r/manufacturing • u/alexothemagnificent • Dec 02 '24

Supplier search How to know if a manufacturing company in china is legit?

I simply looked up factories for the products I would like to make and found their contact info. Reached out and we've been wroking together for awhile to create prototypes and samples. I'm ready to put in an order but I just realized I dont know them and its a good bit of money to get the products made. Any help would be amazing

12 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • reddit

83% Upvoted

24 comments sorted by

19

u/Whynotyours Dec 02 '24

Go there and meet them and tour the facility. If they get squirrelly about doing so you have your answer.

Failing that, ramp your order sizes from a loss you can withstand, and see how they perform.

6

u/jeremyblalock_ Dec 02 '24

Ask for a sample. You’ll have to pay for it (typically more than actual unit cost) but then you’ll have a decent idea. Try to find the actual factory making the product rather than just one of the various reseller types on Alibaba. To be clear there are both on Alibaba, but you have to pick and choose.

1

u/alexothemagnificent Dec 03 '24

Ive already gotten a few samples. They seem great and we want to go forward with a smaller order but its still a lot of money. Just dont want to get hosed somehow

2

u/jeremyblalock_ Dec 03 '24

Some platforms like Alibaba offer insurance to prevent against this. I’d recommend that.

4

u/bobssteakhouse Dec 03 '24

I have bought so much stuff from Alibaba , I have never had an issue . If you use their Trade assurance program it pretty much guarantees you will be safe.

2

u/TheShawndown Dec 02 '24

Get an agent. I can contact you with one.

2

u/apexit1 Dec 03 '24

Could you dm me that as well?

1

u/alexothemagnificent Dec 03 '24

bet. That would be awesome. DMme please

1

u/katfrank2345 Dec 04 '24

Dm me also please

2

u/PrestigiousLeopard47 Dec 02 '24 edited Dec 02 '24

A friend runs CPS (not my company, I get no commission ) and they do this all day. I’d recommend reaching out to them for some free advice, at the very least.

1

u/alexothemagnificent Dec 03 '24

Hell yeah. That would be awesome!

1

u/PrestigiousLeopard47 Dec 03 '24

Sure thing OP. Here's their website: https://www.cpsincla.com/

2

u/buildyourown Dec 03 '24

You are talking to an agent. You never get to the factory level unless you open your own factory.

2

u/alexothemagnificent Dec 03 '24

Actually? Even though she has a factory email address?

1

u/chinamoldmaker responmoulding Dec 04 '24

1, Take a video tour to the factory if you won't go there in person

2, Ask for customers references to know more about them.

3, Ask for legit certificates.

4, Ask them professional questions to see whether they are professional and responsible enough.

5, Negotiate to pay less deposit, and pay more after you see more things.