Elksourcing

Many importers worry about meeting commitments they’ve made to their customers. One such commitment, particularly for buyers importing promotional goods, is meeting a particular shipping deadline. And this commitment is often especially important around the holiday season. What’s the solution? Product inspection helps importers meet shipping deadlines. One of the more obvious ways importers receive value from regular inspections of orders is improved product quality. But any experienced importer knows that delivering the product to the customer when they want it is just as important as getting them the product they want. 1. Regular product inspections let you check in on your supplier Imagine being able to check in on your supplier at various stages in production to make sure they are on track to meet their shipping deadline. A product inspector visiting the factory at various intervals can tell you: 1). If the factory has received raw materials for…

What can you do when you find product defects during QC inspection? Do you ask your supplier to rework the affected goods? Is corrective action going to delay shipping the order? What other options do you have for addressing quality issues? If you’re like most importers, you’ve probably asked yourself some or all of these questions at one time or another. That’s because defects are an unavoidable part of mass production. Even if you’re cautious about limiting quality defects in your order, chances are pre-shipment inspection will still reveal some in the finished goods. And the question of how best to address unacceptable quality issues is nearly universal among importers. Maybe you’re concerned about balancing the benefits of fixing defects with the risk of damaging the product in the process. Or maybe you’re in a rush to ship an order and just want to know how to prevent defects found this…

When importing from China, it’s very important to try to detect defects at earlier stage as possible. It’s way too late if you find out the defects when the products arrive at your premises. Managing product quality with QC inspection lowers your risk of product returns, unhappy customers and many other costly and avoidable problems. How to do it? Following are the common QC inspection types and their purpose. Let’s discover what value inspection offers at various times to determine when it’s best for you. 1. Where quality control inspections offer value at different production stages Every inspection type aims to detect any product defects or other issues before the factory ships the finished goods. But QC inspection provides different insight into your product when performed at different points in production. The greatest value in finding problems early is being able to address them with your supplier before it becomes difficult…

Is quality control inspection really necessary before shipping? What value am I actually getting from inspection, and what risks do I take in forgoing it? Many importers manufacturing good in ask these questions. And if you’re wise, you too will consider what real benefits QC inspection offers and whether these benefits outweigh the costs. Because, ultimately, only you know what product quality your customers demand and the price they’re willing to pay to get it. So, what are the benefits of quality control inspection for you, the importer? Let’s dive right into those that likely matter most to you. 1. Quality control inspection lowers your costs Yes. You read that right. You may be thinking, if I have to pay someone to inspect my products, and inspection doesn’t directly improve quality, how can it lower my costs? Despite the fees you might typically pay someone to visit your supplier’s factory…

After you attend Canton Fair or HK Show, you collect many contacts for a potential supplier in China. What to do the next? Follow below five steps to successfully dealing with Chinese suppliers. 1. Develop the Relationship The first step before striking a deal with a supplier is to reach out and request samples of the specific product. Not only does this allow you to get a hands-on feel of the product, it helps both you and the manufacturer agree on the product requirements and cost. Oftentimes, language and cultural differences can slow down the communication process, but it’s vital to iron out these details upfront before placing a large order. 2. Perform Due Diligence Once you’re happy with the product, it’s important to perform background research to make sure you’re dealing with a reputable company. There are several free resources available online that allow you to find blacklisted companies throughout China,…

Importers often give much attention to product quality control when it comes to checking design, appearance, function and features. But a lack of attention paid to packaging quality control is most often to blame when a product is damaged or delayed during transit. And it’s a shame because other checks performed during product inspection become irrelevant when your product doesn’t survive the long journey abroad. Your end consumer may be tearing apart and then discarding your packaging as soon as they get their hands on your product. But that doesn’t mean you should rush through determining your packaging requirements with little regard for materials, assortment and inspection. Thankfully, there are several easy packaging checks you can perform during inspection to help you confirm whether your product will reach your customers undamaged and on time. 1. Verify package assortment and quantities Most small consumer products are packed in mass in larger…

It’s easy to find a factory online. So, if going factory direct is the best option, why are there still so many sourcing agents out there? Most people seem to hold onto the common misconception that it’s always better to go factory direct. And sure, it’s great if you can find that perfect factory and you don’t need the benefits that a sourcing agent can offer. But in reality, you’ll find that most factories will have quality or communication issues, and the prices you can get if you buy through a sourcing agent are often lower. So, you may want to think about if you and the factory actually have the resources to work together. Here are three reasons why many importers continue to buy through a sourcing agent: 1. Supplier Verification and QC Sourcing agents operate as the go-between for you and a factory. They work with a factory to manufacture…

One question nearly every importer will ask at some point is, “Is this the best price I can get?” Like most importers, you’ve probably questioned whether the price quoted by your supplier is “fair” and “reasonable”. You might have wondered if you could get a lower price from another supplier. And maybe you’ve had the foresight to balance other important factors against price, such as quality and supplier relationships. 1. Get quotes from multiple suppliers Anyone who’s bothered to shop around at multiple stores knows it’s not always wise to accept the first price you see for an item, especially if that item is costly. The same logic applies when it comes to suppliers. It’s essential to obtain quotes from different suppliers before purchasing an order. You’ll gain a better understanding of the overall market rate for certain items. If you accept the first quote a supplier offers, you might be…