The internet has made everything easier. This includes sourcing where a simple word search can pull up thousands of products, and inquiries and ordering can be done anytime, anywhere. So long as you’re connected to the Net, at least.
Watch: Global Sources FutureFinders discovers how stress-free sourcing online can be.
Sourcing from China, however, shouldn’t be done on trade websites alone. This is because the Best Sourcing experience is O2O, a combination of online and offline encounters.
Unplugging in “import-ese” involves meeting suppliers face-to-face, usually via factory visits or trade shows, to build guanxi. And guanxi, which can be translated literally as relationships or connections, is essential for a buyer looking to find a trade partner and forge long-term trust-filled partnerships with China suppliers.
Factory visits have distinct benefits, although they might not be the most cost-efficient option.
This is why the smart and practical buyer like Jack Stiles considers trade shows the best option for face-to-face meetings.
Sourcing pros and industry practitioners have their own reasons for attending trade shows, including speed, first dibs on upcoming releases and the ability to actually touch and test out products.
Embark on a new sourcing journey. Meet some Global Sources O2O suppliers here and keep guanxi with them at the Global Sources trade shows in October.
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The pixel speaker from Shenzhen Divoom Technology Co. Ltd connects via Bluetooth and is app-enabled. |
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The 1688I from Wenzhou Qiuyi Gift Co. Ltd is a three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle made of art paper and EPS foam board. |
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Manking Technology (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd’s TWS earbuds with charging case uses Bluetooth 5.0. |
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LRX Costume Weaving Co. Ltd offers the LRX-AW00020 model, a monokini featuring a figure-hugging symmetrical print. |
Want to see more of Jack’s trade show sourcing experience? It’s coming…soon.
