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The profit of a business depends to a large extent on the quality and cost of the product which it sells. Finding a reliable and affordable supplier or manufacturer for a particular product is usually a very time-consuming task for a business. Hence many businesses prefer to use the services of a sourcing agent to find a reliable supplier and ensure that the products are delivered on time. There are many sourcing agents in New Zealand, so businesses that are interested in using the services of a sourcing agent would like to know how to choose a product sourcing agent. Some tips which will help them make the right decision and also save time are provided below.
One of the main factors which influence the choice of the sourcing agent is the country from which the business wishes to source products. China is world-famous for producing a wide range of materials and products at a low cost. Hence most businesses interested in reducing the cost of their raw material or products will source the products using China manufacturing companies. So for using sourcing products from China it is better to choose a product sourcing agent who has a wide network in China. The sourcing agent should speak the Chinese language, be familiar with the corporate culture and business practices.
Though TK Wang, founder of Epic Sourcing is based in New Zealand at present, he is originally from China making him the right choice for sourcing products from China. It is also advisable to check how many companies the sourcing agent has in his database since this will determine the time and effort to find a suitable supplier. While there are thousands of companies selling products online, verifying whether the company is genuine and supplies quality products will take some time. Ideally, the sourcing agent should have at least one thousand verified companies listed with him, so that he can quickly find a verified supplier for his client.
Most businesses are using the services of a sourcing agent to reduce their expenses, so, it is advisable to find out how much money the sourcing agent can help the business save. The business should ask the sourcing agent how he will ensure that the products which are manufactured or supplied will conform to the specifications, quality standards that are required. In some cases, the sourcing agent will have personally inspected the factory to ensure that they have the necessary machinery, staff and systems in place or in other cases, the services of a third party inspection agency will be used.
The sourcing agent should also be asked how he will check the quality of the products, what guarantee or warranty he is offering on the product quality. In some cases, the agent has already worked with the Chinese business earlier, and in other cases, he may ask for quality checking reports. Only after conforming to the quality standards, the agent should allow the items to be shipped. The business should also find out what kind of assistance he is offering for shipping and customs clearance, how quickly he can complete the process and deliver the products.
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