Before you read this post, I have to emphasize that some Chinese trading companies here--including Hong Kong--truly create value for their customers. What I wrote below does not apply to all intermediaries. But I observed it so many … [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...]
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...]
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...]
Chinese factories: the temptation of inner provinces
The Chinese factories that produce and export consumer products are mostly along the coast. There are no good statistics about this, but I estimate that more than 90% are in the provinces of Guangdong, Fujian, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and … [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 get … [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...]
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...]
Checking the export cartons
The export cartons are the cartons handled during transport to the importing country. Many importers leave the cartons' specifications up to the supplier's choice, but in Asia this can be a big mistake. Properly-designed export cartons … [Read more...]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 38
- 39
- 40
- 41
- 42
- …
- 44
- Next Page »