How to find suppliers in China
While you sourcing the Suppliers all over the Internet,It seems you have many choice,Thousands of Suppliers.But is it true that you can easily find the right one?
Well,Choosing the right supplier involves much more than scanning a series of price lists. Your choice will depend on a wide range of factors such as value for money, quality, reliability and service. How you weigh up the importance of these different factors will be based on your business’ priorities and strategy.
A strategic approach to choosing suppliers can also help you to understand how your own potential customers weigh up their purchasing decisions.
Price is important, but it shouldn’t be the only reason you choose a supplier. Lower prices may reflect poorer quality goods and services which, in the long run, may not be the most cost effective option. Be confident that your supplier can make a sufficient margin at the price quoted for the business to be commercially viable.
GETTING THE RIGHT SUPPLIER FOR YOUR BUSINESS
Know your needs
Make sure you know what you need. Don’t be tempted by sales pitches that don’t match your requirements. Understand the difference to your business between a strategic supplier, who provides goods or services that are essential to your business – such as high-value raw materials – and non-strategic suppliers who provide low-value supplies such as office stationery. You will need to spend much more time selecting and managing the former group than the latter.
Spend time on research
Choosing the right suppliers is essential for your business. Don’t try to save time by buying from the first supplier you find that may be suitable.
Ask around
People or other businesses with first-hand experience of suppliers can give you useful advice.
Credit check potential suppliers
It’s always worth making sure your supplier has sufficiently strong cash flow to deliver what you want, when you need it. A credit check will also help reassure you that they won’t go out of business when you need them most.
Price isn’t everything
Other factors are equally important when choosing a supplier – reliability and speed, for example. If you buy cheaply but persistently let down your customers as a result, they’ll start to look elsewhere.
Agree on service levels before you start
It’s a good idea to agree on service levels before you start trading so you know what to expect from your supplier – and they know what to expect from you. See our guide on how to manage your suppliers.
Don’t buy from too many suppliers…
It will be easier for you to manage – and probably more cost-effective – if you limit the number of sources you buy from. This is particularly the case with low value-added suppliers.
…but don’t have just a single supplier
It’s always worth having an alternative supply source ready to help in difficult times. This is particularly important with regard to suppliers strategic to your business’ success.
WHAT YOU SHOULD LOOK FOR IN A SUPPLIER
ReliabilityRemember – if they let you down, you may let your customer down.
QualityThe quality of your supplies needs to be consistent – your customers associate poor quality with you, not your suppliers.
Value for moneyThe lowest price is not always the best value for money. If you want reliability and quality from your suppliers, you’ll have to decide how much you’re willing to pay for your supplies and the balance you want to strike between cost, reliability, quality and service.
Strong service and clear communicationYou need your suppliers to deliver on time, or to be honest and give you plenty of warning if they can’t. The best suppliers will want to talk with you regularly to find out what needs you have and how they can serve you better.
Financial securityIt’s always worth making sure your supplier has sufficiently strong cash flow to deliver what you want, when you need it. A credit check will help reassure you that they won’t go out of business when you need them most.
A partnership approachA strong relationship will benefit both sides. You want your suppliers to acknowledge how important your business is to them, so they make every effort to provide the best service possible. And you’re more likely to create this response by showing your supplier how important they are to your business.