Can we meet in person?+
Certainly. The introductory call by video or phone is free. If you would rather meet in person, that can be in Almere, at your own premises or somewhere else. You can expect me to come prepared: I present an advisory report with what I have been able to find out about your product and market by that point.
Do I have to travel to China myself?+
No, you don't. With Option A I travel alone and represent you fully, including photos, videos and an advisory report. If you want to come along, Option B covers the whole programme and I translate on site.
Which products can you help me with?+
From hair extensions to concrete vehicles, and from electronics to fitness equipment. The approach is always the same: sharpen the requirements, compare factories, verify on site and negotiate hard.
Can I have products made under my own brand?+
Yes, and it is often easier to arrange than people expect. Many Chinese factories work as OEM as a matter of course (your logo, your packaging, your specifications) or as ODM, where they adapt an existing design for you. It stands or falls with the selection of the manufacturer, because far from everyone offers it and the MOQ varies widely. I negotiate the MOQ, the packaging and any mould or tooling costs, and put it in writing before anything goes into production. Two examples are among the client cases: the carp fishing system was an OEM project, the concrete mixers an ODM project.
How do I know a supplier is really a factory?+
That is exactly why an on-site visit is worth so much. Many "factories" online are trading offices with a margin on top. On the factory floor I can tell within minutes whether a company actually manufactures, and in Mandarin I get answers you won't get in English.
Do you also handle the import, or only the sourcing?+
The import too. After the purchase I can arrange the rest: quality control via SGS before the final payment and shipment, transport with reliable Dutch freight forwarders, and customs clearance, import duties and VAT until the goods are with you. You have one point of contact, from factory to your door.
What is the difference between EXW, FOB, CIF and DDP?+
These are Incoterms: agreements on the point at which responsibility and costs pass from the supplier to you. Under EXW you collect the goods at the factory and arrange everything yourself, including the Chinese export declaration. Under FOB the factory delivers on board at the Chinese port; from there your own forwarder handles the sea freight. Under CIF the supplier also pays sea freight and insurance to Rotterdam, but you have little control over the carrier and the charges on arrival often turn out higher than expected. Under DDP the supplier delivers to your door including import duties: convenient, but usually with a hefty mark-up and little insight into how the import is declared. In most cases I recommend FOB with a Dutch forwarder. Which term works out cheapest depends on the product and the order, and I negotiate it as part of the price.
Do you work on commission for factories?+
No, never. I receive no commissions from suppliers and have no stake in which factory you choose. You pay me, so I advise exclusively in your interest.
How does payment work?+
You receive a fixed-price quote upfront. You pay 30% in advance and 70% on completion, once the goods have arrived at their destination. If the assignment does not include the import, completion is when I deliver my report. Travel costs are for your account and passed on at actual cost, without markup.
What if I ask you to start and the project does not go ahead?+
If you give me the go-ahead to start, that counts as an assignment, even if you say so verbally at the end of an in-person meeting. I then start preparing straight away: approaching and vetting factories, planning, and working out the technical Mandarin terms for your product. If the project does not go ahead after that, I charge the hours spent and any costs incurred, as set out in the
terms and conditions. Still in doubt? Just say so, and I will only start once you confirm definitively.
What if no suitable factory is found?+
Then that's exactly what the report will say: why not, and what the alternative is. Another region, adjusted specifications, or sometimes honest advice not to proceed. Unwelcome news, but always cheaper than a wrong container.
Can you also help after the first order?+
Absolutely. Many clients bring me back for repeat inspections, new product lines or renegotiating prices. Since I attend every Canton Fair, I can simply keep visiting your supplier there.
In which languages can we work together?+
Dutch, English and Spanish, and with the factories I switch to Mandarin (HSK 4). Most clients are Dutch companies, but I have also worked for businesses from other countries, such as Peru and Ireland.
