Introduction:
If you’re an importer looking to source furniture, you have a lot of options. You can look for companies that sell products directly, or you can go through middlemen who act as intermediaries between the manufacturer and the buyer. Whichever approach you choose will depend on your budget, needs and skillset: if you’re just starting out in this business then it may be best to start with one of these methods first before moving on to others.
Get Your Business Ready:
The first step in getting your business ready is to make sure that it’s well-funded. This means having enough capital to cover all the costs associated with importing furniture and setting up a new warehouse space. You should also have the right people on hand who can help take care of things like logistics and customer service while keeping an eye on the bottom line. You should find a small house for rent and setup your office there, so to look more professional!
Next, research potential suppliers before reaching out to them directly; this way, you’ll have an idea of what kind of products they offer before asking them questions about their manufacturing process or timeline for delivery (and whether or not those things will work within yours). Once these initial conversations have been had, get ready for some serious legwork: sourcing furniture requires networking at trade shows around the world as well as plenty of planning back at home base so that everything goes smoothly once orders start coming in!
Know What You Want and When You Want It:
The next step is to know exactly what you want, when and where you want it. This includes the type of furniture that will be imported, the delivery date and any other requirements such as customization or special packaging. It’s also important that these details are clearly communicated with suppliers so there are no misunderstandings about what has been agreed upon.
Make sure you know the furniture factory’s payment methods:
- Payment methods are an important consideration when choosing a furniture or sofa manufacturer. You will want to make sure that the payment method is clear, flexible and secure.
- It’s also important to know if your supplier accepts international bank transfers or if they only accept cash payments in person at their factory. This will help you avoid any unnecessary delays or costs that could arise from having to transfer money overseas in order to pay for your products.
- You should also ask your potential manufacturers about how they handle refunds and returns when something goes wrong with an order–this can be especially important if you’re ordering custom pieces!
Set Up a Virtual Office:
If you’re interested in importing furniture, setting up a virtual office is a good idea. A virtual office can help you manage your business and make it more efficient. For example, if you have an office in New York City but want to do business with manufacturers who are located in China having a virtual office will allow you to communicate with them as if they were local businesses instead of international ones. Make sure to set a corner specifically for video calls, decorate the wall with the stone work, put a fancy chair, add frames or certifications (if you had any), in this way the client will definitely be in awe of your style!
The other advantage of using this technique when sourcing products is that it allows importers like yourself access information about suppliers that wouldn’t be available otherwise due to language barriers or cultural differences between countries where these companies operate (or don’t).
Pick up your own samples, or send samples to manufacturers:
If you’re an importer, it is essential for you to pick up your own samples when sourcing furniture. This will allow you to ensure that the quality is as promised and that the product matches what was ordered. You can also use this opportunity to inspect the craftsmanship firsthand and make sure everything looks good before placing an order with a supplier or manufacturer.
When should I pick up my own sample? If possible, try not to wait until after placing an order because this may result in delays and additional costs incurred by paying extra freight forwarding fees which could have been avoided if we had picked up earlier on (or even better yet–before!).
Negotiate your price in advance with supplier:
The important step in sourcing furniture is to get a quote from the supplier. Make sure that you negotiate the price before committing to the order, because once you’ve made an agreement and paid for it, it will be difficult (if not impossible) for you to change your mind later on.
Know your budget before going into negotiations with any supplier: if possible, base this number on how much money has been allocated for this project in your company’s annual budget plan; otherwise make sure that whatever amount of money you quote will not exceed what is reasonable given what other companies are charging for similar products or services at present.
Brainstorm:
Brainstorming is a method of problem solving and idea generation. It’s also a group activity that allows people to generate alternative solutions, ideas and strategies for solving problems.
- In brainstorming, you gather together a group of people who are knowledgeable about your industry or area of business. These can include employees from all levels of your company (from executives to frontline staff). You’ll want them to represent as wide a range of perspectives as possible so that everyone has something valuable to contribute during the session.
- You then ask each person in turn what they think could be done better or differently in order for their department/team/product line/etc., depending on what exactly you’re trying to improve upon at this time.
- Brainstorming works best when everyone involved agrees beforehand on some rules: no criticism allowed; no negative comments allowed; no interruptions allowed; etc.
Web research:
Web research is an essential step in the sourcing process. The Internet offers a wealth of information about potential suppliers, including their websites and social media accounts. Check out their websites to see if they are a good fit for your business. Look at their product catalogs and see what they’re selling (what kinds of products do they have? Are these products something that would interest your customers?). Then look at customer reviews on these sites or elsewhere online; how do people feel about this company?
Online marketplaces:
Online marketplaces are a great way to find furniture suppliers. They allow you to search for manufacturers, wholesalers, importers and exporters of all types of furniture. You can also find information about their products and services as well as their credibility rating from previous buyers. This makes it easier for you to choose the right supplier for your business needs.
Trade shows and events:
Trade shows and events are a great place to meet new suppliers, get inspiration for new designs and learn about the latest trends in furniture.
If you’re looking to source new furniture suppliers, trade shows are an excellent place to start. You’ll be able to see the products up close and personal, as well as speak directly with their manufacturers or distributors about their capabilities. Trade shows will also give you an idea of what kind of volume each company can produce so that you can determine if they’re right for your business model–and if not, there’s always another show around the corner!
Finding wholesale furniture suppliers:
Finding a furniture supplier can be a daunting task. There are many things you need to consider before you start sourcing for a new supplier. You should have an idea of what kind of furniture you want to import, how much money your company is willing to spend on inventory, and what kind of discounts are available from different suppliers in the market.
The first step towards finding a good supplier is research: try searching online for reviews about various companies selling similar products as yours; read through comments posted by customers who have purchased goods from these companies; look up their social media presence (Facebook page). This will give you an idea as to whether or not they offer quality products at competitive prices.
Finding quality furniture manufacturers:
Finding quality furniture manufacturers is one of the most difficult tasks for importers. There are many factors that can lead you to make the wrong decision when choosing a supplier, but there are also some things you can do to help ensure that your choice is a good one.
First, it’s important to know what makes a manufacturer “quality.” Some things you might look for include:
- A minimum number of years in business (5-10)
- An ISO 9001 certification or equivalent quality management system (QMS) certifications like BSCI or SA8000
Multiple sourcing channels to get the best prices and quality:
In order to import furniture successfully, you need to think of it as a complex business. It’s not just about buying things and selling them at a profit. There are many things that go into sourcing furniture such as:
- Networking with manufacturers and exporters in China
- Researching the market thoroughly so that you can find out who sells what and at what price points
- Finding out how much each item costs to make (and then calculating profit margins)
SARFAR:
SARFAR is a database of furniture manufacturers and suppliers. It’s a great place to find the best furniture manufacturers in your area, because it has all the information you need in one place.
SARFAR is an online directory of furniture manufacturers, who are listed according to their location and type of products offered. SARFAR also has some useful features such as job postings for companies looking for workers with specific skillsets or experience levels; industry news articles about new technologies being developed in the field; and advice columns on how best to manage your finances when starting up your own business.
Yellow Pages(YP):
Yellow Pages(YP) is one of the best places to find furniture importers. It has a huge database of furniture importers and has a lot of good reviews and ratings for them. You can also get a lot of information about the company you want to buy from YP.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to get started with sourcing, we hope that this article has helped you understand the importance of doing research and networking before making any decisions.
