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Sourcing Manufacturers Offline

by mguy
11 replies
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Say you get to your target country (in Asia for example) or are staying there for a temporary period, how exactly do you find these manufacturers yourself?
#manufacturers #offline #sourcing
  • Profile picture of the author mguy
    Is this a secret?
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  • Profile picture of the author mguy
    This is all for selling online, just want to know where to find them.
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  • Profile picture of the author Importexport
    Originally Posted by mguy View Post

    Say you get to your target country (in Asia for example) or are staying there for a temporary period, how exactly do you find these manufacturers yourself?
    Hi mguy,

    The process starts off in much the same way as you would do if you were outside of Asia, but being present there will give you a great advantage.

    Local directories will be of very little use to you, so you will need to look at B2B sourcing sites just as you would if you were in another country.

    If you don't speak Chinese you can still make your initial contact by phone. Chances are it will be answered with the customary Chinese greeting that sounds like "Hwaaay". Just ask to speak to someone who speaks English. The telephone operator will almost invariably understand and will often speak English anyway.

    It is best to confirm that they are manufacturers before you make any contact. Otherwise you will waste a lot of time. Using the popular sourcing sites like madeinChina.com, DhGate, Tradekey, Alibaba, etc. won't help much because most suppliers listed as manufacturers are traders, and you are right in only wanting to deal with manufacturers.

    I teach how to safely source whether from outside or inside the Asian country, but there is so much you need to know before you start that I could not post all 37 pages of my book here.

    For example, are you familiar with Chinese business and social customs? Do you know the significance of black clothing or white clothing? Do you know the protocols regarding business cards, such as the fact that you should hand them over using both hands and that you should not just slip them straight into your pocket when you receive one?

    If you make good contacts, it is important that you arrange to visit the factory. There are ways to determine if the factory is owned by the company you are dealing with, but if you just ask, you will almost always be told yes, even if it is not. That may be deceit, but may just be Chinese courtesy, because Chinese culture uses the word yes very differently to the way it is used in the West.

    It can mean: maybe, no, possibly, I hope so, I think so, it belongs to our supplier, or sometimes it means Yes.

    As you can see from these few examples, there is a lot of homework to be done before you start.
    Signature
    Use emotions and perceptions to build a great brand. Ask me about my book LabelsThatExploit. For safe sourcing and easy importing from 41 countries globally, see https://provenglobalsourcing.com
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  • Profile picture of the author mguy
    What are these "local directories" and how do I go about finding one?
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    • Profile picture of the author Importexport
      Originally Posted by mguy View Post

      What are these "local directories" and how do I go about finding one?
      The local directories I refer to are Yellow Pages. Print editions are still widely used in China, but they are really only for locals to use.

      I have used them mainly to check on addresses when I have been preparing to visit a factory, but I would not use them for product sourcing.
      Signature
      Use emotions and perceptions to build a great brand. Ask me about my book LabelsThatExploit. For safe sourcing and easy importing from 41 countries globally, see https://provenglobalsourcing.com
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  • Profile picture of the author malia
    If you can, start with a trade show. That's probably the easiest for a first-timer. Also note that most Asian countries make things in certain geographic areas. Go to China, which is HUGE, you could go somewhere that's known for manufacturing one thing and find out something else you're interested in is 800 miles away.

    Contact a local trade consulate before your trip and see if they can help you plan.
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    • Profile picture of the author mguy
      Originally Posted by malia View Post

      If you can, start with a trade show. That's probably the easiest for a first-timer. Also note that most Asian countries make things in certain geographic areas. Go to China, which is HUGE, you could go somewhere that's known for manufacturing one thing and find out something else you're interested in is 800 miles away.

      Contact a local trade consulate before your trip and see if they can help you plan.
      Trade show consulate? What is that? Is that a private or government unit?
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      • Profile picture of the author Importexport
        Originally Posted by mguy View Post

        Trade show consulate? What is that? Is that a private or government unit?
        A trade consul is attached to a consulate and is a diplomat who acts as a commercial representative of the government they represent.

        They will usually only provide help if you are reasonably specific about the type of product you want to buy and import. If it is a commonly available item they will usually just refer you to a B2B website.

        If you are lucky it might be an official government website, but most countries do not have user friendly sites for product sourcing.

        Regardless of what country in Asia you plan on visiting, it is essential that you do your homework before visiting. You can locate genuine manufacturers and begin discussions with them from home.

        This gives you a great advantage when you arrive in the country if you are going to visit or even live there for a while. You will not be treated as an opportunist, but will be taken seriously.

        It can also save you a lot of fruitless travel. As Malia pointed out, China is a huge country and in keeping with the Asian business custom, producers or sellers of any given type of product tend to congregate in one area. That is not universal and you may find a manufacturer well outside the usual geographical area favored by their trade.

        Trade shows are a good starting point, but again, if you plan on visiting a trade show in China, HK or other Asian locations, prepare well before you go. Know who is exhibiting, and have preparatory discussions with them so that you are not like a dog chasing its tail as you wander through acres and acres of exhibition stands.

        What I have written here is a brief extract from my book, and even if you don't choose to buy it, you should consider getting expert advice from someone before committing yourself to an expensive trip.

        Oh yes, don't forget to avoid public holidays, festivals, the typhoon season, Chinese New Year etc...... Sometimes if there is a really big Trade Show in a city you can find it hard to get accommodation. You might have to settle for 3 star, and believe me, you cannot imagine what that is like.

        There are Trade Shows held in many countries other than in Asia, and you might find one within reasonable travel distance of where you live now. They are often worth visiting, but the rule about preparation still applies, even if it is in your own backyard. Just remember that many of the exhibitors will be traders, not manufacturers.
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        Use emotions and perceptions to build a great brand. Ask me about my book LabelsThatExploit. For safe sourcing and easy importing from 41 countries globally, see https://provenglobalsourcing.com
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  • Profile picture of the author kylepurity
    Hi mguy, if you want to do business with a Chinese company specializing in fastening technology, please contact me.We can supply custom machined products as well

    Please kindly be advised that we Suzhou M.Y. Fastener Co.,Ltd are specialising in fastening technology.

    We are strongly confident you will recognize our reputable fastening piece for unique design and strictly quality control. You may also visit our online company introduction at www.myfastener.com.cn

    BTW, we made a E-book of Catalog. please download at https://docs.google.com/file/d/0By76...it?usp=sharing ,thanks! (please note this file is in form of .exe,but it is not a virus)

    Hope we can establish good business relationship in the future, thanks!

    If any problems please feel free to ask us, thanks!


    Best Regards
    Kyle_Sheng(Mr.)
    Suzhou M.Y. Fastener Co., Ltd
    No.3,YongAnRoad.NewDistrict,SuZhou, P.R.of China
    Zip:215151
    Mobil phone 0086-13812618315
    Tel: 0086-512-66727736 Fax: 0086-512-66720008
    E-mail: kyle@myfastener.com.cn and m.y.fastener.sz@gmail.com
    Skype:kylepurity
    Website:www.myfastener.com.cn
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  • Profile picture of the author mguy
    I am not going to be doing business in CHINA. I am targeting another Asian country.
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    • Profile picture of the author Importexport
      Originally Posted by mguy View Post

      I am not going to be doing business in CHINA. I am targeting another Asian country.
      Congratulations on thinking outside the China square.

      You might like to read the thread: Importers should consider countries other than China It only has 10 posts in total, so it will be a quick read. After you have read it, let me know if you have further questions.
      .
      Signature
      Use emotions and perceptions to build a great brand. Ask me about my book LabelsThatExploit. For safe sourcing and easy importing from 41 countries globally, see https://provenglobalsourcing.com
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