How to find a real electronics manufacturer from China

DWolfe is right. There are now many suppliers posting on the forum offering products for sale. You have no idea who they are or how reliable they might be, so you do need to be careful otherwise you might be dealing with scammers.

You have already found one of the big problems with Alibaba, because most of the suppliers there claiming to be manufacturers are definitely not. Most of the big sourcing sites that people will suggest have the same problem.

Genuine manufacturers can be found on the few sites that I recommend, but I don't publish them online.

There are some very good reasons for that. The main one is because I have seen too many people go off half-cocked and get themselves into trouble, but you might like to look at the thread: If your secret B2B portals are so safe why don't you share? There you will find a lot of helpful information to consider before you get started.

I would not like to see anyone start sourcing overseas and trying to import just based on that helpful information, which only amounts to about 1/3 page out of the 83 pages that I have written on the subject.

The information on that thread is there mainly to give some idea of what is involved so that people don't rush in relying on the things posted on the forum by people who don't know much about importing.

I received another email just 2 days ago from a person who tried sourcing on Alibaba and thought they were safe dealing with a Gold Supplier. Now that they want a refund, the Gold Supplier does not even answer them.

Actually, most electronics manufacturers are located in Shenzhen. That includes usb flash drives, memory cards, and just about any other electronics products you can name.

I would like help finding a direct manufacturer as well. Thank you!

Starting with $200 is doing it the hard way, but it is possible, particularly when unit price per item is not a lot and when they are relatively small weight and small volume.

The hard part is getting a genuine manufacturer to supply those small orders, but that is possible. I have taught hundreds of people how to do it.

Most new buyers blow it with their first contact with a manufacturer. They wonder why they don't get replies. Here are just a few of the don'ts that you need to know:

• Don't tell them you are just starting.
• Don't tell them you are a sole trader. Use a business name, even if you just invent one.
• Don't ask them what is their MOQ. They will tell you soon enough.
• Don't grossly overstate your potential orders. Once they tell you their MOQ, suggest an order for maybe 10% of that quantity, but you must give a good reason.
• Don't tell them your business plan.
• Don't give them a link to your website if you have one.

At least if you know that much you will be more likely to get a reply, but then you have to work out what to do about shipping and payment.


I have students using my book who have had small quantities of some of your chosen products supplied with their own brand. You have heard of private labeling as the newest big thing? Well I have been doing it for many years.

Thanks for that Importexport.
Website is correct with those sites.
I would recommend tradekey but any of those sites should do the trick!

You have obviously been sourcing in the places that are usually recommended by "experts" and "gurus" on the forum.

I have only had one of my students report being scammed and that was because he did everything wrong.

• He went against my advice and used Alibaba for sourcing.
• He did not use my methods to make sure he was dealing with a real manufacturer.
• He paid by Western Union which my book specifically says not to use.

None of the many hundreds of my other students have reported any problems using my safe sourcing methods, and they manage to get the manufacturers to supply small orders at fantastically low prices.

I agree that you can't treat buying overseas in the same way as buying in your own country, but unfortunately many people do.

The deals can operate smoothly if people know what they are doing and that is what I have taught to the hundreds of my book readers who have successfully begun importing without any previous experience.

Using agents in the overseas country will inevitably cost more, not only because of their fees, but because you don't really know whether they are really just working for you. They could be working for themselves and getting a commission plus inflating the price. Or they could be working for the seller and getting kickbacks while leading you to believe they have found the best source for you.

Large companies do it because of the huge orders they place, and they can afford to deal with internationally recognized sourcing and inspection services. These don't come cheap.

For small newbies the process can be done safely and with confidence, and as I wrote in an earlier post None of the many hundreds of my other students have reported any problems using my safe sourcing methods, and they manage to get the manufacturers to supply small orders at fantastically low prices.

How does one go about finding a trustworthy, local agent on the ground?

Sorry Max, but your statement "Most chinese companies sell knockoffs and fakes." is not true. Those people who have been dealing with some of the popular sourcing sites will very likely meet up with plenty of knockoffs and fakes, but most genuine manufacturers don't advertise on those sites.

I certainly advise against using those sourcing sites and one thing that I continually check is whether that site allows their listed suppliers to advertise counterfeits. If they do, as far as I am concerned, that is a good enough reason to steer clear of that site.

What you say about selling fakes is true, but is only part of the story. Not only do such people run the risk of lawsuits that could bankrupt them, they are also breaking the law and some have been fined and some have even gone to prison.

Another consequence that most people never think of is that once Customs catch you, your name and address will be flagged by Customs and every shipment from then on will be delayed for a thorough inspection. If Customs have the slightest doubt they will seize those shipments and the importer has lost their money.

Of all the manufacturing businesses in China, only a tiny % would even consider selling fakes. Many of them do copy ideas, but they are very careful to do it within the laws covering Intellectual Property Rights.

Yes there are some manufacturers listed on Alibaba, but sorting them out from the huge number of traders pretending to be manufacturers is not easy.

I suggest you should read right through the entire thread for more information. Your comment has been dealt with in earlier posts.

I have never used a sourcing agent since I began importing in 1987. Also I have never bought from a wholesaler.

My motive in doing it myself has always been to maximize profits. Buying direct from the manufacturers is the only way to be sure you are getting real ex factory prices.

Many people gloat over the great prices they pay by buying from wholesalers, but they are ignorant of the huge extra profit margin they are missing out on.

Just look at the retail prices you see in the big stores and figure out how much they must be paying. Even if you just divide their retail by 2, you will arrive at an amazingly low figure, but I know that very often the price they pay is a lot less than 50% of their retail.

Now I know small fry won't be able to buy at those prices, but that is not the purpose of the exercise.

By looking at those prices and doing that simple calculation you get a faint idea of how low production costs really are in China. After all, the manufacturers are making a profit.

Buy from manufacturers and expect prices that you probably never thought possible.

There are lots of people based in China who, like the last two posters are offering their services as sourcing agents on the forum, and in this thread in particular.

I would urge new or intending importers to read right through this thread because that issue has been dealt with quite extensively.

There are potential hazards in dealing through sourcing agents and I have pointed out some of these matters in earlier posts.

I disagree with the need for Chinese representation. I have taught hundreds how to safely source products in China direct from real manufacturers and how to get the best price.

The great majority of my students have never visited China. I have visited countless times since I started exporting to China in 1978, and then importing since 1987.

My students benefit from my vast hands on experience and knowledge of how Chinese business works. The don't have the added cost of paying someone in China to do what they can easily do for themselves once they know how.

I have given a lot of information in my thread. There is a link to it in Post #41, but I suggest that Warriors should this read from the beginning first.

Walter Hay

You are repeating a myth that causes lots of newbies to think they can't afford to buy direct from manufacturers overseas.

MOQs are there for two main reasons.

• To deter newbies, time wasters and dreamers.
• The supplier is a trader, pretending to be a manufacturer.

I have taught hundreds of people how to ignore the MOQs published by suppliers and to successfully negotiate much smaller orders.


Walter Hay

Please give some real and helpful information instead of just stating the obvious.

Yes there are electronics suppliers in Pakistan. Good luck to anyone trying to find genuine and reliable ones.

Walter Hay
Provenchinasourcing.com

I assume you mean Aliexpress. There what you will find is usually very poor quality, and often illegal fakes or knockoffs, combined with poor service, and effectively no warranty.

Walter Hay
Provenchinasourcing.com