'This project is more difficult than we originally thought'
By David Dayton in 'Silk Road International' One of the most frustrating things that I hear on a regular basis from suppliers in China is some version of this: "This project is really difficult." I...
View ArticleSometimes nothing is better than something.
By David Dayton in 'Silk Road International' Sometimes getting something is just not better than getting nothing. For example, 60 percent of your order on time and the rest weeks later not only isn't...
View ArticleHidden commissions between China factories and sourcing agents
By Renaud Anjoran in 'Quality Inspection Blog' Five years ago, when I was working in Hong Kong, one of my friends (who imports from France) asked me for help. I found a few potential suppliers for her,...
View ArticleWorking with small Chinese manufacturers
By Renaud Anjoran in 'Quality Inspection Blog' If you need to produce in China, will you be better served by a small manufacturer, or by a large one? There is no short answer. It depends on many...
View ArticleTips to communicate effectively with Chinese suppliers
by Renaud Anjoran in 'Quality Inspection Blog' The Foreign Entrepreneurs In China blog posted a very interesting article: 36 Tips on How to Deal or Negotiate with your Chinese Suppliers.
View ArticleHow to handle production issues in China
by Renaud Anjoran in 'Quality Inspection Blog' I found an article that discusses "how solving issues in China can overflow into the manufacturing realm and affect your offshore production." The author...
View ArticleSourcing agents in China: the good and the ugly
by Renaud Anjoran in 'Quality Inspection Blog' A reader recently asked me how to find a good sourcing agent in China. Many dark stories involving rogue sourcing agents have shaped my opinion on this...
View ArticleDealing with Chinese suppliers
by Renaud Anjoran in 'Quality Inspection Blog' It is impossible to advise a generic way of dealing with Chinese suppliers (whether they are much bigger or much smaller than your company, whether or not...
View ArticleSometimes contracts are not enough
by David Dayton in 'Silk Road International' Sometimes contracts just don’t work. Sometimes you not only don’t get what you ordered but you’re left with no viable options for exit or resolution. Even...
View ArticleRed flags to suspect the supplier is not legit
by Mike Bellamy in 'China Sourcing Information Center' I asked about an item from eastXXXX-china.com. I wanted to know if pricing was in US dollars and was told yes. Next I asked about freight to the...
View ArticleDealing with children of the factory owner
by Mike Bellamy in the book "The Essential Reference Guide to China Sourcing” Some of the most professional account managers I have dealt with have been the owner’s relatives. However, some of the...
View ArticleCulture crash case study: Chinese suppliers and foreign buyers negotiate a...
by Mike Bellamy in the book "The Essential Reference Guide to China Sourcing" Expectations of partnerships/PO Westerners often complain that they thought the negotiations were complete only to learn...
View Article36 Tips on How to Deal or Negotiate with your Chinese Suppliers
by Clara Muriel Ruano in ‘Foreign Entrepreneurs in China blog’ During the last year, I have interviewed several entrepreneurs who source products from Chinese factories. Their tips and insights are...
View ArticleChina joint ventures. Are you on the same page?
by Dan Harris in 'China Law Blog' When it comes to forming China joint ventures, the biggest issue is obviously whether or not it makes sense to form one. The most important question relating to...
View ArticleGood guanxi gone bad. Connections can be fleeting.
Just had a discussion with a lawyer in my office on what can go wrong by “cutting legal corners” in China. I frequently have this discussion with clients who want us to take a shortcut (usually one...
View ArticleContracts or relationships? A concoction of west and east may be best
An important element of doing business in China is called “Guanxi”. Guanxi is the relationship between two people where they feel some moral obligations to help each other out. In the West, however,...
View ArticleThe best way to do business with China. Joint venture, rep office, licensing...
Richard Brubaker over at All Roads Lead to China just did an interesting post on the return of China Joint Ventures. The post is entitled “Who is up for another round of Joint Ventures,” and its...
View ArticleNon-material change…that can materially impact you
Article 31 of Contract Law of the People’s Republic of China in summary states that if someone accepts an offer, but in their acceptance makes a non-material change of the offer, acceptance is still...
View ArticleTranslations for communication in China
Here is one more list of Chinese translations. The last ones were: Useful Chinese translations for buyers going to factories Chinese translations for quality control
View ArticleSelling product in China through your China manufacturer. It’s complicated.
As China’s consumer market continues to grow, we have of late been dealing with an increase in requests from clients who want to sell into China the products they are already having manufactured there...
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