Doing business with chinese companies?

[hockey97]

Hi, I just found a few companies in china that sell computer parts. I plan to have a online computer store business. I am a computerwiz and can custom build computers for clients.

The company sent me a picture of his import and export certificate which is all in chinese and I don't read or know chinese language. They also gave me their business id and also gave me their bank of china information just in case I want to do a t/t.

They only allow payment threw t/t or western union. I asked if I can do it threw paypal but they said they can't after a experience they had with nigerians. They said they sent the goods to nigeria and they never told paypal that they got the goods. So paypal would give them back their money so they got the goods for free.

I would like to know the ins and out on how to make sure I don't get scammed. The guy seemed like he is legit.

Would like helpful advice on how to verify a Chinese company without walking to Chinese firm to help you out.

I am in college currently and don't have a whole lot of money to spend to fly to china or hire someone in china to verify the companies.

would like to hear your ideas on how to go abouts doing business in china.

[inkoholic]

With all do respect... buy American...

[hockey97]

why is that? I already looked around for computer parts in america. They are very over priced stuff.

I directly talked to american manufactors they redirected me to distributors and wholesellers and I got prices from them.

Yet their prices are very over priced. I looked for a server motherboard which I got the price for $540 from the wholeseller for just one unit.

then I went online and googled deals. I found the same motherboard as low as 300 bucks.

Now how could i compete with companies that buy their stuff from china and resells them here. if I buy it from american company that sells the stuff overpriced.

I find it dirt cheap in china compared to the american companies. I spent 2 years searching and looking around in America and then decided to just buy from china directly.

If I buy from american company I would for sure lose my shirt and my business won't take off. I can tell you that no one would pay more for stuff then they need too.

So If I buy the boards for 540 bucks I would need to increase it to at least 600 bucks a board. Yet all online stores can sell them less then 540 bucks.

So my business would end before even starting it.

[poorentrepreneur]

With all due respect by American? Why?

That's like saying buy the same shirt in the store next door for an extra 20 bucks! You wouldn't! I do have to say though that it is very difficult to know if you are going to get shafted. I am in the process of trying to identify if a Chinese supplier is legit too. They gave me the bank acc number persons name for a t/t. From what I have read the best way is if they accept a letter of credit or credit card.

If anyone has any helful answer to the op's question I'd like to her it.

[kdrifter440]

I dont think your going to find someone who is going to take a Credit Card from you in China

I would buy computer parts from America

to much hassle for you as a little guy to be buying from China...

Find someone in the USA to drop ship for you

If you choose to buy overseas

The cost of shipping will be huge I know sea freight sounds cheap at $150 per cubic meter but you will get burned on other shipping costs and then you need a customs broker they charge like $500 or more to file your paper work...

One time I ordered $10,000 worth of glow sticks from China. They deal was it was getting shipped to port of Miami for $800

Ended up going to port of LA. I got screwed cost $2500 more to truck from LA to Florida then they jacked me on storage

costs $200 a day while waiting for customs paperwork to be done and a whole bunch of other fees...Long story short is I ended up breaking even when I resold them

It was a very legit company in China but still had no intention of sending them to Miami they just wanted my 10 grand

if you still want to give it a try

and you worried about getting ripped off

find a supplier on Made-In-China.com or global sources

check to see how long they have been a member and if they are Premier paid member

I would fell safe sending my money if they have a good history on made-in-china.com

[lawinc]

Doing business in China is a delicate affair for Western companies trying to navigate the cultural rivers between the two societies, doing business in China is done at a slower pace more in tune with people. A willingness to understand these differences between cultures and their individual ways of thinking about business and to modify traditional Western business methods and ways of thought are crucial.

[rpermana]

first, you got to order 1 pc and check the quality & seller...

from my past experience, the product you received will not exactly look like the product in the photo..