Trip to the Philippines (China Layover)

I hope you have time before your trip to do some research in advance. Otherwise your trip will most likely be fruitless. Before you go you need to locate at least a couple of suppliers that look as though they can supply what you want and are reliable.

If you want to find manufacturers, don't use Alibaba. Most of the suppliers there claiming to be manufacturers are not.

There are some safe sites where you can be sure you have found real manufacturers, but I don't publish them online for the simple reason that there is a lot that you need to know before you start sourcing.

I won't throw someone in the deep end until they learn to swim.

See my thread: If your secret B2B portals are so safe why don't you share? where you will find a lot of helpful information.

Walter Hay

That's good. I suggest you limit your search to manufacturers in Shanghai rather than other centers even if they are within traveling distance. Here are a few hints:

Shanghai is a huge city and travel times are very slow, so you need to allow plenty of time to get from one place to another. Don't expect quick in and out visits either.

If you have gone to the trouble to visit a business, they will treat you as an honored guest and that will usually involve sitting in a lounge area and drinking jasmine flavored green tea. NOTE: If you empty your little cup it will be immediately refilled.

After those preliminary pleasantries you can get down to business, but don't ask about price at this first contact. Far better if you have already had a series of email communications with them before you arrive, then you could talk about price.

Make sure you take business cards with you, preferably printed in Mandarin on one side and English on the other. The exchange of business cards is a very important ceremony. Don't put theirs straight into your pocket or wallet. That is considered bad manners.

Don't make commitments on this first visit. The next business you visit may offer a much better deal.

Be sure to take several of your hotel's business cards with you for taxi drivers so that you can be sure to find your way back there.

For some more information you might like to look at my AMA thread: Ask Me Anything About Product Sourcing And Importing For Profit. ― Veteran Importer Here. You might like to ask me some questions on that thread.

Walter Hay

Wait a minute: did you just say "20 HOURS layover"?!
I'm honestly baffled by your question, as I don't remotely see how on earth you can get the chance to do a fraction of what you intended to do, in less than 24hr..

Imagine your flight arrives in Shanghai at 1pm, time to collect your luggage, pass immigration and heading for a taxi and is probably already 2pm. In less than 2hrs you may get to the hotel, check in, take a shower and change your cloths and is already 4pm. Off you go again on a taxi heading to the meeting with the Company Rep you previously agreed with to meet at 6pm. You tell him you are on a rush so he shows you everything in less than 2 hrs, and your stomach tells you is time for dinner now: 8pm.
Still any meeting scheduled for 9pm? I doubt it. Day after you'll want to get to the airport 2hrs before your next flight departure time at 9am. Any chance for an early bird meeting at around 4am?!...

20hrs layover? take a good book and a comfy, inflatable camping-mattress with you, they might come handy

Well I have 20 hours both ways, so more like 40 hours overall. I know I can realistically maybe meet with one or two manufacturers at most. In terms of sleep I don't plan on in, and instead plan on taking a nap on the flight there. Maybe I am being too optimistic, but I have managed less in other places in a day (Boston and Panama City come to mind in particular).

On a side note, is the Canton Fair worth checking out? (For future trips.) I have heard they are better than Alibaba in some regards, but I wanted input on it. Thanks!