Buying in Bulk from China

CCfiles

Just looking on advice on the above. Have a novel idea that probably would take off with the right people. The base product would have to come in from India/China for price.

My question is.

I have a design (eg Toy train), I need samples before bulk ordering of the product (How would I go about this). The product will be made of plastic (Toy train), i have very clear design prints of the original train basic details and some real pics.....would that suffice?

any help appreciated.;)

Niall O Reilly

The factory will ask for a sample which you dont have, just the design and photos... So they'll make a mould based on your specs... which of course they'll charge you for...
In my experience a couple of matters for you to think about... which factory / how to communicate (negotiate) effectively / and ensuring that what is made is done exactly according to your specs..

Niall

CCfiles

Niall O Reilly wrote: »

The factory will ask for a sample which you dont have, just the design and photos... So they'll make a mould based on your specs... which of course they'll charge you for...
In my experience a couple of matters for you to think about... which factory / how to communicate (negotiate) effectively / and ensuring that what is made is done exactly according to your specs..

Niall

Niall to keep using the train as an example if had a picture of a model of said train and wanted it reduced in size to say 3inches long, 1 inch heigh, and 1 inch wide. For a mould and sample could you give a ballpark figure, i can appreciate it varies just looking for a rough outlook.

Niall O Reilly

CCfiles wrote: »

Niall to keep using the train as an example if had a picture of a model of said train and wanted it reduced in size to say 3inches long, 1 inch heigh, and 1 inch wide. For a mould and sample could you give a ballpark figure, i can appreciate it varies just looking for a rough outlook.

I expect I can provide the advice you seek, as I've been dealing with factories in China for about 20 years... There are a couple of matters with respect to the mould that you'd need to consider, not least the type of plastic, and potential volumes. Your size is small, and appears to be specialised.

Do you have a supplier in mind?

You'll find 100s of plastics injection moulders on Alibaba, but figuring who's who and what's what is an entirely different ball game...

All the best

Niall

scottyboy1973

CC. In my experience there are two ways you can do all this. Spend the cash going over there to meet potential suppliers and do a big recce OR invest the cash and engage the services of someone over ther. To do the trawl for you. That way you have a fall back if they screw up and, more importantly, they'll have the contacts and nouse to ensure that the job gets done properly in the first place

ps-I'm not a bad speller, just on a train typing on iPhone!

CCfiles

Thanks for the advise but to be perfectally honest i am a student with minimal cash flows i would not be capable of investing to those limits. I can provide the images of the finished product but not to the required scale to counter any issues relating to the mould going wrong along with simple plans and cad drawings.

Niall O Reilly

CCfiles wrote: »

Thanks for the advise but to be perfectally honest i am a student with minimal cash flows i would not be capable of investing to those limits. I can provide the images of the finished product but not to the required scale to counter any issues relating to the mould going wrong along with simple plans and cad drawings.

Sootyboy raises a good point.. but in my experience spending at least Euro 4,000 getting on a plane to Beijing, being accosted by your new Alibaba friend (as in the supplier you met on Alibaba, who says sure they can do everything for you), who then proceeds to bury you in the China culture experience (all meats look the same when battered and deep-fried), which allows you no time to check out a better supplier (who may even be located across the road), of even to check where you actually are located.... then there is the accommodation, and cost of office downtime, and all the long-distance follow up...

Well in my view it's best to work with someone on the ground who you can trust, who can set everything up with the supplier for you, and do all the follow-up drudge work (they could even have you company business card, giving the supplier the impression you've a local presence)... You'll find that your Euro 4000 spent (or whatever you calculate as the cost of going to China to source product) on this sort of approach is money well spent if all you eventually have to do is fly out to meet the best supplier in your own time.

CCFiles, has a problem. He wants to source from China (as many importers in Ireland do) but he doesn't have the budget for a large order/investment. I have a potentially more cost effective approach.

CCFiles can you tell us your entire budget / the potential size of your bulk order / and your mode of delivery? (Euro 1800 is the cost of a 20 foot container)

Niall

Atlas_IRL

Check out chinagreen.ie they would be able to help you.

policymaker

Hi CC Files,
Firstly, the toy industry is an industry that hold their conventions and trade shows in February. The reason being that trade shows pertain to selling the toy's advertisement - It is held in February so the media ads can be discussed with buyers - then the product is manufactured as it is beleived the advertisement will work - a tap of marketing regards making what the consumer is looking for, before they even know they are looking for it.
Now - Its great that you are student with an idea and let that be one of your core values. Your next step! - you know,- Liam Casey won Irish International Entrepreneur of the Year and was also a finalists in the world entrepreneur awards, they call him Mr China the world over, because he provides solutions to people with ideas just like yours, his company PCH International, based in Cork and, China - will look at your idea if you have been granted funding - they have a database of 900 product manufacturers in China, they also have a team of engineers who will design and your concept and then one of those 900 factories will manufacture your product - their logistics set up is integrated with their ICT as part of their business model, so they can ship directly from warehouse in China throughout the world - to you, your distributor or the online customer.
Sercomsolutions based in Limerick offer a similar service.
Now you say you have limited finances, however, obtaining funding through investors for a product like yours will be favoured by savvy investors as you have the ability to display how your product will sell, by selling the advertisement, the advertisement being your passion for the product. get a plan together -look at PCH International website, read about Mr China. Liam Casey. and don't stop reflecting upon every action and evaluating your progress.
Good Luck