Guangzhou sourcing playbook
Everything we wish somebody had told us before the first trip.
Plan the trip: when to come
Two full days is enough for most buyers if you know which markets to skip.
Read →How wholesale pricing works
The same dress can be quoted at three different prices depending on how you ask.
Read →What to say at the counter
Four sentences in Chinese will change the price you are offered.
Read →Payment, currency and deposits
Cash is still king inside the markets; bank transfers are for production orders.
Read →Quality control before you pay
Almost every market sale is final. Your only protection is checking before payment.
Read →Shipping, logistics and customs
Every market has freight agents within 200 metres. Choose before you buy, not after.
Read →Common traps and how to avoid them
Nothing here is illegal, but the market rewards buyers who check everything.
Read →Working with an agent or interpreter
An agent is worth it when your order is large, your time is short or you need production.
Read →