asking how they can increase their control over a Chinese supplier. They experience late shipments, unacceptable quality, and/or price increases mid-way through production. Sometimes they … [Read more...]
Checking quality takes more time in the factory
Checking quality in a factory always takes longer than in an importer's warehouse. Sometimes I give a quotation to a client, who replies "why do you charge 2 days? It would only take me 1 day!" I never like to be suspected by my clients, … [Read more...]
Inspection during production: a necessity?
The inspection during production (or "DUPRO") is the second most frequent type of QC inspection, after the final random inspection (see the list of the major types of quality inspection services). … [Read more...]
Final Random Inspection: A Guide For Importers
The final random inspection is by far the most popular QC service in China (see my last post, where I listed the other major types of quality inspection services). It is suitable for nearly all types of consumer goods purchased in Asia. … [Read more...]
Corruption of inspectors: the role of social pressure
Like in most business, most problems in the QC industry come from human factors. The main challenge to proper execution of our mission is without any doubt the risk of corruption of inspectors in factories. There are basically two types … [Read more...]
The 4 types of quality inspection services
Four types of quality inspection services are usually distinguished. Each one corresponds to a particular step in the production process. They are all part of the toolbox of every importer when it comes to buying in China and other low-cost … [Read more...]
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