Insights
Practical guides on China sourcing, travel for foreigners, and luxury shopping — written from ten years on the ground.
Price increases are common — and commonly mishandled. The right response depends entirely on why the increase is happening. Here is how I think through each scenario.
Trading companies often present as factories. After 10 years on both sides of China sourcing, here are the practical ways I tell the difference — including the harder cases most buyers don't know to look for.
Sample approval feels straightforward. What happens before it — and the one step most buyers skip after — matters more than most people realise.
A zero-fee sourcing agent sounds like a good deal. After 10 years on both sides of China procurement, here is how I actually think about it — and what to watch for.
Most businesses hiring a China sourcing agent make the same three mistakes. Here is what to look for, what to avoid, and what a good agent actually costs.
Yes, foreigners can use Alipay — and you don't need a Chinese bank account. Which cards work, how to verify your identity, and how to set everything up before you land.
The market exists. Most people navigate it alone — and learn the hard way. Here is what actually separates a good experience from an expensive mistake.