Despite the calm and measured way of life, it often seems that the Chinese simply shout at each other, but in reality, they talk very loudly.
This again is due to the lack of personal space, mass amounts of noise, construction, vehicles, etc.
Preparing for the Canton Fair
After covering some of the most striking stuff for a western man in China, let’s get to business.
Before we go to the Canton Fair, it is necessary to clarify a few points and thoroughly prepare for it.
Canton Fair is a perfect place to find a supplier.
This is an opportunity to visit thousands of factories and to assess the quality of their products in just a few days.
Since 1956, the international exhibition is held two times a year for three weeks in Guangzhou, and attracts thousands of manufacturers and importers.
In order not to get lost in the abundance of products, make the most of the trip and spend time with benefits, use these few tips which will help you find the perfect supplier:
Set and follow your goals
There are roughly 25000 manufacturers present during Canton Fair.
You physically can not see everything, so should define in advance what you are looking for and what section you want to visit.
Print the map of pavilions and note product categories you are interested in in the first place.
Map helps you quickly navigate to the site, as well as to move between the pavilions.
Orient at prices
Pre-study of price and quality standards for the products that you are interested in.
This will give you an edge and save time.
You’ll know what to look for and what to discuss the nuances of the supplier.
Things to have handy
You will receive a lot of printed information: business cards, brochures, catalogs.
All this weighs quite a lot and you will need to carry this burden all day, so it is recommended to take a small case on wheels.
Also, you will need your own business cards.
The Chinese are reluctant to share brochures and information, if you do not leave your own contacts.
It will suffice it state your name in English, phone, e-mail address, job title and organization name.
Otherwise, they will think you are a competitor, or an underground spy, thus they will not allow to take pictures of samples and communication will be reduced to nothing.
You will also need a notebook, pen and stapler, so you can attach a business card or brochure to the page and write down important information, your impression of the products and answers to your questions.
What kind of questions to ask
Do not hesitate to ask questions and communicate.
Introduce yourself, talk a little about your business and what you are interested in.
During the conversation, specify major points: price, the minimum number of units for the order (MOQ), production time (lead time).
In addition, find out on what the company specializes in and what is their main niche, how long are they on the market, who are their biggest customers, what kind of certificates for the products they can provide, how many employees work in their company.
Capture the answers in a notebook to analyze the situation after, having all the info before your eyes.
Samples
Typically, manufacturers are not handing out samples at the shows for obvious reasons.
However, you can offer to buy the sample after the fair, take it during the last day of fair, or ask to send it to you in the hotel at the end of the fair.
In any case, you will be able to hold it in your hands, to test it and assess the quality of production.
Comparing multiple samples, you will understand what manufacturers are most trustworthy to cooperate with.
