Things to know before you start
Q: Do I have to have a BIG idea to validate sourcing overseas?
A: Not necessarily. Some of the best ideas are the smallest and simplest. If your product fills a void in the market or is useful to a large segment of the population your idea will more than likely benefit from sourcing overseas. You can start by receiving a free price quote for you project here.
Q: What products are ideal for sourcing in China?
A: Products that have:
– High Labor Content
– High quality/labor ratio
– Sufficient value to justify shipping costs
Q: How much do I have to order and what is "MOQ"?
A: MOQ stands for minimum order quantity. Typical MOQ is 3,000 units but can be as low as 1 depending on product cost. Obviously the larger the volume, the more it makes sense to buy direct from China since the savings are compounded. But in some cases you may even consider small orders. How small of an order is worth importing depends on a number of factors.
– Freight: For small orders this will be a significant cost.
(Example: Less than a container load for sea freight will cost more than a full container.)
– Mold costs: A small order may not be justified if there are large fixed costs.
– Cooperation: Factories prefer large orders and may not be willing to work with small orders and if they are, their pricing will generally be higher.
Q: Why should I pay for samples when I can get free samples from Alibaba or another B2B website?
A: When paying for a sample through ECI Sourcing, you are paying the direct cost of the sample to the factory. ECI Sourcing never profits from a sample cost. Agents on Alibaba/B2B websites often provide free samples at first, but you will surely be paying much more than the sample’s cost when placing an order (if you ever get your order)
Q: How do I avoid defective goods and poor quality after I place my order?
A: The key to avoid poor quality and defective products is prevention. ECI Solutions applies a rigorous QC program to maintain quality. Implementing the following will guarantee success every time:
(a) You understand your own quality needs down to the smallest details
(b) The factory fully understands your quality criteria and is willing, able and experienced to deliver goods as per your requirements.
(c) You have a quality control program in place that is followed through by all parties involved.
Q: What happens if defective merchandise arrives at my warehouse?
A: If this happens, and you are on your own, it might be extremely difficult to resolve the issue because it means the goods went through your own quality control and passed. With an agent or a full service provider like ECI Sourcing, not only will we apply our rigorous QC methods preventing most problems before shipping, but you generally have recourse to get a credit on future orders to remedy the situation.
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