Which is more important, the customer or the supplier? I think a good supplier is as important as a good customer, even more important than a customer. Do you agree with me?
Well, when you do business with Chinese suppliers, how do you know if the metal parts supplier is a good one or not? As a person who has been working in the machining industry for 15+ years, I would like to share some suggestions with you based on suppliers’ performances of pre-sale, sale, and after-sale. I hope they are helpful to you.
Today, let’s start from pre-Sale!
Pre-Sale
See how well the metal parts supplier’s capabilities can match your needs.
In general, the supplier is not the bigger the better. For custom metal parts manufacturing, machines and quality control capability are very important. Therefore, before sending the drawing quotation, buyers could check the vendor’s website or social media page such as Linkedin to learn about them briefly. If they have the right processing machines and testing equipment, I suppose you could consider it as one of your potential vendors.
As long as they can meet your needs, high matching makes sense rather than they must have more than 10000 staff. Frankly, most CNC machine shops in China have less than 200 staff. But some of them can make mechanical parts with good quality control.
See if the metal parts supplier is professional and willing to let you know more about them.
A professional supplier usually responds promptly and efficiently. That helps you much to turn around quickly to an offer or a problem solution.
For example, you want to know whether the supplier is good at making stainless steel parts. Some suppliers may just reply to you with Yes or No. However, a professional vendor would tell much more than the question: Yes, stainless steel is one of our regular raw materials. In addition to the usual SS303 and SS304, we can also process hard stainless steel SS316 and 17-4PH with black oxidization according to MIL-DTL-13924D. Furthermore, we can guarantee 96 hours of salt spray test if required, etc. Which vendor do you think is more professional and interested in further contact?
See if their prices are reasonable and the quotation information is completed.
In the CNC machining industry, custom mechanical parts need to quote according to drawing/print. As we all know, price is crucial in business. And reasonable price is the basis of cooperation between clients and suppliers.
In the quotation sheet, please check whether the supplier listed all crucial factors. For CNC machining parts, the price depends on raw material, surface finish, and order quantity. And any absence or alteration of them may cause trouble or misunderstanding for subsequent work.
Well, once any factors are not completed. You have to check them one by one. And that would make you tired and a waste of much time. To be worse, some suppliers quoted you a low price with some conditions missed on purpose. Frankly, that would make you in deep trouble. Because when you are attracted by the low prices and push all the relevant issues forward. You may place an order with this supplier. Then they tell you they just quoted you the low price on general conditions. If they have to manufacture the part as what you required, prices should be higher for this and higher for that. That’s really cheating on you. Do you think so?
In general, business is about honesty and cooperation. We should check all the necessary issues to see whether the company you are contacting is a good supplier to you or not. Because a good supplier would save cost and time for you and you will deserve a relax and stable cooperation with each other in future.
In the next article, we will share more suggestions based on SALE and AFTER-SALE for you to check if a metal parts supplier is good or not! Welcome to visit us again.
