This guide aims to share with you how to choose an office furniture supplier effectively.
You will learn:
- How to determine a list of office furniture suppliers worth your approach
- How to inquire more professionally to potentially get better prices
- How to confirm the final office furniture supplier to work with
- FAQs about office furniture suppliers in China
If you’re looking for an office furniture supplier from China, this article is tailored for you.
Table of Contents
1. Be clear about your needs and filter office furniture suppliers initially
There are tens of thousands of office furniture suppliers in China.
According to China’s company data service, until July 17, 2024, there are 33,094 operating office furniture companies across China.
This does not include companies with only “furniture” in their company name. If those are added, there will be many more office furniture suppliers because many office furniture factories don’t actually have the word “office” in their company name.
Filter one office furniture company out of so many companies is obviously not an easy job.
But, there should be effective ways.
And the first step would be to be clear with what you need.
1.1 Have basic understanding of the office furniture industry (which isn’t hard)
We can briefly divide the office furniture industry into 5 categories:
| Category | Description | Examples |
| Desks | Various types of desks designed for different purposes and work environments. | Executive desks, computer desks, standing desks, conference tables. |
| Chairs | A range of chairs designed to support different tasks and user needs in the office. | Ergonomic chairs, executive chairs, task chairs, visitor chairs. |
| Storage | Furniture designed to organize and store office materials and documents. | Filing cabinets, bookshelves, credenzas, storage units. |
| Modular Systems | Flexible and adaptable furniture systems that can be reconfigured to suit changing office layouts. | Cubicles, partitions, modular workstations. |
| Accessories | Additional items that enhance the functionality and organization of office workspaces. | Keyboard trays, monitor arms, cable management systems. |
There are big office furniture companies that produce most or all of the 5 categories of products, but it’s more common that a furniture company produces only 1 category or even a sub-category of the main category.
For example.
The techniques in producing office desks is very different from chairs.
The techniques in producing modern office desks is very different from traditional desks.
The techniques in producing mesh chairs is also different from leather chairs.
The techniques in producing sofa, storage products like cabinet, modular systems and accessories are way different from each other.
That’s the fact in the industry.
And if you know it, the rest steps become clearer and easier for you to move on to.
1.2 According to your needs, initially filter potential office furniture suppliers
Note: this article isn’t a list of all possible ways, but some practical methods based on the our experience and understanding.
There are 3 routes you can follow
(1) Find a big supplier in the industry
a: Check with your family or trustworthy friends.
This is usually the most reliable and effective method.
If you have someone from your family or close friends who’ve worked with certain suppliers, you can get rid of the need of building trust and get the best price possible with their referral.
b: Refer to top office furniture lists.
To make it easy for you, we’ve writen a post on this and you can check it out directly.
c: Google “top office furniture suppliers in China” and you’ll see different pages of similar results. The companies that show up on the lists are more possible to be big furniture suppliers. “
d: use B2B platforms like Alibaba, Made-in-China, Global Sources, browse the furniture category and located companies with more years on the platform.
The pros of working with big players in the field is that some of them can offer complete categories of products and that you don’t need to deal with different vendors, which can save you some time.
However, you can also get higher prices with such suppliers.
(2) Find one company for each category or product
a: Check with your family or trustworthy friends.
Again, this is the best way.
b: use B2B platforms like Alibaba, Made-in-China, Global Sources, search the product you need and check supplier profiles with longer years and those that only supply the product you need.
c: Google “your product + manufacturer / factory / supplier in China”
(3) Find a furniture sourcing agent or one-stop furniture supplier
Working with a furniture sourcing agent or a one-stop supplier has become increasingly popular among small buyers.
These players in the field are usually very knowledgeable in the furniture industry. They have large supplier network and know the pros and cons of differnet suppliers.
So they’re more flexible in meeting customers’ expectations.
a: Consider Sorse Furniture. We pride ourselves on keeping creating value for our customers.
b: Swift Horse Sourcing is a trustworthy furniture sourcing agent in Foshan, China.
c: Google “furniture sourcing agent in China” or “foshan sourcing agent”.
2. Get the best quote
Think about your own industry.
Say you sell cell phones. Two “customers” A and B came to the store.
A said, “How much is a cell phone?”
B said: “How much is HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro 8GB+128GB, is there any stock?”
Faced with the above situation, I think you are most likely to have the same idea as me:
Customer B should be taken seriously, because he is likely to buy a mobile phone and is very clear about his needs.
And customer A is either just asking the price, comparing the price, or he could be a price sensitive customer; Or maybe he wants to buy, but because of his lack of understanding of the product, it’s needed to guide him step by step, and the probability of closing the deal is also very low; or he can be someone who doesn’t even know what he wants.
It’s a similar story in the office furniture industry.
Some clients come up and ask, “How much is your chair?”
When asked about such questions, most suppliers don’t really know how to deal with them.
So it’s very important to know how to ask for prices.
2.1 Know the basic information needed for a quotation
For suppliers to quote accurately, you need to tell them what you need with as many details as you can.
Product name, image, quantity, specifications (materials, colors, sizes etc.), packing requirements are the information that suppliers need.
You may not have all that, and it’s OK.
Just provide them with as much as you can for the sake of getting the best possible quotation in the most efficient way.
DOs
If you’re serious about your business, know that you’re doing business with people and you need to show fundamental respect to your suppliers.
This will also bring you good deals because sellers like doing business with customers who respect them.
Do show respect to your suppliers
Do keep your word. If you say something today and change it tomorrow and keep repeating, no one will take you seriously.
DON’Ts
Don’t be mean to share your request details: the more suppliers have, the more accurate prices you get.
Don’t exaggerate your order quantity: don’t say 1000 pcs when you only order 10 or 100. These tricks sometimes work; but in most cases they will harm your credibility.
Don’t ask for everything: everything means nothing. Suppliers know that, too.
Don’t over promise: promise only what you can. Over promising will eventually harm your credibility.
2.2 A template you can use to request for a quotation
Hello,
This is XXX from XXX company. [brief industroduction of your company]
I’m looking for XXX and details are attached to the email. Could you send me your quotation? Let me know if anything is unclear.
Thank you
XXX
2.3 After receiving quotations
Whether you’re new to the furntiure industry or if you are already an experienced buyer, there are some points to pay attention to.
Don’t be too surprised if the prices you got are higher than your expectations, because you can lose a potentially good supplier.
There are too many factors affecting the cost of an office furniture piece and it’s not possible for all furniture suppliers to have the same cost and qutoation.
If you think the prices you get are too high or doesn’t make sense, don’t hurry to block the supplier yet.
When you receive quatations higher than expected, the best way is to ask a few more furniture companies for quotations.
This way, you’ll get to know if you understood the industry enough or if the previous company was really offering crazy prices.
But maybe higher prices are with higher quality.
Do you want better quality or better price?
This is where you need to make an evaluation.
If you’re biding for a furniture project, maybe good enough quality is OK.
If you’re building your own brand, you may want to make sure you’re getting the quality that meets your target market first, and then consider prices.
Quality furniture come at a price.
Plus different companies have different managing costs, it’s very hard to evaluate the offer just from the matter of price.
So, for such rquests, it’s necessary to consider other factors like the qualification, experience, expertise and whether the people you deal with are professional and active in answering your questions and taking actions to meet your expectations.
Do not be too surprised for unbelieveably low prices, as this may be the beginning of headache.
Everything comes at a cost. Office furniture is no exemption, of course.
If some quotations are obviously much lower, it’s better to be cautious!
Maybe the quotation was based on low quality materials or cut workmanship.
Or maybe there are other unknow reasons.
More often than not, you’ll receive unqualified products.
The result is: you paid for the products, but because they can’t really do the job, you have to buy again from another supplier, at a normal price.
Not worth it!
Consider asking for better prices after confirming product quality (and not the other way around)
If the high quote company is indeed better at other aspects, it’s feasible to discuss the product details and business matters first. And then, after you’re clear with everything, consider talking about prices.
Focusing too much on prices before product specifications are confirmed will more likely affect you to the negative side.
On the one hand, a normally running business might offer high prices, but usually they won’t be crazy. After all, they got competitors around.
On the other hand, to keep enough profit, a furniture supplier has to cut corners by using lower grade materials, thinner materials (without letting you know) etc., which isn’t what the furniture manufacturer wanted to do.
So, if product details are confirmed before bargaining on prices, the furniture factory may consider readucing the profit margin a little bit to potentially win a new customer.
After all, who doesn’t want a sincere customer?
But if you’re very price sensitive, suppliers will want to know what you need as quickly as possible. If you’re target customer, good. If not, they will stop putting more manpower in your case.
3. Finalize the office furniture supplier to work with
Whether you found the supplier through your family or friends, or google searches, it’s best to understand them as much as possible to avoid possible problems afterwards.
In many cases, suppliers will send you a PI (Proforma Invoice) to serve as both an agreement and a request for payment.
However, you can also consider signing a contract. This is especially important for big orders.
Even if both parties decided not to sign a contract, it’s suggested to keep and back up all your conversations by Email, WhatsApp and WeChat etc.
4. FAQs about office furniture
What is an office furniture supplier
An office furniture supplier is a business that provides furniture specifically designed for use in office environments.
What are the recommended office furniture suppliers in China?
One-stop office furniture suppliers:
Sorse Furniture (One-stop office furniture supplier in Foshan China)
Swift Horse Sourcing (Foshan sourcing agent)
Top office furniture manufacturers in China
Which city has the most office furniture factories in China?
Foshan, Guangdong Province is widely recognized as the epicenter of office furniture manufacturing in China.
Should I buy directly from an office furniture factory or a furniture sourcing company?
The decision to buy office furniture directly from a factory or through a sourcing company depends on several factors:
Detailed explanation:
https://sorsefurniture.com/buying-furniture-in-foshan-markets-vs-factories/
Pros and Cons of buying from one stop office furniture suppliers?
Pros:
Expertise: One stop supplier companies have knowledge of the market and factoreis.
Quality control: They usually work with trusted suppliers accumulated along their business development.
Logistics and shipping: They handle the entire process.
Language and cultural bridge: They can communicate with factories effectively.
Competitive pricing: They often negotiate better deals due to volume.
Cons:
Additional costs: You’ll pay a fee for their services.
Pros and Cons of buying from direct office furniture factories?
Pros:
Potential for lower prices: Eliminating the middleman can lead to cost savings.
Customization: You have more control over product design and specifications.
Direct communication: Build a closer relationship with the manufacturer.
Cons:
Higher minimum order quantities (MOQs): Factories often have larger order requirements.
Language and cultural barriers: Communication challenges may arise.
Quality control: Requires more oversight and inspections.
Logistics and shipping: You’ll handle these aspects directly.
Are there any trade shows of office furniture in China?
Yes, There Are Numerous Office Furniture Trade Shows in China!
China is a global hub for furniture manufacturing, and it hosts several large-scale and specialized trade shows dedicated to office furniture.
The Most Notable One:
China International Furniture Fair (CIFF): This is the largest and most influential furniture trade show in the world, with a strong focus on office furniture. It takes place twice a year, in Guangzhou and Shanghai.
What are the top wholesale markets for office furniture?
Louvre, Sunlink, Empire, Tuanyi etc. Check full list below:
https://sorsefurniture.com/foshan-furniture-wholesale-markets-guide/
What are the latest trends of office furniture in 2024
Focus on Well-being and Ergonomics
Adjustable and customizable furniture
Biophilic design
Sustainability and Eco-friendliness
Sustainable materials
Energy-efficient designs
Flexible and adaptable furniture
Mobile furniture
Technology Integration
Smart furniture
Cable management solutions
Aesthetic Trends
Minimalism
Biophilic aesthetics
Personalized spaces
Are there any one-stop suppliers for office furniture in China?
Yes.
Sorse Furniture
Swift Horse Sourcing
How to consolidate office furniture for sea shipping?
By working with a one-stop supplier or a sourcing agent, they usually manage this part free for you.
They will collect products from all suppliers, store in their warehouse and ship in the same container.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment or contact us directly.
