I found this on the
Alibaba U.K. International Trade Guide. It's interesting in that it lays out of the steps for getting the quality that you expect, being prepared, avoiding fraud and ensuring that you don't end up having to use the
Alibaba Fair Play Fund. And once again, it's all about doing your homework.
Have a read:
For business owners, there are plenty of compelling reasons to
source products from overseas. Not only are items generally provided at a lower cost, but in many cases, an international supplier may be the only option available.
While the positive aspects of working in the international market can be very attractive, it's crucial to remember that there are a variety of problems that can be encountered.
But for
smart buyers, careful planning and taking the time to do careful research can help you avoid the majority of difficulties entirely. In most cases, simply by confronting these issues early on, you will prevent them from becoming permanent barriers to success.
3 ways to ensure you're getting the quality you expect
As a retailer, the quality of the products you provide to your customers is of utmost importance. It doesn't matter if what you're selling costs 拢500 or 50p: if the product does not match client expectations, you will struggle to build a lucrative business.
Therefore, if you're going to
source your inventory from a global wholesaler, it's essential that you take steps to ensure the items you order are exactly what you and your customers will be expecting.
1. Get specific information
Once you find a
wholesaler that interests you, begin asking for descriptive information about the products you want to source. This can give you a very good idea of what the company is offering and if it's the sort of product you will want to sell.
For example, you might want to find out what the product is made from, how it is assembled, what the dimensions are, what materials are used to decorate it and how it is packaged, as well as its weight.
The questions you ask will depend on the particular item that you are ordering, but you should endeavour to be as thorough as possible, helping to ensure you don't get any unpleasant surprises when the first shipment arrives.
If it's appropriate, you can also ask for samples to be sent. Having the physical item in front of you can give you much more confidence in the quality of the product that you're going to be selling.
2. Check out the company's supply chain
Finding out where a company sources its raw materials from can also be beneficial, as it can help you ensure that the products are exactly what you're looking for.
Depending on the products that you want to sell, it may be a good idea to do a bit of research into the
supply chain to make sure that the materials they provide are consistent and fit for purpose.
You should also confirm that the company will actually be the one making your product. Sometimes, one
manufacturer will subcontract orders to another company. This could be due to a high workload, or the difficulty of the project. Whatever the case, this is something you should try to avoid, as it could result in unexpected delays, an inconsistent product or other similar difficulties.
3. Check their accreditations
Currently, there are a number of internationally recognised accreditations that companies can get. These have been designed to give you peace of mind that the organisation you choose to work with is trustworthy and follows a set code of conduct, both in house and when working with customers.
ISO 9001 is one such recognition. This is an indicator of good quality management and those who earn this accreditation have shown that they provide consistent products that meet customer expectations.
In some cases, it might also be appropriate to seek out companies that have achieved
Fair Trade certification, which means that they offer reasonable payment to producers and workers, as well as considering issues such as sustainability and community development.
Consider the language and cultural differences
When dealing with people from other countries, our first concern is probably the language barrier. And it's true that this can lead to confusion or other such problems.
If you don't speak the local language, don't assume that somebody at the company will speak English - although it's likely they will. Always look into the language situation early on and keep this in mind when making a final decision.
Additionally, it's important to remember that
business practices around the world vary significantly and it can sometimes cause difficulties. Before starting communications with a company, be sure to do a bit of research to find out a bit more about their culture, and try to be both patient and flexible when you do encounter differences.
Establishing trust
While the majority of companies that you come across will be legitimate firms working hard to earn your business, it's an unfortunate fact that there are also people out there trying to scam you. Therefore, it's important to do what you can to ensure that the organisation you are dealing with is genuine before you send them any money.
There are a number of different ways you can approach this matter, and it's recommended that you undertake various checks to make sure the company is legitimate. Reverse-telephone look-ups can be an advisable way to start and it is good practice to avoid companies that only use mobile numbers or free email addresses as contact information, due to their disposable nature.
It might useful to ask the company for bank information or business certificates, or perhaps request the details of some of their other clients to get recommendations. If you're dealing with an overseas firm, you may also want to get in touch with your embassy in that country: they should have access to a list of registered businesses.
And don't forget to trust your own judgement and instinct. If something doesn't seem right about the company, do more research, or find another firm that you do trust.
Find an overseas supplier with help from Alibaba.com
Here at Alibaba.com, we have been providing an international sourcing solution for over ten years. Whether you are a
seller on eBay or Amazon, an owner of a small enterprise or are a buyer for a high-street chain our site offers the perfect resource to find new products.
Our database includes more than 53 million registered users from throughout the UK and Europe, as well as much further afield in countries like the US, China and Japan. They range from wholesale suppliers, manufacturers to importers and exporters, as well as
B2B traders, and they operate in just about every sector you can think of - including fashion, automotive, consumer electrics, food and chemicals.
To begin finding overseas suppliers with
help from Alibaba.com, simply search or browse our listings. If you're thinking of starting a business and don't know what to sell, our site can also provide some great inspiration. Once you find a product or supplier that matches your requirements, you can get in touch with them to request further information.
If you'd like to get even more from Alibaba.com, why not
register today? It's free and you'll get complete access to our entire database, as well as a variety of useful tools. And be sure to find us on
Facebook, where we'll keep you up to date with the
latest news, and more hints and tips for working at an international level.
