Problems When Dealing With Chinese Suppliers

If you are going to dance with the devil, you will get burnt. Read the following in order to minimize your ‘China stupidity’ exposure, or better yet, just go elsewhere with your production.

Excerpt

If you have experience in importing from Chinese suppliers, you know it’s very common that quotes are not handled with precision.
There are some basic yet deep-rooted reasons why suppliers in China quote incorrectly.
Precision: Suppliers in China do not quote with precision. The mindset is that the initial quote is not something that is going to make or break the project. The quote is viewed as sort of the starting point of discussion.
Details and specifications are not something firm that can readily be concreted and confirmed. Facts are “loose” and require back-and-forth.
Western buyer thinks: the quote needs to be as exact as possible so I can quote my buyer or rock n’ roll on these numbers so that we can close the job. Let’s get this right and get moving!
Chinese supplier thinks: here’s the quote and if it’s not exact or if you find any mistakes, holler back at me and we’ll get you fixed up.
From the suppliers’ mindset, nothing rides on that first quote. Whether or not you come back isn’t based on their quoting method.
The concept of going through an inquiry “with a fine-tooth comb” is not a common practice with suppliers in China.
The salesperson you work with from the supply company or factory doesn’t spend much time proofreading the quote or assuring they are quoting as per your specifications.
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