business language

[Scoobyqueen]

as title

[DrWatson]

How do you know if a Chinese company does not want to do business with you or you are not a high enough volume customer? Any hints would be gratefully received. In fact, are there any other signs that I may not have come across yet but that are good to know?

My experience with companies in East Asia in general is that most companies will stop replying to e-mails or mention something like export laws or domestic market over-demand if they don't want to do business. If their company is the more "powerful" (i.e. market leaders or unique manufacturers), then they might say that "there is not a clear business case" and try to end any communication.

In general I have found when you first make contact you have to give a clear presentation of your company, make your company stand out, explain how "working together" will provide a benefit, and you have to state market statistics and production and/or sales projections. If all of this is spelled out in the beginning the companies tend to take you seriously and might return to you with the information you need or perhaps a request for a telephone meeting. If they're not interested, they might send a polite communique stating lack of business interests or a case for business.

That has been my experience as a westerner being caught on both sides (requester and manufacturer) in small business and medium-size business in Asia.

[BrandeX]

If your MOQ is too low, they probably don't want to deal with you diectly. That's where trading companies come in to fill the gap.