I have been a purchaser for a multi national company for 4 years and only one Chinese supplier approached me recently, this exclude buying leads I’ve posted on Alibaba.
Why? Do they have too many inquires to handle or they are simply weak in marketing or they prefer customer looking for them through website?

During my 4 years here a numerous suppliers from India, Singapore and Europe had approached me either via telephone or emails. Only until yesterday one Chinese supplier managed to call me up at my office. I really wonder why……..is English is the barrier ?

Replying to [David Frencken]:

You are on the right track, in my opinion. They are weak in marketing (at least that has been my experience so far) and also English is hardly ever spoken/written well. The last could be the reason for the first, as you can't be strong in communication if you know that you don't even speak the language right. Just lately I lost an interesting contract because of that, and many times we don't get past some initial hick hack because of the language barrier.

Replying to [David Frencken]:

I think it is only the matter of selection. Customers select right supplier & so do suppliers.

Please do not think that Chinese must be weak in marketing.

Replying to [David Frencken]:Hi,dear friend,

We are pleased to contact you, and we also hope to be your good friend.

We are a big wholesaler company which offer the latest and famous

digital and electronic products such as tv,ps3,Mp4, DV etc..

All products listed on the website are brand new,authentic and with

original box.Our products have been sold in many countries especially Europe.

We would offer high quality products,the lowest price and good service.

If you are interested in our products,please contact us.
Edited by Admin. NO EMAILS/CONTACT DETAILS ALLOWED

hope we can cooperate more and long future

Thanks for your time to read it,hope for your cooperation and reply

regards

Replying to [David Frencken]: I am sorry to hear that.but from my point of view,i don't think so.i am the company from chinese,i always find my customers on alibaba,but most of the time ,i get no reply.i don not know why.i am sincerely hope to establish good business relationship with them,we are factory specialing in mp3,mp4,viop phone ,digital photo frame and many other electronic equipments.we have competitive price as we are the manufacturer.

Replying to [David Frencken]:

Actually Chinese are very active on their business.
Yes, English is one of the most important barriers for this cases.
Another reason is the international calls in China do cost us too much, while most of us are trying to save more in our marketing. This is why we seldom call foreign friends in China.

Replying to [David Frencken]: Contrary to what you stated, I have been seeing regular follow up by some chinese companies. They have not called me. But they keep my skype and MSN busy.

Replying to [David Frencken]:
Dear David,
I do not think so.Chinese is intelligent and hardworking.Since you have noticed that,I'd like show you something.Daily,I send nearly 50 different promotion letters.It might be a stupid work,but it is the most efficient and less cost way to expand the market.Of course,telephone,fax,trade fair something like that are also available for some of us,but not for all ,because they cost more.We are very active for seaching for our potential customers,maybe in the process,we have some weakness or lack some communication technics.But the most we are active,not just waiting for our customers and doing nothing.I might be the least hardworking in China.

Yes,your words mean a part.We lack some marketing technics.But we have our won way to do business with our international clients.Making friends before making deals.I think this is motto for most of our businessmen here in China.This is our tradition,this is our style.And the most important,doing international business need trust,frankness.Making friends before making deals just can help us establish mutual trust between our clients and us.The shortcoming of it is that it makes us seem not so pro.

We are always enthusiastic for dealing with all of our coreign clients,with our reliable products and reasonable price.

Last,the sales you met might exist,but just the minority!!

Thanks,

Justin

Quoting from [David Frencken]:


I have been a purchaser for a multi national company for 4 years and only one Chinese supplier approached me recently, this exclude buying leads I’ve posted on Alibaba.

Why? Do they have too many inquires to handle or they are simply weak in marketing or they prefer customer looking for them through website?


During my 4 years here a numerous suppliers from India, Singapore and Europe had approached me either via telephone or emails. Only until yesterday one Chinese supplier managed to call me up at my office. I really wonder why……..is English is the barrier ?

Dear David Frencken,

Chinese may be having their own priorities while selecting their channels of marketing.They are not as aggressive in direct approach as Indians or Europeans.Their focus is more on trade fairs and exhibitions.

Language is indeed a barrier, but it can be overcome by many if terms and prices are good, though it is a hinderance for uninitiated chinese sellers.

However, judge them by what they have achieved in marketing, more than 10% of merchandise exports.Their emphasis is more on mass production and keeping the price line low, that is their way of doing marketing.

Sixer

Replying to [David Frencken]:

I am a Chinese supplier,now I have some products about costumes,


and want to find a cooperater in forenge,


do you have some interests about this ?


I am very eager to get your reply.

Edited by Admin, NO CONTACT DETAILS PLEASE!


best wishes

Replying to [David Frencken]:

I do not think chinese suppliers are very weak in the marketing...I bet that you can see made in china all over th world...I guess that maybe the products you need is very special...so there are not too much factories to produce it,,,

Yes, English is one of the most important barriers for this cases, but expensive long distance telephone fee is another barriers....
Maybe now some of our sales still have some problems in communicate skills or others, but most of them are excellent in marketing ..

Thanks