Sourcing agents are companies who facilitate international buyers’ production processes.
As a sourcing agent, not only does a company hele to source products, but also helps to oversee production, quality control, shipping, and other aspects of the whole project.
In this case, a good sourcing company is able to help you save time and money by streamlining your process.
However, not all sourcing agents are created equal, and it’s important to find one that suits your needs as an international buyer. Keep reading to see what makes a good sourcing agent and how to find one for your business.
International Experience
A Chinese sourcing agent with experience in working with international businesses is crucial.
Experience means they understand how to handle foreign buyers and keep them happy.
If someone who has been working with these things for years (and not just a few months or weeks) gets involved with your order, the whole process will be smoother.
In the pandemic era, most international flights to China are cancelled and the rules for coming into the country are hard and come with a lengthy quarantine period, which makes it hard for an international entrepreneur like you to come to China in person.
As an international company owner, the last thing you want to see is wasting time and money on dealing with someone who doesn’t know much more than you.
Therefore, make sure to find someone who has a few years of experience in working with foreigners.
A Vast Network Of Connections
The first factor to evaluate sourcing agents is to see if they have a wide range of connections.
Typically, inexperienced sourcing agents often don’t have established well relationships with manufacturers and factories.
An experienced sourcing agent, on the other hand, not only has an extensive network of contacts but also can ensure that you avoid companies with shoddy reputations.
As you may know, “guanxi”, which is known as relationship, is very important when doing business in China.
By using the network of your sourcing agent, you may find it easier and faster to approach reputable manufacturing suppliers to get your project done.
Additionally, if any problem happens, your sourcing agent can find an alternative in a short time, which will not affect your project deadline.
Good Communication Skills
Keep in mind that English is not the official language in China so your sourcing agents may not tell much difference between American English and British English.
So you should make sure that your sourcing agent knows your language preference and how to speak to you without misunderstanding.
Also, a good sourcing agent has excellent communication skills, not only written but also verbal.
In addition to being able to send you timely and accurate emails, they should also be able to communicate efficiently on phone calls.
This will save time and trouble for both sides involved.
Good sourcing agents are also great listeners who can pick up on subtle details that you might miss when speaking with them face-to-face.
They’ll ask clarifying questions when needed, which shows they have your best interests at heart.
Be sure that person understands your needs and doesn’t try to sell you things that aren’t relevant or necessary for your business.
Speed and Efficiency
When managing manufacturing or sourcing projects, speed and efficiency are probably your biggest allies.
You’re paying someone to manage a project on your behalf so you want them to do it well and fast.
A good sourcing agent in China understands that time is money when working with international buyers.
That’s why they make sure everything progresses at a reasonable pace while still adhering to tight deadlines and budgets.
They’ll also be able to tell you what can be done quickly versus what takes longer. In some cases, depending on your product and its components, outsourcing certain aspects of production may be more efficient than doing everything yourself from start to finish.
This is where a sourcing agent in China comes into play—they know their stuff and can help you decide what steps are worth outsourcing versus keeping in-house.
Let C2W Be Your Local Sourcing Team
China 2 West is one of the best sourcing agents in China to help with your business.
We are a British owned and managed company with 16 years of experience in sourcing and manufacturing. Our bilingual sourcing team can help to provide tailored services that meet your unique specifications.
We have over 500 vetted manufacturing suppliers in our system which can help you find everything you need in a short time. Contact us today.
