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Buying and Shipping Agents in Bali
Whether you intend selling your product in a market stall or displaying exclusive design ware in a select area of your city, good buying strategy is one of the principal components. Your buying strategy is not only about the product ranges you choose but more importantly knowing the full potentIal of products available in Indonesia. Therefore we recommend that you try to find where all the principal locations are situated!
Stage 1.
Finding Hidden Treasures
(1) Locate your suppliers
There are several principal locations for furniture, stone, jewelry and handicrafts. Please refer to our sourcing section on this website.
(2) We recommend not starting the actual ordering of any product until you have taken a "snap shot" of all the areas.
(3) Spend several days investigating in as many locations as possible. Arm yourself with a notepad and later a camera* Please note that snap shots should only be taken with the consent of the supplier. Take down as much information as possible about prices and sizes where perhaps at a later time, you can make comparisons before making any final decisions.
Tourist prices in the Kuta area
(4) Two prices are usually available at suppliers
The tourist price and the business price.
Always ask for the "business price"
(N.B suppliers do not use the term wholesale price)
(5) Avoid ordering anything until you have a clearer picture of range and prices available, as you may regret later finding another supplier further along the way with better products, finish and price.
A note on Tourist shops in the Kuta area
Local tourist shops have a wealth of products to offer, and some are actually manufacturers. Our suggestion if you are interested in purchasing at the” business price”, ask if they have a factory. Always try to find the manufacturer.
(6) Always check with supplier the manufacturing lead time Supply time can vary from between several days to several weeks
Stage 2.
Setting Your Budget
After you have completed your investigations a budget will need to be established. The next step therefore is to arrive at a “landed cost” value This will include your traveling expenses, the product cost plus the full shipping cost. You will need to approach a cargo or shipping and packing company in order to obtain a shipping quotation to your country
The next question is how much money would be required to send your goods.
Assuming you have chosen a 20 foot container
In our experience the cost can be anything from $4500 to $ 9000. Why such a difference? Furniture for example carries a high cost , each item may take up high volume per cubic meter as compared to small handicrafts which have a low cost but takes up far less volume per cubic meter. The smart buyer therefore when ordering furniture will try to fill the container by ensuring a mix of both small and large items For example: A Dining room table would require matching table mats, fruit bowls candle sticks etc
Stage 3.
Making Your Order
Make sure the suppliers understands what you are ordering. Language differences often result in a supplier missing an important detail . Tip* A good interpreter may prove to be invaluable and will iincrease your buying confidence.
A deposit payment to the suppliers will be required.
Have the necessary foreign currency exchanged before placing orders
When placing an order you should always receive a written invoice. Make sure that the Suppliers puts a completion date on the invoice.
It is also very important to know about any public holidays or Balinese holidays during the time your order is being processed. For instance the holidays of Galungan and Kuningan ( every seven months) can cause the manufacturers delays of up to one week. Tip* Ask the supplier to put the measurements on the invoice. This will enable you to determine the volume of goods ordered. The supplier will need to know the shipping company responsible for collecting your order for packing preparation.
We suggest you photograph your order. *Please note that it is considered very impolite to take photos without first placing an order
Stage 4.
Collecting Your Order
The fourth step: Collecting your order
In order to ensure a good quality standard you will need to check your goods before paying the suppliers.
In our opinion this is one of the most important parts of the buying process. The standard of quality can vary enormously from supplier to supplier.
It is a good idea to have some knowledge of the materials involved especially with wood products. There are many different kinds of wood, each variety is best suited to a particular type of product. Knowing the various properties of wood products is an advantage. For instance some wood products can tolerate a higher moisture levels than others. The minimum moisture content allowed is particularly important to avoid mold and cracking.
Stage 5.
Shipping Your Order
All goods will need to be quality checked and paid for before the shippers can do their job. Tip* Some shippers will pay & collect the goods on your behalf but be warned they will not be held responsible for the quality. The Shipping company will need a copy of the suppliers invoice in order to collect the goods.