Most of the time it happens that you get inquires from new walk-in customers. As a supplier you have to treat each inquiry as a serious inquiry imaging that it can convert in to a deal. Supplier spend lot of time and energy to reply the inquiry according to customer's requirement. Even supplier quote very good price to them. Eventually after getting prices and all the information of the product, there is no reply from the customer. If answer they says that "we are working on it and will inform you later". But reply never comes. The question is HOW TO JUDGE THAT YOU GOT A SERIOUS CUSTOMER.

Replying to [bittoo]:
Well if a reply never comes you probably didnt supply him with the best price and he simply does not want to waste anymore of your time....I am looking for mp4 players (1gig) with nice packaging and decent quality, if you sell this product can you beat the price of 35USD including shipping to USA?

Replying to [bittoo]:

Bittoo, I think that you will find most buyers from the US are serious when looking for a product. Something to think about is if you have exactly what the buyer is asking for (that is if they are specific in their request) and respond accordingly.


Recently I sent out many detailed requests for Digital Thermometers to Put in Refrigerator with a hook or suction cup. I sent the request to many companies that say they deal in digital thermometers.

Some companies email me back and say they do not carry what I am looking for but would like to stay in touch for future needs. I appreciate that they are honest and do not waste my time and because they showed me this curtesy I replied to thank them and let them know that I would stay in touch.

Some companies email me back with all kinds of digital thermometers that are not for refrigerators, NOT WHAT I REQUESTED. This was a waste of my time and I simply deleted the emails without replying.

Some companies email me saying that they can develope the thermometers for me if I just give them all the specifics. I didn't say I was looking to take the time to develope a new product, or pay for all the tooling involved. I want a product that already exists, that is being produced and used already. So, I delete these emails as well.

Then you have the companies that send pictures and info on a digital thermometer that is close to what I described. To these suppliers I replied with requests for more information or I described how the product I need is different from what they sent to give them a chance to show me a different product. I give them this opportunity because the are trying to show me a product I have described and came close.


Ok, back on subject, I think those last few paragraphs may have been relivant.

US buyers will contact as many suppliers as possible when looking for a product because we don't trust that we will find the best deal right away. We need many, many offers to compare. This is just how we are (mostly, not all). So be very specific in your communication back to US buyer inquiries and don't be offended if you don't get a response, it's not personal.

Replying to [Cali Rugger]:

Hey, don't tell me most US buyers are serious.

According to my experiences, if I have 10 enquiries from US, maybe only 1 or 2 are sincere buyers, others were just inquirers, doing the market research or collecting information; some buyers even don't know exactly what they want.

An inquirer who gives out detail specification and his company information stands more chances to be serious.

Replying to [cbeebies]:I'm from US and serious about business.
It just happen like Cali Rugger state, we don't have the time to answer every one quotes that not come close to what we need, let me make it clear and hopefully it will help.

1. We ask for a product and we need it to be very close before we consider.
2. We ask as least 10 seller to send the quote and compare the prices.
3. We pick the one with the most reasonable pricce and ask for sample.
4. We usually response to the first three quotes
5. We check the company names and it not closely related to what we looking for then we not response to those companies.
6. Most of us are buyer/trader we know what could be sell and make profit, but we don't have any spec or drawing so don't ask for it.
7. We don't like pushy sell people, so don't keep email and ask everyday
8. We don't ever make a big order the first time so keep the MQO down.
9. We like to have a secure payment method.
10. Most of us don't like to pay more than 10% as a deposit.

Hope this help you to find new buyer.

Replying to [partsman]:

Very helpful, simple but points!

Replying to [partsman]:

Come on partsman, how long have you been in international trade?

Let me answer you one by one:

>1. We ask for a product and we need it to be very close before we consider.
For example, you're asking a brake pad used in automobile and you may or may not have a target price in mind.

>2. We ask as least 10 seller to send the quote and compare the prices.
You asked 10 sellers? Come on, don't waste your time. 3 or 4 genuine factories offer will far more than enough. (the problem is whether you're able to find those GENUINE FACTORIES. )

>3. We pick the one with the most reasonable pricce and ask for sample.
Unless you know the product well for example "brake pad" , you're able to judge who's the serious seller, who offered the most reasonable price and good quality.

>4. We usually response to the first three quotes
Quick response doesn't guarantee the best quote, though fast response will be appreciated most of the time.

>5. We check the company names and it not closely related to what we looking for then we not response to those companies.
Hey, don't judge a book by its name or cover.

>6. Most of us are buyer/trader we know what could be sell and make profit, but we don't have any spec or drawing so don't ask for it.
That is the big problem. If you have no specific requests on the products you're looking for, how could the supplier offer you the right product? For example, the material of the brake pad, the size, the model No., the way to test the quality, etc.

>7. We don't like pushy sell people, so don't keep email and ask everyday
If the supplier didn't follow up the offer, he isn't serious or he's too busy to take care of you. Of course, there's no need to push every day. Just one or two times follow-up are fine.

>8. We don't ever make a big order the first time so keep the MQO down.
If you can't reach the MOQ, but only need a couple hundred or thousand pieces goods at the deal revenues less than $3000 or $4000, you'd better buy it locally instead of from overseas. You can order a sample for testing, then place an order at least reach the MOQ. International trade is not buying one carton or two cartons goods, it's a CONTAINER quantity, even just for a half container is OK.

>9. We like to have a secure payment method.
Of course, it should be fair and safe for both sides.

>10. Most of us don't like to pay more than 10% as a deposit.
Gime a break! At lest 30% deposit is the minimum requests to confirm an order, or, you should open a L/C. Nobody gives you credit unless you've done many businesses with this supplier.

>Hope this help you to find new buyer.
See, how serious a US buyer like you are? I bet you've ended up lots of frustrations to get serious quotations from Chinese suppliers.

Replying to [Customlinepc]: However, at this moment your target price is almost impossible, but can be try. you can send me complete detail of MP4 player you need to me at * Email address removed by Moderator *

Replying to [partsman]:
I want to comment on the point 1and point 10.
It is too much for you ask for 10 factories.This should not be your style.One of My US customers came to our factory and then began to do business with us.He told that Price was not the only factor they take into account.
T/T payment term is mainly based on the trust between each other.The seller and buyer both show concern for this,The seller is worried they can not receive money after releasing the goods ,while the buyer worried they can not get the goods after paying money.
The balance should be reached in this relation.Generally speaking,30%deposit is acceptable to most people.I don;t understand less than 10% you indicated ,even not up to the cost for raw materials.
Surely business can be negotiated.The important point for doing business is trustworthy relation.Also my style of letting my customer believe me for fisrt times .

Best regards,

Replying to [partsman]: I want to discuss your following points as I feel they are contradictory.


3. We pick the one with the most reasonable prices and ask for sample.
4. We usually response to the first three quotes
5. We check the company names and it not closely related to what we looking for then we not response to those companies.

First of all please let me know what is your most priority, reasonable price or company?s name?
How can you be sure that the company have quoted you reasonable price is also a good company?

You are far away, never visited the company, and based on following things you have to judge a company:
1. The language of reply email,
2. How prompt company replied your inquiry mail.
3. Or may be Company have a website

Please note, almost all the companies keep some highly paid educated staff in marketing department for dealing customer overseas, especially Europe and US clients.

Designing a good website is not expensive in China.

For the price, sometime companies quote you very reasonable price in their, but later on if you inform them your other requirements such as for material, packaging, artwork etc., company increased their price. At this moment if you want to give up dealing with the company, you cannot as by that time you have already lost your valuable time.

I have dealt for all kind of products with over 1000 companies in China. I have personally visited most of them. I find many companies are not same as I had impression about them through email and their presentation through Internet.

One very interested thing I noticed, that the original manufacturer from where you can get the best price, do not have own website. They are very small manufacturing units. They not have any marketing staff. They do export through so called big manufacturers and trading companies with their title. I do not mind to deal with the original manufacturer on Ex-factory price to get the right products with right price and arrange documentation and shipping over selves.

Replying to [cbeebies]:Dear Cheebies.

I may not be long in doing international trades, however most my points that bring up is work for me personally.
Yes, I deal in auto parts and the only info that I could provide to a suppliers are the part numbers either it be OEM number or a major aftermarket bandnames so my supplier could cross check.
As for the MOQ my supplier asking for me to order a container load at a time and I was able to get them to supply the amount that I needed to test the market with.
My supplier also willingly to take 10% on the order as a good will show my intention of doing business.

To be hornest about this when I first start in this I have not a clue of what is my taget price is, however I do know what is the wholesale price here that could be sell for.

You may not like what I do, or said but that doesn't mean it won't work.

The final note, I will fly to China on the 17th of this month to finalize my order and pay the balance.