Many Chinese suppliers are stepping up their game to cater to an international audience and ensure the highest-quality sourcing experience. However, it can be challenging to tell which supplier truly has your best interests. This is where sourcing agents in China can help. Like choosing suppliers, it makes sense to pick only the most credible and trustworthy sourcing agent. After all, they will be like your business partner in ensuring that you are sourcing high-quality goods from a reputable source!
Why it matters?
If your business relies on sourcing from China, a sourcing agent can be a key player in ensuring that the supplier can meet your goals. Sourcing agents in China can be an independent individual or a company that offers quality control and inspection services to help verify the validity and reputation of a particular supplier.
Hiring a sourcing agent
Now the question is which sourcing agent to hire? Once you have a range of options, asking them the right questions can help you narrow it down to the agent that is worth hiring. Here five things you can ask them:
1. How long have you been in business?
Find out how long the sourcing agent has been offering their services. Some of the best companies have been active in Asia for more than 10 years now, and they have extensive experience in helping businesses find dependable and reputable low-cost suppliers in China, and that they know and understand product development, supply chain management, and OEM manufacturing.
2. Where are you based?
Some sourcing agents in China are also working outside the country for many years to effectively deliver their services to any global business. They have locally based teams who speak your language, so you can easily communicate your need with them. Find out where they primarily operate, too. Most have established presence in main industrialized coastal zones.
3. How does your service work?
Reputable and experienced sourcing agents in China follow a set plan to determine which manufacturers or suppliers are right for your needs. Here’s how they may proceed:
- They will ask you to complete their quotation form.
- When they get your request for a quote, they will send instructions for making the payment through a secure online payment portal.
- Online consultation with an agent.
- They will spend around 10 to 14 days finding suppliers or manufacturers.
- A detailed report on suitable manufacturers will be sent to you.
4. How can you verify suppliers for me?
Seasoned sourcing agents assess manufacturers and suppliers using different factors, such as management, systems and equipment, operating procedures. They can personally inspect the factory or any prospective supplier on your behalf by conducting quality control inspections and social audits. If you already found your own supplier, they can also work closely with you to validate them before you commit to hiring them.
5. What else can you do for me?
Make sure that the sourcing agents in China can ensure quick and timely deliveries of high-quality goods. Some leading sourcing agents can conduct pre-shipment inspections, defect sorting, in-production quality control, and container loading inspections.
