Buying products from China

[madmover]

Currently going through the painful process of trying to find new suppliers in China (Open to anywhere else but everywhere so far aside China has been too expensive).

Is alibaba still one of the best sites for this? It doesn't seem to be all that good but maybe I'm just being unlucky. The people quoting me don't seem to have a clue and seem to just quote random products which fall in the same sector but don't actually wish to supply which i'm looking for.

As a result I woke up to 47 quotes and only 3 were relevant to what I want.
Any suggestions for alternative sites or ways would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Andy

[951TSE]

Could you give us a rough idea of what type of stuff you're looking for as it's quite difficult to advise if we don't know approximately what you're looking for.

[bazza white]

There are a lot of traders on alibaba that are not manufacturers which is a bit of a nightmare. The quote thing is crap you just get a list of crap you don't want back.

Another thing with alibaba is to use the instant chat, early in the morning is best. Easier to speak to people to assess if they are manufactures or not.

Some manufactures hire sales agents who know nothing though and can be a pita. The more OEM the less this occurs.

I don't know your product but what I have done before is look up trade shows and then at the exhibitor lists and their descriptions.


As said alibaba is a right pita but there are some good factories on there and Ive worked with some good people who've bent over backwards to get a product sorted.

[madmover]

951TSE said:

Could you give us a rough idea of what type of stuff you're looking for as it's quite difficult to advise if we don't know approximately what you're looking for.

Sorry, it would help wouldn't it! I've not been on since the first post due work being so busy.
It's medical supplies & equipment

[ReaderScars]

There's a guy from the north east of England who moved out to China, to offer a product sourcing service and set up another enterprise.

Has two websites, Tetch China and Young Money China:

http://www.fetchchina.com/
http://www.youngmoneychina.com/2014/08/the-truth-b...

Maybe you should drop him an email, see if he can source what you require?

[Boarder1]

Get yourself to the Canton Fair in October, search on Google "Canton Fair medical products".

Don't waste time with Alibaba, go and see the people directly and make your own assumptions.

[paul0843]

Boarder1 said:

Get yourself to the Canton Fair in October, search on Google "Canton Fair medical products".

Don't waste time with Alibaba, go and see the people directly and make your own assumptions.

Good advice,or try and google to see if there's a specific fair just for medical supplies.
I have been dealing with china for the last 8 years..
Biggest hurdle is communication...

[burwoodman]

paul0843 said:

Boarder1 said:

Get yourself to the Canton Fair in October, search on Google "Canton Fair medical products".

Don't waste time with Alibaba, go and see the people directly and make your own assumptions.

Good advice,or try and google to see if there's a specific fair just for medical supplies.
I have been dealing with china for the last 8 years..
Biggest hurdle is communication...

you confuse communication with honesty-chinese are inherently bent so make sure you cover your bases.