Trip to China??

tonster · 29-09-2007, 06:38 PM

I have been thinking about this long and hard and have come to the conclusion that I should just go to China for "inspiration".

My weakness is that I want do and sell everything

Am I mad to go out there in hope of finding wholesalers or how much contact/relations should I establish before actually going out?

Any advice, preferably if you have done this yourself...

**greedyboy** · 29-09-2007, 06:54 PM

Establsh all your contacts before you go, even sample orders. Then structure your meetings 4 or 5 a day to get the most from your trip.

It works out best to travel to Hong Kong first and then depending where you want to visit in China (Shenzhen I'd presume) you can get the bus to the mainland which takes about an hour.

Prperation is key, do all the donkey work before you go then like me you can try and get away with only a couple of trips a year.

Oh and don't forget you will need a business visa and in order to get that you have to be invited.

tonster · 29-09-2007, 07:06 PM

Thanks greedyboy, just done search there too and seen some advice regarding this...some flights are coming up as cheap as 389 return..

IS the process extremely complicated?

Could you recommend and books to read up on it in a bit more detail..found one on amazon for 70 something quid...surely theres something cheaper...

How long would you need to go for each time for it to be effective?

**greedyboy** · 29-09-2007, 07:12 PM

Flight can vary depending obvioulsy on the time of year, trade shows, national holidays etc. Budget for about £400 - £600. Quality hotels are cheap also but that will depend on the time of year/trade shows etc.

I just booked my hotel in Wan Chai for 3 nights and didn't get much change from £700 becuase of the trade show! I also have the same hotel for one night 5 days before and the price was only £50! Captitalism huh!

The process is easy, obviously if you know what you are doing. It's just like any other meeting except it takes place in another country.

You do not need a £70 book, just common sense. But if you want to pay £70, I'll advise you for half that

Seriously, in two weeks is a major show in HK and the next is in April. I will be there next week but if that is too short notice aim to go in April and kill two birds with one stone (I am not referring to the late night entertainment

).

tonster · 29-09-2007, 07:21 PM

Could you advise me of the site for the trede shows or PM me if you like...

I could go then yes...it would be worth my while to find wholesalers..

As i said...I am not industry specific at the minute and more looking for ideas than anything else...

I do not want to continue odd deals here and there...

**greedyboy** · 29-09-2007, 08:04 PM

As for trade shows they tend to be industry specific. It will depend on what products/sector you are looking at?

redsky · 30-09-2007, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonster

I have been thinking about this long and hard and have come to the conclusion that I should just go to China for "inspiration".

My weakness is that I want do and sell everything

Am I mad to go out there in hope of finding wholesalers or how much contact/relations should I establish before actually going out?

Any advice, preferably if you have done this yourself...

If you can afford to go for inspiration then be it.Deep down i think you seem to be rushing things.Greedyboys advice is good but it sounds a lot easier than it actually is.You are not going to get of a plane and stroll straight into a wholesalers of your choice.Establish more contacts.Visit trade shows closer to home uk and europe.Time is money.There is nothing wrong with being open minded and open to ideas.You will find certain areas manufacture certain products.Agents claiming they have factories all over china when they are just brokering goods.Shenzhen is more for electrical goods.China is a minefield you really do need to tread carefully.When I was last there I had to visit a bank with my supplier and the bank staff were terrified i had just met him and was going to be transferring money over to someone i had just met.I had'nt but the staff told me plenty have.Reports of chinese hong kong business men been kidnapped at shenzhen train station were confirmed as true by our hotel management.Travel over to shanghai and it is completely different again.As safe a place as anywhere i have been.More modern and definately more touristy.Greedyboy has offered you the chance to "hook up" with him,maybe it's an offer you wont be able to refuse as it will help you get a feel for the place. If you are staying(alone) in hong kong try the shamrock hotel,nathan rd,kowloon.Cheapish clean and a great lobby to see the comings and goings of people like ourselves who are out there looking for there golden egg.Good luck.

**greedyboy** · 30-09-2007, 09:03 AM

Good advice there.

Shenzhen can be a bit 'rough' and you need you wits about you.

The other option and what I used to do was visit the markets, buy lods of tat, fill up your suit case and sell it down the pub

A prime example would be high quality leather laptop cases for 2 or 3 quid, quality leather shoes for the same money, genuine 925 sterling silver jewelry for pennies . You can get all sorts

In fact silver is great, you can buy 100pcs for next to nothing, takes up no room and when you sell it for £20 a unit your whole trip is paid for.

That used to pay for my trip and a few quid on top. Now a can't be ars*d but still end up with lots of goodies! Can't help doing a deal whether I'm in a boardroom or in the local Chinese/Hong Kong market.

Most of the weekly markets in China are like mini trade fairs and most markets are industry specific such as 'electronic market', 'silver market', etc. Some contacts can be made but you have to be sharp as a knife and not for the faint hearted.

Also helps that I have Chinese speaking people based in China that accompany me.

FiveStarWholesale · 30-09-2007, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greedyboy

Also helps that I have Chinese speaking people based in China that accompany me.

That's the most important part of your trip. Get someone who is knowledgeable in the industry who speaks the 'lingo'. As a first timer this will really help you to open doors and also to increase your chances of getting a better deal.

Visit http://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en/index.asp . This site contains lots of information on the biggest trade show in China (Canton Fair). It also allows you to get hold of the 'Invite' that Greedyboy mentions, which will allow you to gain a Visa.

Going to China doesn't guarantee you success. You need to do your homework. Visit sites like Alibaba and check out their forums. Learn the tell-tell signs of a scammer and plan your travel as China is massive!

The last tip I'd give you is make sure you visit a Travel Site. There are certain types of behaviour and actions which are 'acceptable' in The UK which will get you into alot of trouble out there! Remember, it is still a communist country.

polarbear · 30-09-2007, 01:09 PM

if you want inspiration, one destination is a must go
Zhejiang province next to Shanghai City.
you can find anything apart from electronic goods which mainly based in Shenzhen city.
visiting different market is the best way to get inspirated.
the market is totally different from markets in UK
many market stalls are actually small factory's show room and sales department, to attract business buyers.
it is better if you are not big buyer to visit market than trade show