Request for Quotes - How to create an RFQ that suppliers love

The RFQ will be the first thing that a supplier reads from you. It’s important that a good RFQ both introduces your product and yourself in a manner that a supplier will want to do business with you. A good RFQ should be simple and easy to read while also covering all essential details. How is a Request for Quote different from a Spec Sheet? To be honest for some projects there isn’t that much difference. For other projects, they can be drastically different. Why? It really depends on the complexity of the project. If you are sourcing a simple item you can use your full spec sheet in the RFQ, but if the project is more complex, then you may want to make a simplified product spec sheet to attach to the RFQ.

Scams by Alibaba Suppliers // 12+ scams when Sourcing Amazon FBA Products

If you are looking for products product on Alibaba or one of it’s many alternatives, then there is a high likelihood that you will come across someone trying to rip you off. They love to target first time buyers who do not know any better. We wrote this guide so that you be aware of the most common ones. We also have a more in depth guide on this topic about how to spots scams and verify suppliers

Types of Suppliers in China and Vietnam When Product Sourcing

If you’re searching for a supplier, these are the different types of companies you will encounter in China. When sourcing on Alibaba, Global Sources or other similar websites, be careful as many trading companies and wholesalers will present themselves as factories. It’s difficult to tell from a beginner's perspective, and it can take a second look to tell them apart. Always remember that the best supplier is buying from the factory directly and not from a reseller.

Product Validation - Setting the Foundation for Product Sourcing

Validation is a great place to set the foundation for sourcing your product. During validation, you’re able to organize your project and get everything in place for the full sourcing. For most projects, this should be the first real step in starting your sourcing journey, or second only to selecting your product idea and coming up with a product spec sheet. Most of the time, we feel it’s wise to do validation before the final product specification sheet or when you have a vague idea about a product or a niche a client wishes to tackle. Validation allows you to figure out if your product can be made, and if so, will it be profitable.

Guide to Tariffs and Customs Duty - How to Easily Import your Product

By now you should know that the US has imposed a 10% tariff on around $200 Billion worth of goods exported from China into the United States and is expected to rise to 25% on March 1st, pending a lack of a trade agreement. Now there is a great deal of uncertainty with the tariffs, but we will let you know how you can navigate it the best that you can. Even before the current trade dispute, buyers still had to pay duties and customs fees on a wide range of products shipped into the United States.

Canton Fair 2019: Guide to the Spring 2019 Canton Fair!

Are You Going To The Fall 2018 Canton Fair But Don’t Know What To Expect? Check Out Our Insider Guide So That You Can Master The Fair Before You Go. The Canton Fair In Guangzhou, Held Every Spring And Fall, Is The Largest Trade Fair In The World. This Is Easily One Of The Best Places To Find And Connect With Potential Suppliers And Add To Your List Of Contacts.

How to Create a Product Specification Sheet for your FBA Product

If you can imagine a product, then there is a probably a factory who can build it. China and Vietnam have a seemingly endless number of manufacturers that have the capabilities to make a wide variety of products. But how do you know that the supplier makes your product exactly as you want? With a well-written product specification sheet. While it takes several steps to make your idea into a product, one of the first things you need to do is create a product specification sheet. Cosmo Sourcing has simplified this process into our simple sourcing, which has 4 steps: Plan, find, make and ship.

Incoterms Defined: What does EXW, FCA, FOB, DAP, DAT, DDP, CPT, CIP, CIF, CFR, or FAS Mean?

Are you unsure about the trade terms of Alibaba or Chinese suppliers? Don't know what the 3 letters that came with your quote mean? Cosmo has defined the 2010 Incoterms abbreviations, such as FOB, CFR, and DAP for international trade. Incoterms, often called trade terms or shipping terms, are an international contract of sale. Incoterms is short for International Commercial Terms. EXW and FOB are far and away the two most common incoterms. Incoterms are published by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) who hold the copyright.

How to Negotiate with Suppliers in China and Vietnam - Tips to save you $1,000 on your project

Want to potentially save 1000’s of dollars on your next project? Check out these tips from our expert sourcing professionals

Like most people you want to save as much money as possible when you buy your products. In Chinese society, negotiations are expected and are part of business norms. But be warned, many factories have years, if not decades, of experience negotiating. We made this guide in order to give you a leg up on as you prepare to negotiate with your suppliers.

Questions to ask Alibaba Suppliers - The best questions to get the most out of a supplier

Don’t know what to ask suppliers? What should you know from suppliers before you buy from them?

If you're reading this we already assume that you have found suppliers on Alibaba or another website like Global Sources, and are now ready to reach out to them. By this point, you should have a large list of suppliers. Once you have the suppliers, Now comes the hard part-- talking to them. When asking suppliers questions you need to be polite and professional yet thorough and assertive. Check out this guide to learn more.

Alibaba Alternatives for Vietnam sourcing: 12+ resources to find products in Vietnam

Are you looking to source products from Vietnam? Not sure who you can trust? Need a Vietnam Sourcing Company to help you out? Vietnam Manufacturing is booming and finding the right supplier is getting easier but it’s not as easy as China and there are still several challenges. One of the biggest issues with finding suppliers is that the business landscape of Vietnam is fragmented. This guide compiles the best ways to find a supplier in Vietnam. Read our guide to learn how!

What Products are Made in Vietnam - Vietnam Product Manufacturing and Sourcing

Are you looking to source from Vietnam but you’re not sure what’s made there? Want to know more about the manufacturing landscape of Vietnam? We made this guide so that you can understand Vietnams industry better and be more prepared when you source product from Vietnam.

China Product Sourcing vs. Vietnam Product Sourcing - Which is better for you product

Are you interested to see how sourcing products from Vietnam compare to China? Do you want to know the pros and cons of sourcing products from Vietnam? Curious as to how a sourcing company in Vietnam works? When I compare the two countries I try to think of China as a large mature corporate behemoth and Vietnam as the small but promising and rapidly growing start-up. In this guide, we’ll go through the reason of whether it’s better to source from China or Vietnam for your next product!

Alibaba Alternatives: 30+ Websites for Amazon FBA Product Sourcing

Are you tired of Sourcing from Alibaba for your FBA Business? If you’re sourcing products for Amazon, then use this guide to find alternatives to Alibaba for FBA product Sourcing. Sourcing Alibaba has long been the standard for finding suppliers in China, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only resource for sourcing products for FBA. We created a list of Alibaba alternatives so that you can find suppliers in China as well as Vietnam, Taiwan, South Korea and globally.

Incoterms, Shipping, and Trade Terms Defined - FOB, EXW, FCA, CPT, CIP, DDP etc.

ARE YOU UNSURE ABOUT THE TRADE TERMS OF ALIBABA OR CHINESE SUPPLIERS? DON'T KNOW WHAT THE 3 LETTERS THAT CAME WITH YOUR QUOTE MEAN? COSMO HAS DEFINED THE 2010 INTERCOMS ABBREVIATIONS, SUCH AS FOB, CFR, AND DAP FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE.

Vietnam Sourcing Guide: How to find Suppliers in Vietnam

Vietnam is quickly emerging out of China's shadow and becoming a primary destination to source products. With the third fastest growing economy in the world and a young yet skilled workforce, it's no wonder that there is a rush to source products in Vietnam.

Fall 2018 Canton Fair Guide!

Are you going to the Fall 2018 Canton Fair but don’t know what to expect? Check out our insider guide so that you can master the fair before you go. The Canton fair in Guangzhou, held every spring and fall, is the largest trade fair in the world. This is easily one of the best places to find and connect with potential suppliers and add to your list of contacts.

China Sourcing, FBA Sourcing, Product Sourcing, Sourcing Guide, Vietnam Sourcing, Vietnam Sourcing GuideJames KennemerAugust 20, 2018Comment

Alibaba Scams and Fraud Guide - Avoid getting ripped off when FBA Sourcing

Are you afraid of getting ripped off when FBA Sourcing? Want to know which suppliers are legitimate on Alibaba? Here's our guide to common Scams on Alibaba, and ways to become an expert when buying from Vietnam, China and beyond. Buying a product from China for FBA can be intimidating. To avoid scams you need to know about the culture and the business environment as well as tricks you can use to properly vet suppliers.

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