Hello to everyone. Sourcing products from China, particularly Guangzhou, is not easy for those fresh start-up company friends and small online merchants or offline wholesalers unless they have adequate money and time to compare different suppliers and products and engage with them. Actually, it is a source of anxiety for sellers. That is why people require the services of a sourcing agent. That is why China has many sourcing agents. In this instance, sellers should look for a good sourcing agency. Based on my experience, I have compiled a list of vital qualities that a competent sourcing agent should possess.
Quality first: A good sourcing agency in Guangzhou should be a firm, not an individual. On the one hand, a corporation is formally registered with the Chinese government and has a business license. The government also checks its financial status, which implies that the company has far more economic strength to give good service or handle an emergency, whereas individuals can leave suddenly and sellers cannot find them. The firm, on the other hand, has more resources than the individual does. The company has a larger client and supplier database. It has a better awareness of foreign markets and what things sell well, allowing it to recommend a sufficient number of good products to sellers.
Second, the Guangzhou sourcing agency should have sufficient sourcing experience. The agent with more than ten years of experience is far more reliable and resourceful than the agent with only three years of experience. An experienced sourcing agent has dealt with a wide range of challenges, so the agent can handle them with ease. Sellers will not be concerned about working with that agent. In terms of the supplier database, the more years the agent has worked in sourcing, the more extensive the agent’s supplier database is.
Third, if the Guangzhou sourcing agency specializes in the products that the seller is interested in and then agent is good. The agent who is skilled at acquiring furniture may not be knowledgeable about building materials. Sellers that work with a competent agent can get the best quote very quickly.
Fourth, a Guangzhou sourcing agent who is confident enough and can provide other clients’ contacts for sellers to obtain information such as the agent’s background and feedback as a reference will be a suitable business partner. Other clients’ real-life experiences working with the agent, as well as their thoughts, are priceless for sellers. Sellers might inquire of those individuals whether they had a positive working experience with the agent and what they thought of the agent. If the answer is yes, it is a good idea to keep this agent in mind.
Fifth quality: A good Guangzhou sourcing agency must have good suppliers and outstanding bargaining skills in order to obtain the most competitive pricing for the product. Sellers face numerous competition. As a result, only a good agent who is responsible for obtaining good products at a reasonable price can assist the seller in occupying the market. This agent should have access to a variety of resources, including exhibitions, wholesale offline markets, and online vendors. Many years of experience assist the agent in becoming a VIP client of suppliers. As a result, suppliers will offer the agent a lower price. Suppliers will not even give such pricing to a foreign client.
Sixth quality: Excellent Guangzhou’s agent shall monitor the entire production process, ensure that the delivery date is met, and maintain contact with the seller. The seller lives far away from China and spends a lot of money on things. He should be aware of what is happening with the merchandise. As a result, the agent is the only person whom the seller may trust. Agents must create a checklist that depicts the manufacturing scenario at various points in time. If there are issues, the agent should provide comments and advise the seller on how to resolve them.
Seventh quality: A good Guangzhou sourcing agency has QC experience with specific equipment. Some sourcing agents solely handle sourcing and not quality control. Finding a sourcing agent who can perform quality control effectively saves money and time. It is preferable if the agent also has quality control tools such as a caliper, measuring tape, and a camera for recording images and movies.
Eighth quality: A good Guangzhou sourcing agent has a flexible charge standard. They can accept a one-time flat fee or a percentage of the seller’s order value. Which method is best depending on the seller’s needs and the seller’s connection with the agent? If it is just a one-time deal, a a flat fee is acceptable. If the agent is reliable and the seller wants to build a long-term relationship with the agent, charging by percentage may be the consideration.
Number nine: A good Guangzhou sourcing agent is one who can supply a sufficient number of good shipping solutions. Shipment methods include shipping by sea, shipping by air or express, and road transport. Some vendors may order unique or sensitive things. As a professional sourcing agent, he should advise on the best method of shipping based on the product kind and amount, and prepare alternative solutions as a backup. Furthermore, knowing how to avoid paying high taxes and lawfully reduce import tariffs is a huge advantage.
The tenth feature is honesty, which is essential for a competent sourcing agent. If the agent guarantees that he will provide sellers with authentic factory quotations and that everything will be transparent to sellers, it is worth considering him as a good business partner.
From my perspective, the top ten qualities that the Top Guangzhou market guide should have are listed above. Thank you for reading and I hope you can locate an excellent sourcing agent to assist you in developing your business.