Finding a new supplier is not an entirely simple and straightforward process, especially for those who never import before. If you have listed some potential suppliers, and do not know how to choose the right one, check this article, we’ll guide you through the below factors of finding a reliable supplier in China.
About the factory:
- Big enough – Have a range of products and a production capacity to supply products when you need them.
- Not too big – So they care about smaller customers starting out in the market.
- Investing in quality, technology, and environmentally sustainable production methods.
- Ideally able to provide customized products and branding for your business.
- Focused on quality – it’s easier to get the quality right than try and fix problems once they arrive in containers.
- Happy to work with you to get the range right and work on customized orders as required.
- A factory that is easy and straightforward to deal with.
- Offer OEM/ODM service.
About their products:
- Quality products that also look good.
- Costs that will give you a reliable price.
- A range of products that you can expand into.
- Good packaging – try to avoid damage during transport.
About their service:
- Good after-sale service.
- The sales can offer some guidance around 3-6 products (and their configurations) that are good sellers and might represent a core or “starter pack” for a first-time buyer.
- A template of specifications/ questions that will need to be addressed e.g. colour, thickness, knockdown or assembled, MOQ etc, that you could use when approaching and comparing potential suppliers.
- They can give some information that can help you expand your market, for example, the HD photos, the assembling videos.
- Their websites are good for getting an overview of products, but a downloadable catalogue with SKU’s and more detail is also useful.
Actually, there are some tips for steel furniture:
- Tip 1: Some trading companies also said they have their own factories. Let them have a video tour with you in their own factories.
- Tip 2: Gross or net weight is a good ruler for you to verify your potential suppliers. For example, after wearing a “coat”, one steel filing cabinet will become a thicker steel filing cabinet, not a heavier cabinet.
- Tip 3: To see is to believe. Although the process may be complicated and will have extra costs of transportation, a sample order can not only let you check every detail of the products, but also can let you experience the process and their service. So better to make a sample order first.
Want to know our answers to the above factors, let’s expect our following blogs.
JF Furniture, your supplier, your reliable partner!
Posted on 28th April, 2023.
By Mandy Luo, from Luoyang Jin Feng Office Furniture Co., Ltd.