1, When purchasing products from China for your B2B business, it is crucial to find the most suitable supplier. This includes factors such as good pricing, quality control, and reliable delivery times, as well as suppliers who understand your requirements.
There are numerous suppliers available when searching on platforms like Alibaba and Google. Some may offer low prices, while others may have well-designed websites or large factories. However, it can be challenging to understand the relationship between these suppliers. For example, Company A may not manufacture the product but has connections with Manufacturer B, so they will try to do business with you.
I once had an American friend who tried to purchase from a well-known company. He provided requirements and asked questions about quotations and specifications. However, he found that the salesperson struggled to understand the products, just like my friend did. Sometimes, the salesperson would reply with a simple email without any explanation, only providing a price. It was surprising to see this lack of professionalism from a well-known company.
A truly reliable company should invest more resources in training their sales staff. After all, the sales staff represents the image of the company when dealing with potential customers. When faced with an unprofessional salesperson, it is important to firmly consider changing the company or trying to communicate with alternative suppliers. Time is money, and effective communication can save overall costs, while poor communication wastes time.
In our company, all business personnel start from project management and can serve customers after three years of experience and passing an examination. We conduct monthly product training to ensure that all employees are familiar with the production process and store fixture industry. As a customized product, providing fast and accurate feedback is essential for customer satisfaction.

2, Most Chinese suppliers still prefer to place large orders, and this trend continues in 2023. There are several reasons for this.
Firstly, large orders allow factories to reduce production costs significantly. This includes savings in labor, management, and raw material expenses.
Secondly, many Chinese suppliers lack the necessary resources and skilled employees to efficiently manage thousands of small orders.
Thirdly, when considering the cost of freight and tariffs, small batch orders may not offer a clear advantage in terms of reaching customers compared to local production in Europe and the United States.
Fourthly, some local companies in Europe and the United States purchase large quantities of inventory from China, which helps address the supply issue for small orders to some extent.
However, the trend of fragmented orders is irreversible, and more and more Chinese suppliers are gradually accepting small-batch orders. Sourcing directly from China still has its advantages. If you have an excellent Chinese supplier who can efficiently manage your orders, it can result in significant cost savings.

3. Language proficiency is not the sole determinant of effective communication. While there are numerous technological solutions available to address technical issues, they become futile when the other party struggles with basic comprehension or requires assistance in understanding the product. Even if someone is fluent in three languages, it becomes inconsequential if they cannot effectively communicate and comprehend the needs of the other party. On the other hand, professional Chinese businesspeople possess the ability to accurately grasp your requirements and engage in communication until late hours, without being hindered by jet lag. Despite potential delays caused by time differences, a proficient supplier can resolve most issues within 1-2 days, showcasing their commitment to providing optimal service.

4. Some Chinese factories have a tendency to cut costs by a small margin, often as little as 10 cents. This may be due to cultural differences between China and the West. However, the issue arises when suppliers fail to inform their foreign customers about these cost-cutting measures. Excellent suppliers, on the other hand, will communicate their ideas with customers beforehand and only proceed after reaching an agreement. For example, if certain parts do not have a load-bearing role or do not affect the appearance and functionality of the product, the supplier will fully understand the design intentions of foreign customers and discuss their plans with them.
In terms of quality control, China has the capability to produce products of both Walmart and bullet train quality, depending on how much you are willing to pay and how well you manage your quality control. In the custom shelf industry, where each order may have different designs, the management ability of suppliers becomes crucial, as does quality control. Unless you have a local quality management team in China, it is necessary to visit the factory before placing an order. Even if you have no experience in factory management, you can assess the quality control of the orders by observing if the factory floor is clean and orderly and if the workers are well-behaved.
Sometimes, the standards in the Chinese market differ from those in the European and American markets. If a large factory primarily caters to the domestic market, you may need assistance in getting them to modify their production process according to your quality requirements. Therefore, it is ideal to find a supplier that specializes in export business and treats you as a valued customer, especially if you have a suitable order size.

6, In China, it is customary to have business lunches, dinners, or both with your Chinese business partners. Typically, lunch is substantial, but dinner tends to be more elaborate. It presents a wonderful opportunity to connect with your business partners and foster stronger relationships.

7, Arrange a visit to Chinese suppliers once or twice a year to explore if you are a store fixture designer; you might discover new processes and gain fresh inspiration.

8, In China’s coastal areas, a significant number of workers from inland provinces migrate thousands of kilometers away from home to seek higher income opportunities. Some workers bring their children along, while others stay in their hometowns to care for elderly parents. Most workers return home during the Spring Festival, but upon finding that they cannot secure jobs with the same pay, they still choose to return to the coastal areas. However, foreign buyers need not worry too much about this issue as skilled workers in Chinese factories earn higher incomes. These skilled talents are retained through attractive salaries, as they cannot find similar job opportunities or income levels in their remote central and western hometowns. For instance, exceptional production directors, engineers, or welders earn monthly incomes ranging from ￥10,000 to ￥30,000, enabling them to build houses in their hometowns after five years of work. Therefore, the majority of highly mobile employees are not part of the core team, which has minimal impact on the quality and stability of production.