I agree with "home grown" comment but unfortunatly we need to understand that things are cheaper in East and by looking at your prices they might be a lot cheaper .....

Clothing manufacturers will be able to tell you all about it. They use overseas manufacturers for several reasons: cheaper, better quality, huge quantities delivered pronto, no issues, you order you get. Let's face it, we need to up our customer service in SA on all levels.

I agree with you, but what your implying is that we should do all our buying in asia and neglect the unemployed and struggeling industries , I know the reality , PRICE , but lets thinkabout the reality in 5 -10 years when china up's her prices , hmm then what do we do , short term thinking don't you think?

I know it is tough competing against chinese imports, but you stand no chance if you offer the same product. You have to innovate and have an USP to differentiate. If you do this chinese products dont even come into the equation. The same rule applies between two retailers in the same mall. Plus to get the quantities from corporates you MUST be able to prove capaicy and after sales service. After all it is their reputaion on the line with their customers not yours. INNOVATE DONT IMMITATE!

My question to you , do employ anyone , are you a manufacturer, if so whats your secret , or is it like the norm , CHINA , perhaps that is the way and I guess the relity is I will look there myself , but it will be at the expence of a few jobs at the factory that's for sure , ever told someone they no longer have work , and that their family needs to find another bread winner ? or does greed overpower that ?

Of course I want SA to grow, that's why I am still living and working here. All I am saying is it's about making money at the end of the day and business people most of the time are all about money. Now if we just start upping our customer service, which does not cost that much, maybe the big boys will be tempted. I am prepared to pay more if the service is outstanding.

I could not agree more with you , look I need to make money just like the next person, but there are ways of doing it and I totally agree , customer service is a top, building good relationships is what its really about. Some people have no problem not returning phone calls, personally I believe service and going the extra mile is a priority, if everyone shared that view our economy would flourish, but greed and laziness seems to dominate, such is business and life. Pity though.

I was introduced to dealing internationally 6 months ago. Sadly, when I now have to deal with local suppliers (and I AM generalising here), I become very irritated, very quicly. When I ask ANY local company for a sample it takes 10 days (with me reminding them once or twice). I pick up the phone to any of my regular suppliers (in China) at 15h00 our time (that's about 21h30 China time). When I arrive at the office the next morning there are jpg's of 3 or 4 samples to choose from in my mailbox. Once I've selected one (simply via email), I have what I'm looking for in 5 days, with a proforma attached. So in the time that it takes a local okey to get back to me only to tell me "they'll do the product if I pay for the sample", i've had an array of samples and a couple of my choice produced and couriered to me.

Helloooo anyone locally taking note here?