How to Find a Reliable Sourcing Partner in China
Embarking on the path to finding a reliable sourcing partner in China can be both exciting and daunting. As an entrepreneur, you need to find a trustworthy sourcing partner in China that can deliver when it comes to suppliers, manufacturing, factories, logistics, drop shipping, and other China sourcing services.
With so many sourcing companies online claiming to be the best, how can you know who to trust? Plus, internet profiles can only go so far. It is critical to find a trustworthy sourcing partner in China that can back up all that they promise.
There can be a real price advantage to manufacturing in China. In this post you’ll discover different ways to find a reliable sourcing partner in China and find out what to do once you’ve narrowed down your selection.
In most cases, the first step a business takes in finding a good sourcing company in China is to go down different search avenues. An Internet search is one way to do things, but other ways to consider when starting the process may include:
- Trade Shows & Conventions in China
- And word of mouth referrals
Explore Trade Shows & Conventions in China
We understand that not everyone has the time, money, or resources to travel to China for trade shows, but if you do, you may find it to be worth your while.
Trade shows, conventions, and fairs in China are great opportunities to meet prospective sourcing companies and factories in person and see what they’re all about.
The Canton Fair, for example, is China’s largest Import-Export Convention. Held twice a year in April and October in Guangzhou, China, the Canton Fair has been running for 66 years (since 1957). All industries that make physical products exhibit at the fair, which is held in three phases:
- Electronics, Machinery, Building Materials, and Chemical Products
- Consumer Goods, Home Decor, and Gifts
- Textiles, Recreational Products, Office Supplies, Shoes, Medical Devices, and Health Products
Visiting both the Canton Fair as well as other trade shows in China could help you as an inventor learn about MOQs, see product details in the flesh, test out samples, and get a better idea of quality. It could also be incredibly useful to meet a large variety of suppliers and sourcing partners.
Word of Mouth Referrals for China Sourcing Companies
Word-of-mouth referrals are some of the most reliable sources for ensuring a good experience with a sourcing company in China like China Sourcing International (CSI). This is especially useful if you don’t have the capacity to travel to China to vet different companies for yourself. For more information about CSI, please call us at +1 (888) 915-1060
If you have connections within your internal network, ask them for recommendations for a reliable sourcing agency in China. Alternatively, you could conduct an online search and find a sourcing company with great reviews. From there, make sure to ask for references and actually follow up with them to verify the company’s credibility.
Once you’ve narrowed down your selection to a few sourcing companies, the next step is to assess them.
Know that Social Media Isn’t All That it Seems
Social media can be a tool for many businesses to boost credibility, but don’t put too much weight into it when finding a trustworthy sourcing partner in China. While some sourcing companies in China may be on social media with rave reviews about their products and services, it is important to proceed with caution. Some reviews could be unverified, anecdotal, or simply untrue.
Using social media as a touchpoint for reference is fine, but avoid relying on it as your only mode of verification. It’s true that a legitimate sourcing company will have at least some sort of online presence (at the very least an updated website with accurate information). Let that be your standard rather than a social media following. See our post on Reasons to Hire a Sourcing Agent in China.
Verify the Authenticity of Chinese Sourcing Partners
Not sure how reliable the Chinese sourcing company you’re vetting is? Ask for their credentials. A trustworthy sourcing partner in China will have documentation and certifications. This information will be more meaningful than online reviews, as it will indicate the business’ registration certificates and confirm dates to make sure everything is legitimate.
From there, it is your responsibility to cross-reference the information provided by the supplier and make sure it matches that on the business certification.
Another good idea is to set up an online meeting with the sourcing company you are considering as a sort of interview. Prepare a list of FAQ questions and listen carefully to how they respond:
- How long have they been in business?
- What type of products have they manufactured?
- Have they worked with any big-name companies they can share?
- Are they willing to provide client references?
- Can they show their business registration?
- How is this company different from their competitors? Watch out for generic responses here. Ask them specifically about what they can offer that other companies cannot.
- Are they multilingual? How well does their team speak both English and Mandarin? This is a critical factor to consider, as it will help mitigate or at least lower the risk of miscommunication if they can accurately convey your product’s vision to the factory down to the detail. This will be instrumental in helping you build high quality products that exceed your expectations.
Three Red Flags to Look Out For
- Sourcing companies that cannot answer simple questions related to their processes. This includes giving long-winded answers that never fully answer your question.
- Companies that are not upfront about their pricing structure.
- Contradictory or inaccurate information either on their website or in person.
Contact China Sourcing International
Here at China Sourcing International, we are proud to call ourselves one of the premier sourcing partners in China. With over 8,000 successful orders in our portfolio, our sourcing agents work across more than 300 product categories to deliver clients reliable manufacturing solutions they can trust.
Get in touch with us today to see how we can be your reliable sourcing company in China.
Call us at +1 (888) 915-1060
