{"id":809,"date":"2026-10-02T03:15:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-02T03:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sourcefoshan.com\/?p=809"},"modified":"2026-10-31T03:08:07","modified_gmt":"2026-10-31T03:08:07","slug":"questions-to-ask-a-furniture-sourcing-agent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sourcefoshan.com\/ru\/blog\/questions-to-ask-a-furniture-sourcing-agent\/","title":{"rendered":"15 questions to ask a furniture sourcing agent in China before you sign"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.sf-imported-article{--red:#C8102E;--ink:#1F2328;--muted:#5F6368;--line:#E4E4E4;--blush:#FBF1F2;--paper:#FAF8F5}.sf-imported-article,.sf-imported-article *{box-sizing:border-box}.sf-imported-article{-webkit-text-size-adjust:100%}.sf-imported-article{margin:0;background:#fff;color:var(--ink);font:17px\/1.7 \"Hanken Grotesk\",system-ui,sans-serif}.sf-imported-article a{color:var(--red)}.sf-imported-article 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.short>b{display:block;font-size:13px;letter-spacing:.12em;text-transform:uppercase;margin-bottom:6px}.sf-imported-article .short ul{margin:0;padding-left:20px}.sf-imported-article .short li{margin:4px 0}.sf-imported-article .answer{font-size:19px;line-height:1.6}.sf-imported-article .src{font-size:14px;color:var(--muted);border-top:1px solid var(--line);border-bottom:1px solid var(--line);padding:12px 0;margin:22px 0}.sf-imported-article .nums{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(4,1fr);gap:1px;background:var(--line);border:1px solid var(--line);border-radius:12px;overflow:hidden;margin:26px 0}.sf-imported-article .nums div{background:#fff;padding:14px 14px 16px}.sf-imported-article .nums b{display:block;font:800 24px\/1.1 \"Plus Jakarta Sans\",sans-serif;color:var(--red)}.sf-imported-article .nums span{font-size:13px;color:var(--muted);line-height:1.4;display:block;margin-top:4px}.sf-imported-article figure{margin:26px 0}.sf-imported-article .pair{display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:12px;margin:26px 0}.sf-imported-article .pair figure{margin:0}.sf-imported-article figure img{border-radius:12px;width:100%;aspect-ratio:3\/4;object-fit:cover;background:#eee}.sf-imported-article figure.wide img{aspect-ratio:4\/3}.sf-imported-article figcaption{font-size:13.5px;color:var(--muted);margin-top:8px;line-height:1.5}.sf-imported-article table{width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:15px;margin:22px 0;display:block;overflow-x:auto}.sf-imported-article th,.sf-imported-article td{border-bottom:1px solid var(--line);padding:10px 10px;text-align:left;vertical-align:top}.sf-imported-article th{font-size:12.5px;letter-spacing:.08em;text-transform:uppercase;color:var(--muted);background:var(--paper)}.sf-imported-article .view{background:var(--ink);color:#fff;border-radius:14px;padding:22px 24px;margin:28px 0}.sf-imported-article .view b{color:#F28A9B;font-size:12.5px;letter-spacing:.14em;text-transform:uppercase;display:block;margin-bottom:6px}.sf-imported-article .view p{margin:0}.sf-imported-article .sf{background:var(--blush);border:1px solid #F2DCDD;border-radius:14px;padding:22px 24px;margin:28px 0}.sf-imported-article .faq details{border-bottom:1px solid var(--line);padding:14px 0}.sf-imported-article .faq summary{font-weight:700;cursor:pointer}.sf-imported-article .faq p{margin:8px 0 0}.sf-imported-article .keep ul{padding-left:20px}.sf-imported-article .cta{margin-top:44px;background:var(--ink);color:#fff;border-radius:16px;padding:28px}.sf-imported-article .cta h2{margin:0 0 8px;color:#fff}.sf-imported-article .cta p{color:#C9CED3;margin:0 0 18px}.sf-imported-article .cta a{display:inline-block;background:var(--red);color:#fff;text-decoration:none;font-weight:700;padding:13px 22px;border-radius:6px;margin:0 8px 8px 0}.sf-imported-article .cta a.ghost{background:transparent;border:1px solid #41454B}.sf-imported-article .sources{font-size:14px;color:var(--muted)}.sf-imported-article .sources li{margin:6px 0}@media (max-width:600px){.sf-imported-article{font-size:16px}.sf-imported-article .nums{grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr}.sf-imported-article .pair{grid-template-columns:1fr}.sf-imported-article .answer{font-size:17.5px}}.sf-imported-article .arc{border:1px solid var(--line);border-radius:14px;padding:20px 22px;margin:18px 0 28px;background:#fff}.sf-imported-article .arc>b{display:block;font:800 17px \"Plus Jakarta Sans\",sans-serif;margin-bottom:6px}.sf-imported-article .arc p{margin:0 0 8px}.sf-imported-article .arc-links{font-size:14.5px;font-weight:600}.sf-imported-article .cmts{padding-left:20px}.sf-imported-article .cmts li{margin:10px 0}.sf-imported-article .en-note{display:block;margin-top:6px;padding:8px 10px;background:var(--paper);border-left:3px solid var(--red);border-radius:0 6px 6px 0;font-size:13px;color:var(--ink)}.sf-imported-article .table-src{font-size:13.5px;color:var(--muted);margin-top:-10px}.sf-imported-article .en-note{display:block;margin-top:6px;padding:8px 10px;background:var(--paper);border-left:3px solid var(--red);border-radius:0 6px 6px 0;font-size:13px;color:var(--ink)}.sf-imported-article .crumb{font-size:13px;color:var(--muted);margin-left:12px}<\/style>\n<div class=\"sf-imported-article\">\n<div class=\"short\"><b>\u041a\u0440\u0430\u0442\u043a\u043e<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Under two Foshan buyer teams&#8217; posts, <b>more than ten readers<\/b> asked about price or contact details; replies, where given, went by private message.<\/li>\n<li>One Foshan buyer team publishes two domestic tiers \u2014 <b>RMB 1,000<\/b> for sourcing to an existing design and <b>RMB 5,000<\/b> with a designer and airport pick-up.<\/li>\n<li>Another team says it matches each client with <b>3\u20135 factories<\/b> and quotes production times of <b>1\u20133 months<\/b>.<\/li>\n<li>One team describes a two-step check \u2014 the factory&#8217;s own QC, then its own re-check of <b>material, size and colour<\/b>, confirmed by photo and video.<\/li>\n<li>Source Foshan puts its <b>3\u20135%<\/b> fee in writing before contacting any factory and releases the balance only after you approve the inspection report.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"answer\"><strong>Before you sign with a furniture sourcing agent in China, ask how they are paid and whether they take anything from suppliers, whose account receives your deposit, whether you will see each factory&#8217;s own quotation, what is inspected and when, and who handles damage or mismatches after delivery. Good agents answer in writing and back each answer with a document; vague or private-message-only answers are the warning sign.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"nums\">\n<div><b>15<\/b><span>questions that separate a buyer&#8217;s agent from a seller&#8217;s<\/span><\/div>\n<div><b>3\u20135<\/b><span>factories one Foshan buyer team matches to each client<\/span><\/div>\n<div><b>1\u20133 months<\/b><span>production time the same team quotes<\/span><\/div>\n<div><b>10+<\/b><span>readers who asked two buyer teams about price or contact details<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"why-ask-a-furniture-sourcing-agent-questions-before-signing\">Why ask a furniture sourcing agent questions before signing?<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Because the answers that matter \u2014 fees, commissions and who pays for mistakes \u2014 are rarely published.<\/strong> Foshan&#8217;s buyer teams describe their process in detail on Xiaohongshu: needs assessment, factory matching, accompanied visits, renderings, quality checks, delivery. Under two such posts, more than ten readers asked about price or how to get in touch; replies went by private message. A reader in Philadelphia asked whether furniture could be delivered to their home; the answer was a cheerful yes, with no word on customs, duties or who handles damage.<\/p>\n<p>None of that means the services are poor. It means an overseas buyer has to ask. The fifteen questions below are grouped by where money is usually lost. For background on how agents work, start with our <a href=\"\/ru\/%d0%b1%d0%bb%d0%be%d0%b3\/furniture-sourcing-agent-china-guide\/\">\u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u0435 \u0440\u0443\u043a\u043e\u0432\u043e\u0434\u0441\u0442\u0432\u043e \u043f\u043e \u0430\u0433\u0435\u043d\u0442\u0430\u043c \u043f\u043e \u0437\u0430\u043a\u0443\u043f\u043a\u0435 \u043c\u0435\u0431\u0435\u043b\u0438 \u0432 \u041a\u0438\u0442\u0430\u0435<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what-should-you-ask-a-furniture-buying-agent-about-fees-and-payments\">What should you ask a furniture buying agent about fees and payments?<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Ask for the fee, what it covers and whose account your money goes to \u2014 in writing, before any factory is contacted.<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><b>How are you paid \u2014 percentage, fixed fee or retainer?<\/b> One Foshan team publishes two tiers for domestic clients: RMB 1,000 for sourcing to an existing design, and RMB 5,000 with a soft-furnishing designer and airport pick-up. Percentages are more common for export orders.<\/li>\n<li><b>Will you confirm in writing that you take no commission, rebate or gift from suppliers?<\/b> Buyers report that some agents and guides are paid by the shops; our explainer on <a href=\"\/ru\/%d0%b1%d0%bb%d0%be%d0%b3\/furniture-guide-kickbacks-foshan\/\">\u0413\u0438\u0434\u044b \u043f\u043e \u043c\u0435\u0431\u0435\u043b\u0438 \u0424\u043e\u0448\u0430\u043d\u044f \u0438 \u0441\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044b\u0435 \u043a\u043e\u043c\u0438\u0441\u0441\u0438\u0438<\/a> explains how to check.<\/li>\n<li><b>\u041d\u0430 \u0441\u0447\u0451\u0442 \u043a\u0430\u043a\u043e\u0439 \u043a\u043e\u043c\u043f\u0430\u043d\u0438\u0438 \u043f\u043e\u0441\u0442\u0443\u043f\u0438\u0442 \u043c\u043e\u0439 \u0434\u0435\u043f\u043e\u0437\u0438\u0442?<\/b> The supplier&#8217;s is safest.<\/li>\n<li><b>When is the balance paid?<\/b> The right answer is: after you approve the inspection report.<\/li>\n<li><b>What is not included?<\/b> Travel, samples, third-party testing, warehouse storage and freight are often extras.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<figure><img src=\"https:\/\/sourcefoshan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/questions-to-ask-a-furniture-sourcing-agent-02.webp\" alt=\"A Foshan buyer team&#039;s ten-step service as posted from a buyer post: two fee tiers (RMB 1,000 and RMB 5,000), the service fee credited against the.\" class=\"wp-image-1171\" width=\"900\" height=\"1200\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sourcefoshan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/questions-to-ask-a-furniture-sourcing-agent-02.webp 900w, https:\/\/sourcefoshan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/questions-to-ask-a-furniture-sourcing-agent-02-225x300.webp 225w, https:\/\/sourcefoshan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/questions-to-ask-a-furniture-sourcing-agent-02-768x1024.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" loading=\"lazy\"><figcaption>A Foshan buyer team&#x27;s ten-step service as posted from a buyer post: two fee tiers (RMB 1,000 and RMB 5,000), the service fee credited against the order, and payment made directly to the factories. These are exactly the fee and payment terms to get in writing from any agent.<span class=\"en-note\">\u0422\u0435\u043a\u0441\u0442 \u043d\u0430 \u044d\u0442\u043e\u043c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0438 \u043f\u0435\u0440\u0435\u0432\u0435\u0434\u0451\u043d \u0441 \u043a\u0438\u0442\u0430\u0439\u0441\u043a\u043e\u0433\u043e.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"view\"><b>\u041d\u0430\u0448\u0435 \u043c\u043d\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435<\/b><\/p>\n<p>The best furniture sourcing agent in China is not the one with the longest supplier list \u2014 one Foshan team makes a point of working with only 30 factories \u2014 but the one whose answers you can check. <b>If an answer cannot be verified on paper, it is a promise, not a process.<\/b> For an overseas buyer who will not be in the workshop, every one of the fifteen questions should end with a document you can hold.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"what-should-you-ask-about-suppliers-and-quotes\">What should you ask about suppliers and quotes?<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Ask whether you will see real suppliers and their own quotations against one specification.<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol start=\"6\">\n<li><b>Are your suppliers makers or resellers \u2014 and will you tell me which is which?<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>How many quotes will I see per item?<\/b> One team says it matches 3\u20135 factories to each client; two or three comparable quotes per line is a practical minimum.<\/li>\n<li><b>Will each quote be the factory&#8217;s own document, against the same written specification?<\/b> A re-typed summary hides margins.<\/li>\n<li><b>Can I contact the supplier directly if I need to?<\/b> The supplier should be named on the contract.<\/li>\n<li><b>How would this compare with buying the same item on Alibaba?<\/b> A good agent will tell you when you do not need them \u2014 see <a href=\"\/ru\/%d0%b1%d0%bb%d0%be%d0%b3\/alibaba-vs-sourcing-agent-furniture\/\">\u00abAlibaba \u0438\u043b\u0438 \u0441\u043e\u0440\u0441\u0438\u043d\u0433-\u0430\u0433\u0435\u043d\u0442 \u0434\u043b\u044f \u043c\u0435\u0431\u0435\u043b\u0438\u00bb<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div class=\"pair\">\n<figure><img src=\"https:\/\/sourcefoshan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/questions-to-ask-a-furniture-sourcing-agent-03.webp\" alt=\"The same team&#039;s &#039;five true principles&#039;: itemised quotes with no hidden add-ons, materials bought at source, goods that match the showroom. Promises.\" class=\"wp-image-1172\" width=\"900\" height=\"1200\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sourcefoshan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/questions-to-ask-a-furniture-sourcing-agent-03.webp 900w, https:\/\/sourcefoshan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/questions-to-ask-a-furniture-sourcing-agent-03-225x300.webp 225w, https:\/\/sourcefoshan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/questions-to-ask-a-furniture-sourcing-agent-03-768x1024.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" loading=\"lazy\"><figcaption>The same team&#x27;s &#x27;five true principles&#x27;: itemised quotes with no hidden add-ons, materials bought at source, goods that match the showroom. Promises like these only count if the agent will put them into the contract.<span class=\"en-note\">\u0422\u0435\u043a\u0441\u0442 \u043d\u0430 \u044d\u0442\u043e\u043c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0438 \u043f\u0435\u0440\u0435\u0432\u0435\u0434\u0451\u043d \u0441 \u043a\u0438\u0442\u0430\u0439\u0441\u043a\u043e\u0433\u043e.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure><img src=\"https:\/\/sourcefoshan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/questions-to-ask-a-furniture-sourcing-agent-04.webp\" alt=\"Another Foshan buyer team&#039;s credentials post: a business licence, a fixed showroom, 300+ staff and 100+ source factories. Ask to see the licence and.\" class=\"wp-image-1173\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1440\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sourcefoshan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/questions-to-ask-a-furniture-sourcing-agent-04.webp 1080w, https:\/\/sourcefoshan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/questions-to-ask-a-furniture-sourcing-agent-04-225x300.webp 225w, https:\/\/sourcefoshan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/questions-to-ask-a-furniture-sourcing-agent-04-768x1024.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" loading=\"lazy\"><figcaption>Another Foshan buyer team&#x27;s credentials post: a business licence, a fixed showroom, 300+ staff and 100+ source factories. Ask to see the licence and visit the office yourself rather than relying on a post like this.<span class=\"en-note\">\u0422\u0435\u043a\u0441\u0442 \u043d\u0430 \u044d\u0442\u043e\u043c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0438 \u043f\u0435\u0440\u0435\u0432\u0435\u0434\u0451\u043d \u0441 \u043a\u0438\u0442\u0430\u0439\u0441\u043a\u043e\u0433\u043e.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"what-the-comments-add\" class=\"translation-block\">\u0427\u0442\u043e \u0434\u043e\u0431\u0430\u0432\u043b\u044f\u044e\u0442 \u043a\u043e\u043c\u043c\u0435\u043d\u0442\u0430\u0440\u0438\u0438?<\/h2>\n<p><strong>The comment threads are short, but they show what buyers actually ask \u2014 and what they are not told in public.<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"cmts\">\n<li><b>Price on request only.<\/b> On one post, six of the ten visible comments ask about the fee or how to get in touch; the replies say details were sent privately.<\/li>\n<li><b>Overseas buyers are reading.<\/b> A reader in Philadelphia asked whether chosen furniture could be delivered straight to their home; the answer was yes, with no detail on customs or duties.<\/li>\n<li><b>Where is it made?<\/b> One reader asked which factory produced a sofa shown in the post; the maker&#8217;s name was offered only by private message.<\/li>\n<li><b>Design first.<\/b> Several readers simply asked the team to design their room \u2014 a reminder that buyer teams often sell styling as much as sourcing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"what-should-you-ask-about-quality-control-and-inspection\">What should you ask about quality control and inspection?<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Ask what is checked, at which stage, against which reference \u2014 and what happens if it fails.<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol start=\"11\">\n<li><b>At which production stages do you check?<\/b> One Foshan team says its inspectors attend at the inner-materials, bare-frame and upholstery stages; another describes a first check by the factory&#8217;s QC and a second by its own staff covering material, size and colour.<\/li>\n<li><b>Is the specification signed with material samples attached?<\/b> The first team writes material swatches into the contract and inspects against them, to rule out A\/B versions \u2014 a showroom-grade piece for approval and a lesser one in production.<\/li>\n<li><b>What happens if the inspection fails?<\/b> You want a written answer: rework, replacement or refund, and who pays for re-inspection.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>\u041d\u0430\u0448 <a href=\"\/ru\/%d1%87%d0%b5%d0%ba-%d0%bb%d0%b8%d1%81%d1%82-%d0%bf%d1%80%d0%be%d0%b2%d0%b5%d1%80%d0%ba%d0%b8-%d0%bc%d0%b5%d0%b1%d0%b5%d0%bb%d0%b8\/\">\u041a\u043e\u043d\u0442\u0440\u043e\u043b\u044c\u043d\u044b\u0439 \u0441\u043f\u0438\u0441\u043e\u043a \u0434\u043b\u044f \u043f\u0440\u043e\u0432\u0435\u0440\u043a\u0438 \u043c\u0435\u0431\u0435\u043b\u0438<\/a> lists what a report should cover.<\/p>\n<div class=\"pair\">\n<figure><img src=\"https:\/\/sourcefoshan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/questions-to-ask-a-furniture-sourcing-agent-05.webp\" alt=\"A buyer team explains how it controls production: one person following each order, 30 selected factories, and staff checking inner materials, fabric.\" class=\"wp-image-1174\" width=\"900\" height=\"1200\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sourcefoshan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/questions-to-ask-a-furniture-sourcing-agent-05.webp 900w, https:\/\/sourcefoshan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/questions-to-ask-a-furniture-sourcing-agent-05-225x300.webp 225w, https:\/\/sourcefoshan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/questions-to-ask-a-furniture-sourcing-agent-05-768x1024.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" loading=\"lazy\"><figcaption>A buyer team explains how it controls production: one person following each order, 30 selected factories, and staff checking inner materials, fabric, frames and shape at the factory. Ask an agent who does these checks and when.<span class=\"en-note\">\u0422\u0435\u043a\u0441\u0442 \u043d\u0430 \u044d\u0442\u043e\u043c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0438 \u043f\u0435\u0440\u0435\u0432\u0435\u0434\u0451\u043d \u0441 \u043a\u0438\u0442\u0430\u0439\u0441\u043a\u043e\u0433\u043e.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure><img src=\"https:\/\/sourcefoshan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/questions-to-ask-a-furniture-sourcing-agent-06.webp\" alt=\"Two-stage QC as one Foshan buyer team runs it: the factory inspects first, then the agent&#039;s own inspector re-checks, sending photos and videos to the.\" class=\"wp-image-1175\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1440\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sourcefoshan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/questions-to-ask-a-furniture-sourcing-agent-06.webp 1080w, https:\/\/sourcefoshan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/questions-to-ask-a-furniture-sourcing-agent-06-225x300.webp 225w, https:\/\/sourcefoshan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/questions-to-ask-a-furniture-sourcing-agent-06-768x1024.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" loading=\"lazy\"><figcaption>Two-stage QC as one Foshan buyer team runs it: the factory inspects first, then the agent&#x27;s own inspector re-checks, sending photos and videos to the client before shipping. Inspector contact details have been removed from the screenshots.<span class=\"en-note\">\u0422\u0435\u043a\u0441\u0442 \u043d\u0430 \u044d\u0442\u043e\u043c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0438 \u043f\u0435\u0440\u0435\u0432\u0435\u0434\u0451\u043d \u0441 \u043a\u0438\u0442\u0430\u0439\u0441\u043a\u043e\u0433\u043e.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"what-should-you-ask-about-shipping-and-after-sales\">What should you ask about shipping and after-sales?<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Ask who is responsible from the factory gate to your room, and who pays if something arrives broken or wrong.<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol start=\"14\">\n<li><b>Who packs, consolidates and ships \u2014 and to which point?<\/b> One team says every piece is packed individually, with wooden crates for expensive or fragile items. Ask whether the price is to the port, to your door or installed.<\/li>\n<li><b>Who handles a claim for damage or a mismatch?<\/b> The same team says its buyer agreement promises to resolve mismatches, transit damage and after-sales problems. Ask to read that clause before you sign.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>\u0425\u043e\u0440\u043e\u0448\u0438\u0439 \u043f\u0440\u0438\u0437\u043d\u0430\u043a<\/th>\n<th>Warning sign<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Fee and exclusions in a written agreement<\/td>\n<td>Fee to be discussed after you have chosen<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Factory&#8217;s own quotation, supplier named<\/td>\n<td>Quotes on the agent&#8217;s letterhead only<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Deposit to supplier&#8217;s company account<\/td>\n<td>Full payment to a personal account<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Balance after you approve the report<\/td>\n<td>Balance due before inspection<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>Our own answers are set out in our <a href=\"\/ru\/%d0%be%d0%b1%d1%8f%d0%b7%d0%b0%d1%82%d0%b5%d0%bb%d1%8c%d1%81%d1%82%d0%b2%d0%b0%d1%85-%d0%bf%d0%be-%d0%be%d0%b1%d1%81%d0%bb%d1%83%d0%b6%d0%b8%d0%b2%d0%b0%d0%bd%d0%b8%d1%8e\/\">\u043e\u0431\u044f\u0437\u0430\u0442\u0435\u043b\u044c\u0441\u0442\u0432\u0430\u0445 \u043f\u043e \u043e\u0431\u0441\u043b\u0443\u0436\u0438\u0432\u0430\u043d\u0438\u044e<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure><img src=\"https:\/\/sourcefoshan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/questions-to-ask-a-furniture-sourcing-agent-07.webp\" alt=\"The problems one Foshan buying team says clients fear most: deliveries that don&#039;t match the renderings, substituted materials, opaque quotes.\" class=\"wp-image-1176\" width=\"900\" height=\"1200\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sourcefoshan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/questions-to-ask-a-furniture-sourcing-agent-07.webp 900w, https:\/\/sourcefoshan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/questions-to-ask-a-furniture-sourcing-agent-07-225x300.webp 225w, https:\/\/sourcefoshan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/questions-to-ask-a-furniture-sourcing-agent-07-768x1024.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" loading=\"lazy\"><figcaption>The problems one Foshan buying team says clients fear most: deliveries that don&#x27;t match the renderings, substituted materials, opaque quotes, after-sales buck-passing and open-ended delays. Each one is a question to put to an agent before you sign.<span class=\"en-note\">\u0422\u0435\u043a\u0441\u0442 \u043d\u0430 \u044d\u0442\u043e\u043c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0438 \u043f\u0435\u0440\u0435\u0432\u0435\u0434\u0451\u043d \u0441 \u043a\u0438\u0442\u0430\u0439\u0441\u043a\u043e\u0433\u043e.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"how-source-foshan-handles-it\" class=\"translation-block\">\u041a\u0430\u043a \u0441 \u044d\u0442\u0438\u043c \u0440\u0430\u0431\u043e\u0442\u0430\u0435\u0442 Source Foshan<\/h2>\n<div class=\"sf\">\n<p>We answer all fifteen before you commit. Our fee is 3\u20135% of order value, agreed in writing before any factory is contacted and shown separately from factory prices; we take no commissions or rebates from suppliers. You see two or three quotes per line against one specification, deposits go to the supplier&#8217;s company account, and we send photos and video at every stage \u2014 options, signed-off spec, weekly production, QC report and loading. The balance is released only after you approve the inspection report. Goods are consolidated in our Foshan warehouse, re-packed to export standard and labelled by room.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"arc\"><b>\u041f\u0440\u0435\u0434\u043f\u043e\u0447\u0438\u0442\u0430\u0435\u0442\u0435 \u0432\u044b\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437 \u0433\u043e\u0442\u043e\u0432\u043e\u0433\u043e \u043a\u0430\u0442\u0430\u043b\u043e\u0433\u0430?<\/b><\/p>\n<p>If you would rather skip the vetting and choose from a finished range, we recommend Arcaya Living. Its catalogue is sourced to confirmed specifications, and a three-minute style quiz narrows more than 10,000 pieces to your taste.<\/p>\n<p class=\"arc-links\"><a href=\"https:\/\/arcayaliving.com\/pages\/style-quiz\">\u041f\u0440\u043e\u0439\u0442\u0438 3-\u043c\u0438\u043d\u0443\u0442\u043d\u044b\u0439 \u0442\u0435\u0441\u0442 \u043d\u0430 \u0441\u0442\u0438\u043b\u044c<\/a> \u00b7 <a href=\"https:\/\/arcayaliving.com\/\">\u0421\u043c\u043e\u0442\u0440\u0435\u0442\u044c \u043a\u043e\u043b\u043b\u0435\u043a\u0446\u0438\u0438 Arcaya<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"faq\" id=\"faq\">\n<h2 class=\"translation-block\">\u0427\u0430\u0441\u0442\u043e \u0437\u0430\u0434\u0430\u0432\u0430\u0435\u043c\u044b\u0435 \u0432\u043e\u043f\u0440\u043e\u0441\u044b<\/h2>\n<details>\n<summary>What is the most important question to ask a furniture sourcing agent?<\/summary>\n<p>Ask how they are paid and whether they receive anything from suppliers. The answer tells you whose side they are on; get it in writing before any factory is contacted.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>How do I find the best furniture sourcing agent in China?<\/summary>\n<p>Compare agents on process rather than claims: a written fee, suppliers named on contracts, deposits to supplier accounts, inspection before the balance and a clear claims clause. Ask for a recent project you can check.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>Should a furniture buying agent in China show me the factory&#x27;s quote?<\/summary>\n<p>Yes. Each factory&#8217;s own quotation against the same specification lets you see the real price and compare like with like; a re-typed summary can hide a margin.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>Who is responsible if furniture from China arrives damaged?<\/summary>\n<p>It depends on your agreement and the shipping terms. Ask the agent before signing who handles claims, how damage is documented and who pays for repair or replacement.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>Can a sourcing agent buy furniture for me without a visit to China?<\/summary>\n<p>Yes, if they send options, written specifications, production photos and an inspection report for approval.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"keep\" id=\"keep-reading\">\n<h2 class=\"translation-block\">\u0427\u0438\u0442\u0430\u0439\u0442\u0435 \u0442\u0430\u043a\u0436\u0435<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/sourcefoshan.com\/ru\/%d0%b1%d0%bb%d0%be%d0%b3\/furniture-sourcing-agent-china-guide\/\">\u0410\u0433\u0435\u043d\u0442\u044b \u043f\u043e \u0437\u0430\u043a\u0443\u043f\u043a\u0435 \u043c\u0435\u0431\u0435\u043b\u0438 \u0432 \u041a\u0438\u0442\u0430\u0435 \u2014 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u0435 \u0440\u0443\u043a\u043e\u0432\u043e\u0434\u0441\u0442\u0432\u043e<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/sourcefoshan.com\/ru\/%d0%b1%d0%bb%d0%be%d0%b3\/furniture-guide-kickbacks-foshan\/\">\u0413\u0438\u0434\u044b \u043f\u043e \u043c\u0435\u0431\u0435\u043b\u0438 \u0424\u043e\u0448\u0430\u043d\u044f \u0438 \u0441\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044b\u0435 \u043a\u043e\u043c\u0438\u0441\u0441\u0438\u0438<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/sourcefoshan.com\/ru\/%d0%b1%d0%bb%d0%be%d0%b3\/alibaba-vs-sourcing-agent-furniture\/\">Alibaba \u0438\u043b\u0438 \u0437\u0430\u043a\u0443\u043f\u043e\u0447\u043d\u044b\u0439 \u0430\u0433\u0435\u043d\u0442 \u0434\u043b\u044f \u043c\u0435\u0431\u0435\u043b\u0438? \u0413\u0434\u0435 \u0440\u0430\u0431\u043e\u0442\u0430\u0435\u0442 \u043a\u0430\u0436\u0434\u044b\u0439 \u0432\u0430\u0440\u0438\u0430\u043d\u0442<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/sourcefoshan.com\/ru\/%d0%bf%d0%be%d0%b8%d1%81%d0%ba-%d0%bf%d0%be%d1%81%d1%82%d0%b0%d0%b2%d1%89%d0%b8%d0%ba%d0%be%d0%b2-%d0%bc%d0%b5%d0%b1%d0%b5%d0%bb%d0%b8\/\">\u041f\u043e\u0438\u0441\u043a \u043f\u043e\u0441\u0442\u0430\u0432\u0449\u0438\u043a\u043e\u0432 \u043c\u0435\u0431\u0435\u043b\u0438 \u0438 \u043a\u043e\u043d\u0441\u043e\u043b\u0438\u0434\u0430\u0446\u0438\u044f \u0433\u0440\u0443\u0437\u043e\u0432<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/sourcefoshan.com\/ru\/%d0%bf%d0%be%d1%81%d0%b5%d1%82%d0%b8%d1%82%d0%b5-%d1%84%d0%be%d1%88%d0%b0%d0%bd%d1%8c\/\">\u0421\u043f\u043b\u0430\u043d\u0438\u0440\u043e\u0432\u0430\u0442\u044c \u0432\u0438\u0437\u0438\u0442 \u0432 Foshan<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/sourcefoshan.com\/ru\/%d0%b1%d0%bb%d0%be%d0%b3\/how-to-buy-furniture-from-china-step-by-step\/\">\u041a\u0430\u043a \u043a\u0443\u043f\u0438\u0442\u044c \u043c\u0435\u0431\u0435\u043b\u044c \u0432 \u041a\u0438\u0442\u0430\u0435 \u2014 \u043f\u043e\u0448\u0430\u0433\u043e\u0432\u043e (\u0438\u0437\u0434\u0430\u043d\u0438\u0435 2026 \u0433\u043e\u0434\u0430)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/sourcefoshan.com\/ru\/%d0%b1%d0%bb%d0%be%d0%b3\/who-sells-foshan-furniture-online\/\">\u041a\u0442\u043e \u043f\u0440\u043e\u0434\u0430\u0451\u0442 \u043c\u0435\u0431\u0435\u043b\u044c \u0438\u0437 Foshan \u043e\u043d\u043b\u0430\u0439\u043d<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"sources\">\n<h2 class=\"translation-block\">\u0418\u0441\u0442\u043e\u0447\u043d\u0438\u043a\u0438<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"sources\">\n<li>Xiaohongshu maker\/seller source note (2026-06-02, 58 likes, 19 comments). <a href=\"https:\/\/www.xiaohongshu.com\/explore\/6a1eb89d00000000210095df\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">\u0421\u043c\u043e\u0442\u0440\u0435\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0441\u0442\u043e\u0447\u043d\u0438\u043a<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Xiaohongshu maker\/seller source note (2025-02-16, 41 likes, 24 comments). <a href=\"https:\/\/www.xiaohongshu.com\/explore\/67b00283000000001902fe89\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">\u0421\u043c\u043e\u0442\u0440\u0435\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0441\u0442\u043e\u0447\u043d\u0438\u043a<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Xiaohongshu maker\/seller source note (2025-12-29, 77 likes, 7 comments). <a href=\"https:\/\/www.xiaohongshu.com\/explore\/695261180000000021030de6\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">\u0421\u043c\u043e\u0442\u0440\u0435\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0441\u0442\u043e\u0447\u043d\u0438\u043a<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"cta\">\n<h2>Put your fifteen questions to us<\/h2>\n<p>Send the list and your project. We answer each one in writing, with the documents behind it, before you commit to anything.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/sourcefoshan.com\/ru\/%d0%bd%d0%b0%d1%87%d0%bd%d0%b8%d1%82%d0%b5-%d1%81%d0%b2%d0%be%d0%b9-%d0%bf%d1%80%d0%be%d0%b5%d0%ba%d1%82\/\">\u041e\u0442\u043f\u0440\u0430\u0432\u0438\u0442\u044c \u043c\u043e\u0439 \u043f\u0440\u043e\u0435\u043a\u0442 \u2192<\/a><a class=\"ghost\" href=\"https:\/\/wa.me\/8615192569580\">\u041d\u0430\u043f\u0438\u0441\u0430\u0442\u044c \u043d\u0430\u043c \u0432 WhatsApp<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>15 questions to ask a furniture sourcing agent in China before you sign: fees, supplier commissions, deposits, inspection, shipping, claims and red flags.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":1170,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[23,24],"class_list":["post-809","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-buying-guides","tag-furniture-sourcing-agents","tag-international-sourcing"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sourcefoshan.com\/ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/809","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sourcefoshan.com\/ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sourcefoshan.com\/ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sourcefoshan.com\/ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=809"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/sourcefoshan.com\/ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/809\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5139,"href":"https:\/\/sourcefoshan.com\/ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/809\/revisions\/5139"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sourcefoshan.com\/ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1170"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sourcefoshan.com\/ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=809"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sourcefoshan.com\/ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=809"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sourcefoshan.com\/ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=809"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}