If you are on your way to starting your business of handbags or looking for new handbag suppliers, this article is for you.Handbag manufacturers in China can provide you with the best prices for high-quality products, fast and convenient shipping, and competitive labor prices for your business. So, it is wise to search for a reliable and authentic manufacturer in China.
However, you have to be careful as you may be duped or tricked by some middlemen acting as direct suppliers. You have to find a good supplier with a trustworthy reputation. But how do you figure out which manufacturer is reliable and honest?
If you have been stuck in this dilemma, keep reading to learn how to find a good direct handbag manufacturer in China and the steps you can take to avoid the middleman.
Tips For Choosing A Reliable Supplier In China
Here are some tips you should consider before getting into business with a manufacturer in China.
Check The Qualifications And Carry Out An Audit
The first step in getting the perfect supplier is to check the qualifications of the manufacturer and find out if they are a legitimate entity. An onsite visit must do to the manufacturer’s factory, where the production process is carried out.
There are other ways if you can’t visit the site personally, such as during the Covid pandemic, routes were shut down, and visiting China was not possible. You are strongly suggested to check the years of operation for which the manufacturer has been in the industry and look for past clients. This can improve your decision quality by providing proof of standard services. For example, if a potential supplier is already working with a top brand or some of the biggest MNCs in your industry, it provides evidence that they meet the premium standards of management, production, craftsmanship, sample quality, and product delivery. You can also ask the suppliers if they conduct any audits like ISO9000 and BSCI.
Visit the Factory.
Some customers have set up buying offices in mainland China which makes it easier to visit the factory in person. But there are several others as well with no physical presence in China, so for them hiring a third-party inspector to do a complete check of the factory is a good option. The inspector will provide all the details and send you photos & videos of the production lines, warehouse, sample room, and showroom, so you can see if it’s a real factory or just a very small workshop. Of course, the sole point isn’t to look for the BIG factory with 200-500+ workers. It’s always best to find the most suitable supplier that matches your business type. For example, a bigger factory can also mean higher prices, and an elongated hierarchy can indicate inefficient decision-making. Big factory generally asks for high MOQ. You can also do a preliminary audit of the manufacturer by visiting online databases and social media platforms.
Commitment To Work And Delivery .
One of the most important things for any business is to remain true to its word to the customer. If you have agreed to deliver a package within a certain timeline to the customer, you should be able to do just that. Deviation from the delivery date can be managed in exceptional cases, but it shouldn’t be a business habit.
To deliver on time to customers, you need strong and committed suppliers who can work according to your timeline and deliver within the set date. Only then will you be able to avoid frustrated customers and maintain loyalty. So, commitment to your business and delivering on time should be the first thing to look for in a manufacturer in China.
You can do this by doing proper research, consulting other businesses that work with the supplier, and trying out a smaller batch order before ordering in bulk.
Use The Video Option.
Video chatting is also convenient for times like Covid when being on site is not an option. And it is a smart move for validating the supplier. Arrange 1-2 video meetings with the manufacturer boss and go into the details until satisfied. You can also request a live video tour of the factory, warehouse, production unit, products, etc.
Gather Social Proof.
Another contemporary way to check the supplier’s authenticity is to visit their social media channel and website and gather social proof online. Today, almost every business, especially a global one, has a social or online identity. You should not only be able to spot your chosen suppliers online, but they should preferably be active and involved in the online world.
It is a sign of trust if you can see the activity of the handbag manufacturer online, witness other people interacting with it, and have past clients leaving their reviews. Visit the website as well. A professional website shows the business is serious. Look for testimonials online and gather enough social and online proof of reliability.
Ask A Friend For Recommendations.
Asking a trusted colleague, acquaintance, or friend is one of the best ways to find the right direct handbag supplier in China. Not only does this show social proof, but you will also get a firsthand tale of the experience of working with the supplier. Make sure to hit all your friends in your contact list and ask them for recommendations. They may not have worked directly with one, but they may have an acquaintance who may have done that.
Brand Testimonials And Reputable Clients
If the supplier has been working with a big brand name in the past, it increases its reliability index to a great extent. Look for other brands and businesses with a solid profile that may have been working with the supplier in the past or are currently working with them.
Why Should You Avoid The Middleman.
You can save a lot of hassle and save time and have direct communication if you work with a direct supplier instead of a middleman
Previously, suppliers in mainland China were not as advanced in communication as in modern places like Hong Kong and Taiwan (before the 2005s). So, global businesses always had to turn to the middlemen in those areas of China where communication in English was possible. This left the direct suppliers behind in the race. However, things have taken a turn for the better now. Mainland suppliers speak fluent English, which reduces the barrier to foreign business communication.
One of the problems that you may have faced, which was shared by several of our previous customers, is the issue of mismatched products. Your design team gets the product design ready on time to be sent to the supplier. They produce and send it to you, and it turns out nothing like your design, but you don’t have enough time before the sales meetings, photoshoots, and trade fairs to get another batch made.
It takes skillful workers and strong communication with them to create a sample product from a prototype design. Our process is focused on the customer. We create an initial mockup of the bag and send it to the customer for feedback and examination. We adjust the shapes, sizes, and other dimensions as needed. This step is critical as, from the mock-up (paper pattern mold), you can ensure that you are satisfied with the construction and shape of the bag. We proceed only after getting the green light from you. In comparison, a trading company is usually not capable of doing this.
Working with a direct manufacturer can save a lot of money in the long term.
Trading companies usually need to maintain at least a 15% profit margin to run the business smoothly. If you work with a direct supplier instead of a middleman, you will be able to save a big sum which can then be invested in other necessary areas such as advertising.
BUT How To Ensure Product Quality?
Some customers will conduct an inspection 3-5 days before shipping by themselves, or they’ll have a third-party inspection service such as QIMA to do so.
Some customers do not inspect the goods personally. So, we have a way to facilitate them by carrying out a full inspection of the bag for them. This is what we do – we will provide a full inspection report to customers and send photos of the production, inline process, pre-final process, final stitching, and packaging. Take a look at a sample inspection report below.
Conclusion
Finding the right supplier in China takes time, effort, money, and some good luck. This is a tedious process. But it can become your most profitable strength if you pick the right supplying partner. Miya Fashion bags has been working in the handbag manufacturing industry in China for more than 15 years. I think our valuable experiences can help you. We have worked with top names like Camel Active, Pierre Cardin, and Tom Tailor. Visit our website and get in touch to start your business right away.
