Online
Marketplace

Auto
Parts & Accessories

Consumer
Electronics

Drones
& Robotics

Electronic
Components

Fashion
Accessories & Footwear

Fashion
Apparel & Fabrics

Gifts &
Premiums

Hardware

Home
Products

LED
& Solar Products

LEDs
& Optoelectronics

Machinery
& Parts

Mobile
Electronics

Security
Products

Smart
Living

Underwear
& Swimwear

Trade Shows

Global Sources Exhibitions

Electronics

Mobile Electronics

Gifts & Home

Fashion

Other Trade Shows

Magazines

Magazines

Sourcing Reports

Other
Services

Get
Quotations

Product
Alerts

Analyst's Choice

Sourcing News & Advice

Private Sourcing Events

Buyer Support

About Us

Reliable exporters: find them and meet them

Path: Sourcing News & Advice
>> Smart
Sourcing >> Another batch of possible
changes during the China sourcing process

Sourcing News & Advice
Home

Industry
News

Surveys

Smart Sourcing

Ask
the Experts

Buyer's
Guide

Another batch of possible changes during the China
sourcing process

Posted: September 21, 2016

By Jacob Yount

The
China sourcing process, whether quoting an existing stock item or developing
something from scratch, is more than pulling a lever on a machine. Because the
human element is involved, from RFQ to delivery, something is very likely to get
off course.

Specs

Specs
and details of the order can change from the first RFQ all the way to the start
of the order.

Why?

It’s
not necessarily related to something devious but more so attributed to the
normal ebb and flow of the sourcing process.

Client
changes a spec here and there. When it comes to developing a product, a supplier
may realize that something is not doable.

Point
being is to be mindful of specs and keep clear record of the evolving
requirements. What happens is after multiple waves of changes both buyer and
supplier get muddled on where the project currently is and what price is based
on what.

Another
reason for spec changes, and this reason is more annoying, is lack of
carefulness. It could be the client not being tight on requirements and adding
something at the last minute. It could be the supplier didn’t start really
analyzing the project closely until it went past a few steps. Then supplier
realizes they weren’t careful in considering what they said was possible. To
compound the headache, whichever side starts making spec changes, it can affect
the quoted price.

Supplier
service during sourcing process

This
happens quite a bit. The supplier starts out eager. Once the project gets going
and even after an order starts, it’s ends up being hard to get an update. The
supplier focuses on other cases. They get negligent on following-up and bringing
the case past the goal line. It’s all too common where a lot of cases start out
really well in the sourcing process. But towards the end, the supplier gets
casual and stops watching certain specs.

Supplier motivation gets wrapped up in this aspect of it. If
the process has been long and drawn out and their margin is nothing to write
home about, they’ll start giving subpar service just to get you the heck off
their radar.

Quality

Quality
control isn’t something that you just tell the supplier, “oh yeah and we need
these perfect.”

Effective quality
control is something fluid and ongoing, not stopgap.

It’s
going through the proper steps from the beginning in the sourcing process. It’s
analyzing a series of random samples from the production line. It’s lining up
the right factory visits at key times to watch key aspects of the production.
Rinse and repeat.

Timing
and logistics

Through
the entire project without tight control, timing is subject to
change.

A
client may delay a sign off on a sample, thus delaying the supplier’s start to
production preparation. A 3rd party vendor may be late delivering material to a
main factory. The main factory may be too busy to fulfill obligations. It could
be summer in China and electricity is cut. The list goes on and on.

Reasons for Delay in China
Manufacturing

How
about a tidal wave of connectivity? Specs change, extend the project and this
demotivates the supplier. The demotivated supplier becomes negligent and messes
up the quality. You realize the order needs correcting and this delays departure
and now you have to rebook your shipment.

Remember,
in the China sourcing process, nothing happens in a vacuum.

Want
to learn more sourcing best practices?

Join the Global
Sources Summit that combines conferences and networking, co-located with our
Hong Kong trade shows. The event will be held October 17-19, 2016, and is geared
toward online and Amazon sellers.

Jacob
Yount lived in China from 2001 to 2012, during which time he started JLmade. He
is now based out of North Carolina in the US and his home office is still in
Suzhou, China; manufacturing and exporting branded merchandise, promotional
products and retail gifts for distributors worldwide. Contact Jacob at This
email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to
view it.

, or find him on his blog.

Read more Sourcing
News & Advice

Join the Smart China
Sourcing Facebook Group

Connect with other buyers

Ask questions

Get advice from experts

Join Group

Attend the Global Sources
Summit

For online and Amazon sellers

Interactive training led by sourcing experts

Source profitably, avoid pitfalls

October 17 - 19, 2016 in Hong Kong

Co-located with Mobile Electronics and
Gifts
& Home shows

Learn More

Feedback

Send us your comments and suggestions, or share your sourcing
experiences.

Find Suppliers Online

Browse Product Categories

New Products

Top
Products

Top China Suppliers

Source by Country

Top 20 Products by Industry

Wholesale Directory

Wholesale Products

Factory
Directory

Product
Catalog

Fabricantes y Maquinariabeta | Global Sources

Buyer Tools

Message Center

Global
Sources Apps

Sourcing News & Advice

Sourcing e-Magazines

Sourcing Reports

Global
Sources Direct

Get
Quotations

Supplier Tools

Reach Qualified Buyers

Sign up for a Free Trial

Become a Verified Supplier

多渠道曝光/推广

供应商成功故事

免费网上广告注册

高效参展

About Us

About Global Sources

Our
Services

Our
Quality Commitment

Buyer Testimonials

Investor Relations

Videos

Meet Suppliers Face-to-Face

Sourcing
Fairs

Private Sourcing Events

Buyer Support

What
Every Buyer Needs to Know

Ask the Sourcing Experts

Learn to
Source from China

Help

User
Guide

Help
& FAQ

Contact Global Sources

Site
Map

Follow Us

Facebook Twitter Google + LinkedIn RSS

Global Sources Sourcing Sites: GlobalSources.com

Global Sources Other Country Sites: Hong Kong

Global Sources Management Site: 世界经理人

Copyright © Media Data Systems Pte Ltd (Singapore Co.
Reg. No. 199001601W). All rights reserved.

Terms of Use Privacy Policy Security Measures IP Policy About The Translation