Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about our inspection procedures, dispatch timelines, service fees, and sample testing protocols in China.
🔍 Factory Audits & Quality Inspections
How quickly can DM dispatch an inspector to a Chinese factory? ▼
In core manufacturing hubs across Guangdong (Shenzhen, Dongguan, Foshan) and Zhejiang (Ningbo, Yiwu, Hangzhou), we can dispatch an inspector on-site within 24 to 48 hours of booking confirmation. For remote inland provinces, dispatch usually takes 48 to 72 hours depending on high-speed rail connections.
What happens if the inspection report shows a FAIL? ▼
When an inspection fails due to critical defects, cosmetic flaws exceeding AQL thresholds, or missing units, our report immediately states "FAIL - DO NOT RELEASE BALANCE". We document every defective sample with macro photos and precise notes, giving you watertight leverage to demand factory rework, replacement, or discount negotiations before container loading.
Can I join the factory visit live on video call? ▼
Yes, absolutely! We coordinate scheduled time windows (taking your local time zone into account) where DM connects with you over Google Meet, Zoom, or WhatsApp video directly from the factory workshop, showing you live machines, finished goods pallets, and caliper measurements.
🏭 1688 & OEM Sourcing
How do you tell genuine root manufacturers from trading companies on 1688? ▼
We check the Chinese government corporate registry (Tianyancha / Qichacha) for registered capital, business scope ("Manufacturing" vs "Wholesale & Retail"), active environmental & tax filings, factory floor leased square meters, and machinery asset filings. A true manufacturer has active workshops and pollution discharge permits; a trading company is registered in an office building.
Why not just use Alibaba Gold Suppliers directly? ▼
An Alibaba "Gold Supplier" badge simply means the seller paid Alibaba an annual advertising membership fee of ~30,000–100,000 RMB. Over 60% of Gold Suppliers are trading middlemen who outsource manufacturing to unverified third-tier workshops while marking up prices 15% to 35%.
💰 Pricing, Billing & Kickback Neutrality
How are your services billed? ▼
We charge transparent, all-inclusive flat rates:
• On-Site Inspection / Factory Audit: Flat daily rate (covers inspector time, caliper testing, 4K video, travel within hub areas, and comprehensive 24h PDF report).
• Sample Review & Consolidation: Flat fee per project (including SF Express domestic consolidation, digital measurements, photo logging, and live video review).
• Supplier Sourcing & 1688 Benchmarking: Flat research retainer per category.
Do you guarantee that you take zero kickbacks from suppliers? ▼
Yes, 100%. This is the core bedrock of ChinaSourceDM. We sign a formal non-circumvention, anti-kickback representation agreement. You pay the factory directly for goods and pay us directly for professional services. We never solicit or accept factory rebates, gifts, or kickbacks.
Have a Unique Specification or Sourcing Query?
DM answers all inquiries directly. Send us your inquiry or WhatsApp contact for a direct conversation.