Finding a list of companies in China...

[xuechengfeng]

Any clue on the best way to go about doing this? I tried google, but I didn't get anything I was really looking for. I was looking for scrap metal companies in China. Also, what would be the best word for scrap metal? Looking through a couple of dictionaries, I found 废金属 . Also, for anybody who has done business in China, what is the best method of contact? Can you just go to a business and talk to someone and/or call/e-mail or do you have to work that 关系?

[LaoZhang]

Not everything, but something to start with here.

[Radial]

check in alibaba... www.alibaba.com

[skylee]

try alibaba.com -> http://www.alibaba.com/trade/search?Type=SALE%2CAGENT%2CMISC&year=&month=&location=&keyword=&SearchText=scrap+metal&Country=CN&srchLocation=&srchYearMonth=&IndexArea=offer_en&CatId=0

[xuechengfeng]

that's a really helpful link, thanks all... sadly, didn't even know that site existed.

[gougou]

what is the best method of contact? Can you just go to a business and talk to someone and/or call/e-mail or do you have to work that 关系?

Normally, that depends on whether you're selling or buying. But given that you are looking into scrap metal, you should be fairly welcome as a seller as well.

One thing though, avoid email, they get ignored way too often. Try calling, or a fax if you need something written.

[xuechengfeng]

Will most companies I contact speak English or should I try talking to them in Chinese and either try to maintain conversation that way or have them get someone who speaks English?

[gougou]

That's easy enough - ask them (in Chinese) whether they speak English, or have somebody that does, and if the answer is no, stick to Chinese. (In some cases, you will find that you get more done by sticking to Chinese even if they claim to have somebody who speaks English )