How we work

Here’s exactly how we work — and how to figure out which model makes sense for you.

We work with two types of clients: buyers who want us to handle everything end-to-end, and buyers who want to come to Foshan themselves and see things with their own eyes. We built two models around those two realities. Neither is better — they suit different situations.

“We’re not a marketplace or a platform. We believe in showing our work — just not performing it. We’re a team that knows Foshan’s factories from the inside, and we work with clients who value that over a highlight reel.”

— Leon, Sorse Furniture

The two ways we work

Option 1 — Direct Supply
  • You tell us what you need — category, style, budget, quantity, destination
  • We source from our vetted factory network, verify quality, and supply as the seller of record
  • One invoice, one point of contact — we own the outcome
  • Our margin is built into the price; you don’t pay a separate commission
  • Factory names stay with us — this keeps our supplier relationships stable and your pricing consistent
  • Includes sampling, pre-shipment QC, documentation, and post-shipment follow-up
Option 2 — Guided Foshan Visit
  • You fly to Foshan; we plan your itinerary and guide you through our factory and showroom network in person
  • You see the production floors, touch the materials, negotiate directly — we translate, advise, and filter
  • Day rate charged for our time on the ground, plus a percentage fee on orders placed.
  • Best for buyers sourcing at volume, building a long-term supply chain, or who want to verify quality firsthand
  • Factory introductions are scoped to the visit — our network is not transferable

Not sure which fits? Most clients start with Option 1 — it’s lower commitment and works well for defined projects. Option 2 tends to suit buyers who are sourcing regularly, dealing in high volumes, or who simply want the confidence of seeing things themselves. Drop us a message and we’ll tell you honestly which makes more sense for your situation.

What we source

Our core focus is furniture — living, dining, bedroom, office, hotel and hospitality FF&E. We work across the full Foshan supply chain: upholstered pieces, solid wood, metal frame, outdoor, and custom joinery.

We also handle building materials for clients furnishing complete properties: doors, windows, tiles, flooring, sanitary ware, kitchen cabinets, lighting, and related hardware. This is most useful for villa owners or developers furnishing a project from shell to finished interior — one point of contact for the full spec.

Category Coverage
Living & Lounge Sofas, armchairs, coffee tables, shelving, TV units
Dining Tables, chairs, sideboards, bar furniture
Bedroom Beds, wardrobes, bedside tables, dressing tables
Office & Commercial Desks, task chairs, meeting room, reception
Hotel FF&E Guestroom, lobby, F&B, outdoor — full project supply
Building Materials Tiles, flooring, doors, windows, lighting, sanitary ware, kitchen cabinets
Custom / Bespoke Available on most categories with sufficient volume

How a typical project runs

Every engagement is different, but most projects follow a similar shape. Here’s what working with us actually looks like from first contact to delivery:

1
Brief

You tell us what you need — product categories, quantities, target budget, destination port, and any spec requirements (material, style, dimensions). The more detail the better, but we can work from a rough brief and ask the right questions.

2
Sourcing & Sampling

We identify factories from our network that match your spec and budget. Where needed, we request samples and evaluate them on the ground before presenting options to you. You don’t see a factory that hasn’t already been filtered.

3
Quotation & Confirmation

We present you with a clear quotation — product specs, unit prices, lead time, and shipping estimate. Once you confirm and pay a deposit, production is locked in.

4
Production & QC

We monitor production and conduct a pre-shipment inspection before goods leave the factory. If anything doesn’t match the confirmed sample or spec, we resolve it before loading — not after arrival.

5
Shipping & Documentation

We coordinate freight, prepare all export documentation, and keep you updated through to arrival. We work with freight forwarders who handle the full range of incoterms — FOB, CIF, DDP — depending on what suits your import setup.

What we don’t do

Equally important. Being clear about our limits saves everyone time.

We’re good at
  • Furniture and building materials sourced from Foshan and the wider Pearl River Delta
  • Projects with clear briefs and realistic timelines — 1 to 8 weeks production depending on category
  • Clients who understand they’re sourcing from China and have realistic quality expectations
  • Long-term supply relationships built on repeat orders
Not the right fit if
  • You need certified fire-rated or compliance-tested products for regulated markets and haven’t budgeted for testing
  • You’re expecting factory-direct pricing with full-service agent support — the margin covers the service
  • You want factory contact details handed over after one order
  • You’re in a rush — quality sourcing takes the time it takes

A few things clients usually want to know

Are you actually in Foshan? Yes. We’re based in Foshan full-time. When we say we walk factory floors, we mean it — not occasional video calls with a local contact.

How do you make money on the Direct Supply model? Our margin is built into the price we quote you. We don’t charge a separate sourcing fee or commission on top. You get a clean number; we handle everything within it.

What if something arrives damaged or wrong? It happens — international freight is imperfect. We document everything pre-shipment so there’s a clear record of what was approved and what loaded. If something arrives damaged in transit, we help you pursue the freight claim. If there’s a production error that slipped through QC, we work with the factory to make it right. We don’t disappear after the goods ship.

Start a conversation

Tell us what you’re sourcing, roughly how much, and where it’s going. We’ll come back to you with an honest read on whether we can help and what it would look like.

No forms, no sales pitch. Just a direct conversation with the people who’d actually be doing the work.

Get in Touch