Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for China Mini-Importers

Today i decided share answers to some frequently asked questions on mini importation i hope you find answers to some of the questions you've been searching for.
 
Question: Why import from china
 
Answer: China is one of the largest economies in the world at present and may end up becoming the largest economy in the near future, secondly, labor is cheap there coupled with friendly tax laws etc.so a lot of companies prefer to have their factories sited at such places.
 
Question:  how much do I need to start importing?
 
Answer:  Well there is no fixed amount as it depends on what exactly you want to start importing but based on my own experience you need anything from N50,000 and above to import anything tangible in commercial quantity.
 
Question: what items can I start importing for huge cash?
 
Answer: This also depends on you as an individual, because it’s better to do your own survey and based on your environment.  Think of a need and then look for how to fill that need by importing what people are in need of. But in general here is a list of hot selling items. Wrist watches, jewelries, sunglasses, bake wares, dresses, phones, tablets, shoes,bags,wallets solar lamps, etc
 
Question: what websites can I import from?
 
Answer: We have a ton of websites where we can import from but a few of them make it to the top of our list.
www.aliexpress.com
www.ipmart.com
www.alibaba.com
www.1688.com
www.sammydress.com
 
Question: how do I know if a product is good?
 
Answer: There are various ways to know a good product. One of the ways is to first of all import a sample of the item you intend to sell and if you are satisfied then you now import in bulk quantity. The second way is to look as the seller’s ratings on his or her store page. Generally you want a seller with a general rating of at least 80%
You may also want to check the comments left behind by those who purchased the product in the recent past and look to see if there are any complaints by different sellers regarding the item being sold. If you notice that a particular complaint  keeps showing up over and over again you may want to avoid such a seller.
 
Question: how do I know if a seller is credible?
 
Answer:  You can assess the credibility of a seller in different ways
First is based on the comments left behind by those who purchased his product in the recent past and the another way  is through a personal chat with the seller.
 
Question:  how do I ship my goods over to Nigeria?
 
Answer:  Basically you have multiple options
a. you can ship through air mail, where you pick up your goods from the post office
b you can ship through parcel services such as Dhl, Ups Ems Etc.
c you can also ship using third party shipping agents
 
Question:  how can I get free shipping of my goods?
 
Answer: You can get free shipping by requesting for it from the seller especially if you are purchasing a sample of the product or If you are buying in large quantities.
 some sellers even already have a laydown rule that if you purchase up to a particular amount from them then you automatically qualify for free shipping.
 
Question:  how much will I have to pay to ship my goods?
 
Answer: The amount you pay for shipping is usually set  by the seller of the product you are purchasing but just like I said earlier , if you are purchasing in bulk quantity, you can negotiate with the seller on the cost of shipping
 
Question: how do I pay for my goods online?
 
Answer: There are a variety of ways to pay for your goods online depending on the websites you are purchasing from.
You can use your Visa, Master debit/credit cards, PayPal, western union, bank transfer.
 
Question:  how do I monitor/ track my goods ?
 
Answer: There are quite a number of sites you can use to monitor your goods online but one of the most popular is  www.17track.net
All you need to do is enter the tracking no of the purchased item given to you by the seller and you will be able to track your goods per unit time till it gets to you
 
Question: what is the list of things I should be very careful when importing?
 
Answer:  There are quite a number of things you need to be careful about when importing items in to the country. First you should check the Nigerian Customs service website for the list of contraband item’s so that you don’t end up importing an item that is prohibited  because if you do, you may have problems with customs and you goods may be seized.
Secondly be careful when importing jewelries, phones, power banks. Make sure you do your homework well and have established a trust bond with your seller so you don’t end up disappointed when your goods arrive.
 
Question:  What do I do if my goods get damaged or not what I ordered
 
Answer:  Aliexpress  usually holds the money for the seller for about 60 days through their escrow system, usually your goods should reach you before that time, and if you discover that it is damaged or not as was described by the seller, you should  inform the seller, if he doesn’t  respond favorable then you can open Dispute on the website.
 
Question: How can I sell my goods very fast?
 
Answer:  Selling your goods can be challenging sometimes especially if you are the shy type, but thank God for technology, you can leverage on the power of social media to do your marketing. Here are a few ideas you can implement.
a. open a Facebook fan page and invite your friends to like the page. That way they get to know when new items arrive. As the activity on the page increase, other people who are not you friends will get to see your page too which could in turn convert into new customers
b.Use your what’s app and BBM to get customers by changing your display picture to show the items you have for sale. You’ll be surprised at how many people will ask for what you are selling.

If there are any questions that you want answered but are not on the list, please leave it in the comment box below.
Thank you.

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Insipirational Quote For The Day- April 23rd 2015

You Only have control over 3 Things in you life:

The thoughs you think,the images you visualize and
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How To Avoid Getting Scammed When Searching for Products on Alibaba.com

Its important to conduct proper due diligence when conducting a transaction, most especially online. Fraud is an inherent risk in any business dealings, either trading online or offline. One needs to do due diligence when dealing with manufacturers and suppliers on Alibaba and other similar trade portals. one of the challenges to overcome will be the diversity in cultural perceptions and language barrier. I know how difficult it can be when negotiating and communicating with suppliers on Alibaba. There are lot of things to better your chances of having a good experience with the Chinese people, but it requires some energy. I have decided to share some tips with you based on my personal experiences and researches.

Things to Note when searching for suppliers online....

1. Many so called "Manufacturers" are actually Middlemen Sellers. Have it at the back of your mind that you won't be dealing with the actual manufacturers most times.

2. Everything is negotiable with the Chinese. Always try to get a fair deal and not a good deal. Negotiate in such a way that both parties would walk away saying, "That's Fair". If you try to squeeze the supplier's margin, you tend to starting out a partnership with one side feeling slighted. This has been one of the major reasons people get scammed. The supplier couldn't ship the product profitably, so they disappear.

3. If you ask 20 suppliers if they can make a product according to your specifications, they will all say yes. The truth is, maybe one of them can actually do that. But never take their words for it. Always ask for samples and references.

4. For every one product available on the Alibaba platform, there are tons of suppliers selling the same product. Always search around and get a few prices and samples, then compare to get the best.

5. Always remember that the Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) on Alibaba is negotiable. Although, you may have to pay more for a lower MOQ. you need to decide what is more important: Limiting your risk by reducing your inventory or buying the product cheaply. The result of your product testing will surely help you decide.

Now, Here are the things you need to do:

Research
Carry out a research on the product you intend buying. Check out the market selling price, the varying levels of quality of the product, common substitutions etc. you have an adequate knowledge about the product before proceeding into negotiation with Chinese suppliers. While sourcing for supplier, it was suggested using Google translate to convert the product name to Chinese and using the Chinese term to search Alibaba or other Chinese trade portals. Chinese List price is always cheaper compared to the English list price. For example, the English list price for a football jersey was $15, whereas the Chinese listing was $7. Always Conduct an extensive research!

Be Clear as much as Possible in Your Communication
The greatest challenge of buying from Chinese Manufacturers/Suppliers remains Language. The language barrier is very real. Chinese speaks little or not English at all. They frequently use translation programs to translate, and in most cases mis-translate e-mails. This can make the negotiation process a little frustrating. Always use simple and straightforward English. make use of numbers and bullet points as they can be easily be translated without problems.


Introduction Email
When searching for a supplier, keep your initial email contact clear and straightforward. Tell the supplier the exact product are seeking, your expectations in terms of quality, pricing details, cost of sample unit and including shipping to your address.

Here is a sample of simple email to send to suppliers and which I use most often:

"Hi (You can put his/her name here if you see it on their page)

I am interested in finding a supplier for (Insert product)

I have several questions:

1. What is your price per unit?
2. What is your minimum order quantity (MOQ)
3. What available colors do you have?
4. What forms of payment do you accept?

In addition, I will require a sample to inspect for quality. How much will 1 sample unit cost including shipping to Lagos, Nigeria.

I look forward to building a great business relationship with you.

XYZxyz@abc.com"

Get Samples
Contact many suppliers and request for samples. At times, I get 5-10 samples before choosing one. sure it will cost me money but its probably one of the most important decisions you will make in the business.

Be Ready to Walk Away
As with any business negotiations, always be ready to take a walk. If the price isn't fair enough, walk away. From my experience, Alibaba suppliers would follow-up relentlessly, they will send an email with a better price few days later.


TIPS FOR CHOOSING AND RESEARCHING A SUPPLIER ON ALIBABA

1. Do they have GOLD Member status?

2. Check the suppliers company info. Do they have Telephone, website and valid email address?

3. Does their email address match the company name? Would you trust a supplier communicating with a Hotmail or Chinese equivalent email address?

4. Although, this really isn’t an option for many people, try to visit manufacturer’s factory and tour of the factory floor. If you can’t do that, at least pretend that you are considering coming and ask if you can set up a time to come by. If they say no, it might be a red flag.

5. Invoices should be clear, written in English and specify all clauses and guarantees. Does all the information on the invoice match the previous information you know and have collected about the company?

6. Check/search the forums on Alibaba: has anyone else been scammed? Is the manufacturer’s name mentioned at all?

7. What are the payment terms? Does the manufacturer accept Escrow? Escrow is the best way to pay suppliers on Alibaba. Safer than any other means

Conclusion
Completing all these steps and point can help you have a good business experience and avoid being scammed. Remember, there is no replacement for common sense. If something feels weird, walk away. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Source: Nairaland

Introduction to China Mini Importation

Over the next couple of weeks i'm going to be sharing a Mini Course on  how to get started on your way to becoming a mini importer, buying anything to want online and safely having them shipped over to you right here in Nigeria.

 Its going to be a part series which promises to be rich with alot of "How to" China toNigeria importation tips that i bet you didn't know about.

Make sure you keep your eyes peeled and keep checking this blog from time to time as i reveal the same secrets alot of importers don't want you to know. Until Then, Cheers!!!