I like shopping. And something happens when I go to China. Something in the air — either the around-the-clock manufacturing or the settling dust of a run-away economy – turns me into a rabid consumer.
Cute eyeglass frames for $15 USD each. Wooden buttons shaped like elephants. Ceramic buttons painted like porcelain. Tibetan prayer bowls. Cellphone covers for every day of the week.
Some may ask whether I actually needed the same linen balloon pants in three different earth-tone colors.
Honestly? I really did. Because I was on my China shopping spree.
China isn’t simply about the Great Wall or 5,000 years of history. With its economic development, China has become a major shopping destination with its own unique flair.
The Guomao district in Beijing, home of the China World Shopping Mall, features such storefronts as Louis Vuitton, Burberry, and Prada.
For me, however, these sterile fluorescent halls with their white mannequins have never held quite as much appeal as China’s other shopping venues.
Packed antique stalls, bustling night markets, and shopping centers divided into booths of different vendors with the same merchandise. That's what I'm here for.
For those inadequately prepared, however, shopping in China can be a complete nightmare. There are certain things you'll have to know to survive your first few shopping experiences.
1. Sometimes people will follow you
I was seven years old on my first trip to China when this happened to me. A salesperson trying to convince my mother that I needed a pair of khaki pants followed us for several hundred feet.
Depending on where you are, sales associates will be terrifyingly tenacious when dealing with weak-willed customers.
You'll need to be equally tenacious when you're bargaining to get a good deal.
3. It's easy to get exactly what you want
One of the best things about shopping in China is getting your purchases customized.
Jewelry stores often display strings of beads that can be bought and transformed into whatever shapes and patterns you please.
Fabrics of your choice can be brought to a tailor, along with a pattern, photo, or sample of what you want made.
Friends of mine have purchased silk-lined suits, cloth cargo shorts, and even a wedding dress custom-made this way.By the way ,you can get taobao chinese traditional jacket online,such as taobao and agreetao.
6. Vendors expect you to bargain
Modern shopping malls generally have set prices that can’t be negotiated, but vendors at night markets, antique stalls, or personal booths at other shopping centers usually expect customers to question their prices.
But bargaining and haggling isn’t just procedure. It’s an artform. You can see how real Chinese people bargain in a Yoyo Chinese premium video and learn a few phrases to get a good deal.
I've listed a few phrases below this video, too, so you'll have more to work with!
2015年12月27日 星期日
2015年12月15日 星期二
Trade with China
In the beginning of 2015, President Xi of China and President Obama announced an historic agreement committing our two countries to dramatic action in the fight against climate change.
This April, as a critical part of that commitment, leaders in government and business took an important step to realize that agreement: a trade mission to China, connecting America’s clean energy innovators with China’s vast energy markets. You can check china trade credit in CNbizsearch.
The opportunity is enormous. Under the joint climate agreement, China intends to peak its carbon emissions and generate one-fifth of its energy from clean sources within 15 years. The latter target alone amounts to building about a billion kilowatts of new, low-carbon capacity — a fleet of power plants roughly the size of the entire U.S. electrical grid.
China’s energy needs will require infrastructure. But even more so, they’ll require cutting-edge technology — advanced tools to harness new fuels, capture greenhouse gases, and manage energy demand on a massive scale.
By adopting some of the world’s most ambitious climate targets, the United States and China have opened up one of the world’s most expansive new marketplaces for low-carbon technology. And it’s a marketplace where American businesses are uniquely positioned to compete and win.
Over the past several years, American engineers and entrepreneurs have unleashed a wave of unprecedented growth in clean tech. American innovation has helped cut the price of high-tech batteries by more than 60 percent in six years. This week, they became cheap enough to power not just our cars, but our homes. Likewise, America’s solar electricity production has increased more than twentyfold since 2009. Our utilities have rolled out smart meters to nearly 40 million households, and their data is driving the world’s leading energy analytics companies.
All told, businesses that deliver advanced energy solutions are growing five times faster than the rest of U.S. economy. They’re creating thousands of good-paying jobs that can’t be shipped overseas. Early-stage investment from the private and public sectors is seeding a new generation of revolutionary ideas.
It’s worth noting that in many cases, smart policies have helped fuel that success. State-based energy regulations have stimulated demand for cleaner, more efficient technologies, and federal tax incentives have pushed their costs down. New standards under the Obama’s Clean Power Plan will do even more to drive innovation.
But credit belongs first and foremost to the businesses that have shouldered the risks — and today, America is reaping the rewards of a resurgent clean energy economy. Revenue soared to $200 billion last year, and U.S. companies claimed 15 percent of the global market for advanced energy in 2014.
The trade delegation that traveled to China, alongside many others in our industry, have an opportunity to capture an even larger share of that market. As China pushes hard to curb its emissions, it will need the kind of advanced, scalable clean energy technology that American businesses are ready to export.
That’s why leaders from the Department of Commerce, the Department of Energy, and 24 American firms, including mine, traveled from Beijing to Guangzhou this month to offer a host of next-generation climate solutions, spanning green buildings and data centers to smart grid software.
In the months ahead, our two countries will accelerate bilateral trade in low-carbon products and services. Our businesses will continue to grow and add jobs, and the cost of clean energy will fall. Earth’s two largest economies and two largest carbon emitters — which together account for half of all greenhouse gas pollution — will signal by the power of our example that we’re willing to lead in a new clean energy era.
In turn, concrete steps toward our shared climate commitments will continue to spur progress beyond our borders. Scaling the global clean energy economy is already driving down the cost of low-carbon technologies worldwide. More countries are getting the chance to invest.
They’re also looking ahead to the next United Nations Climate Conference. When the U.S. and China approach the negotiating table in November, the world will finally see the two most critical climate actors champion an ambitious, inclusive deal to drive down global carbon pollution.
If an agreement can be reached in Paris — and there is great optimism that it can — American businesses will turn the text of a treaty into tech that’s ready to ship all over the world. That’s good news for our economy, but even more so for our children, for whom climate solutions mean the difference between a livable planet and one that’s beyond fixing.
This April, as a critical part of that commitment, leaders in government and business took an important step to realize that agreement: a trade mission to China, connecting America’s clean energy innovators with China’s vast energy markets. You can check china trade credit in CNbizsearch.
The opportunity is enormous. Under the joint climate agreement, China intends to peak its carbon emissions and generate one-fifth of its energy from clean sources within 15 years. The latter target alone amounts to building about a billion kilowatts of new, low-carbon capacity — a fleet of power plants roughly the size of the entire U.S. electrical grid.
China’s energy needs will require infrastructure. But even more so, they’ll require cutting-edge technology — advanced tools to harness new fuels, capture greenhouse gases, and manage energy demand on a massive scale.
By adopting some of the world’s most ambitious climate targets, the United States and China have opened up one of the world’s most expansive new marketplaces for low-carbon technology. And it’s a marketplace where American businesses are uniquely positioned to compete and win.
Over the past several years, American engineers and entrepreneurs have unleashed a wave of unprecedented growth in clean tech. American innovation has helped cut the price of high-tech batteries by more than 60 percent in six years. This week, they became cheap enough to power not just our cars, but our homes. Likewise, America’s solar electricity production has increased more than twentyfold since 2009. Our utilities have rolled out smart meters to nearly 40 million households, and their data is driving the world’s leading energy analytics companies.
All told, businesses that deliver advanced energy solutions are growing five times faster than the rest of U.S. economy. They’re creating thousands of good-paying jobs that can’t be shipped overseas. Early-stage investment from the private and public sectors is seeding a new generation of revolutionary ideas.
It’s worth noting that in many cases, smart policies have helped fuel that success. State-based energy regulations have stimulated demand for cleaner, more efficient technologies, and federal tax incentives have pushed their costs down. New standards under the Obama’s Clean Power Plan will do even more to drive innovation.
But credit belongs first and foremost to the businesses that have shouldered the risks — and today, America is reaping the rewards of a resurgent clean energy economy. Revenue soared to $200 billion last year, and U.S. companies claimed 15 percent of the global market for advanced energy in 2014.
The trade delegation that traveled to China, alongside many others in our industry, have an opportunity to capture an even larger share of that market. As China pushes hard to curb its emissions, it will need the kind of advanced, scalable clean energy technology that American businesses are ready to export.
That’s why leaders from the Department of Commerce, the Department of Energy, and 24 American firms, including mine, traveled from Beijing to Guangzhou this month to offer a host of next-generation climate solutions, spanning green buildings and data centers to smart grid software.
In the months ahead, our two countries will accelerate bilateral trade in low-carbon products and services. Our businesses will continue to grow and add jobs, and the cost of clean energy will fall. Earth’s two largest economies and two largest carbon emitters — which together account for half of all greenhouse gas pollution — will signal by the power of our example that we’re willing to lead in a new clean energy era.
In turn, concrete steps toward our shared climate commitments will continue to spur progress beyond our borders. Scaling the global clean energy economy is already driving down the cost of low-carbon technologies worldwide. More countries are getting the chance to invest.
They’re also looking ahead to the next United Nations Climate Conference. When the U.S. and China approach the negotiating table in November, the world will finally see the two most critical climate actors champion an ambitious, inclusive deal to drive down global carbon pollution.
If an agreement can be reached in Paris — and there is great optimism that it can — American businesses will turn the text of a treaty into tech that’s ready to ship all over the world. That’s good news for our economy, but even more so for our children, for whom climate solutions mean the difference between a livable planet and one that’s beyond fixing.
2015年12月7日 星期一
Advantages of using an electric scooter
This article provides information about mobility scooters, and the health benefits they can provide. By getting an electric scooter, you can open many doors that have been previously closed, perhaps because of a disability or illness - such as going shopping, going out for the day, going for a "walk" with the children or grandchildren. Anyone who struggles to walk or gets tired after walking a short distance could benefit from using a mobility scooter. Using an electric scooter is not an admission of defeat and can make a great deal of difference to your quality of life, and can even provide a new lease of life and a new found independence.
If you are thinking about getting a mobility scooter, it is probably past time to do it. However, the sooner you start using an electric scooter, the longer you might retain the ability to walk.
A disabled scooter can give you more energy because you won't be using all your energy in trying to walk, or push a traditional wheelchair. Using an electric scooter will help to relieve the strain on shoulder muscles and wrist and elbow joints that are used when pushing yourself in a self propelled wheelchair or someone else in a traditional transit wheelchair. An electric scooter can help to provide you with the freedom to go where ever you want, whenever you want. Some models are capable of travelling up to 35 miles between charges, so the distance you can cover is much greater than in a traditional wheelchair.
A large number of supermarkets and DIY stores as well as other shops offer customers the use of a mobility scooter whilst shopping. If you are not sure if you would benefit from one, why not try one and see if it makes shopping any easier. Some places such as large shopping centres or town centres offer Shopmobility, which is a scheme that lends or hires mobility equipment based on the user's requirements, and then provides brief training on using the equipment. If you go on holiday why not arrange to hire a mobility scooter instead of taking your wheelchair, and see if it makes a difference.
By getting an electric scooter, you can open many doors that have been previously closed, perhaps because of a disability or illness - such as going shopping, going out for the day, going for a "walk" with the children or grandchildren. You can go up and down steep hills in comfort and without fear of rolling down the hill, and without being worn out for days afterwards. You can visit friends and relatives at your convenience, without needing to rely on public transport. Most mobility scooters have a key to start them, and so if the key is removed the scooter cannot be driven. This means that the scooter can be left outside a shop, for example, and it can be "locked" like a car.
If you think that you, a friend or relative could benefit from a mobility scooter or a powerchair, why not try some and find one that you like. If you know somebody with a mobility scooter, ask them about it, and what improvements it has brought them. Mobility scooters can mean the difference between managing to live at home independently, and having to rely on others.
If you are thinking about getting a mobility scooter, it is probably past time to do it. However, the sooner you start using an electric scooter, the longer you might retain the ability to walk.
A disabled scooter can give you more energy because you won't be using all your energy in trying to walk, or push a traditional wheelchair. Using an electric scooter will help to relieve the strain on shoulder muscles and wrist and elbow joints that are used when pushing yourself in a self propelled wheelchair or someone else in a traditional transit wheelchair. An electric scooter can help to provide you with the freedom to go where ever you want, whenever you want. Some models are capable of travelling up to 35 miles between charges, so the distance you can cover is much greater than in a traditional wheelchair.
A large number of supermarkets and DIY stores as well as other shops offer customers the use of a mobility scooter whilst shopping. If you are not sure if you would benefit from one, why not try one and see if it makes shopping any easier. Some places such as large shopping centres or town centres offer Shopmobility, which is a scheme that lends or hires mobility equipment based on the user's requirements, and then provides brief training on using the equipment. If you go on holiday why not arrange to hire a mobility scooter instead of taking your wheelchair, and see if it makes a difference.
By getting an electric scooter, you can open many doors that have been previously closed, perhaps because of a disability or illness - such as going shopping, going out for the day, going for a "walk" with the children or grandchildren. You can go up and down steep hills in comfort and without fear of rolling down the hill, and without being worn out for days afterwards. You can visit friends and relatives at your convenience, without needing to rely on public transport. Most mobility scooters have a key to start them, and so if the key is removed the scooter cannot be driven. This means that the scooter can be left outside a shop, for example, and it can be "locked" like a car.
If you think that you, a friend or relative could benefit from a mobility scooter or a powerchair, why not try some and find one that you like. If you know somebody with a mobility scooter, ask them about it, and what improvements it has brought them. Mobility scooters can mean the difference between managing to live at home independently, and having to rely on others.
2015年11月29日 星期日
Chinese Company Verification: How to Vet Suppliers
Two often I hear Buyers making supplier selections on highly arbitrary factors, primarily the responsiveness the sales rep on the other side. Such factors are largely irrelevant. A supplier selection without the right data is often the root cause of quality issues further down the road. In this article, we explain how you can perform a China Company Verification by analyzing their documentation. This procedure can be managed from your office, and doesn’t require an on site visit.
Considering it a first step of the selection procedure, as there are limitations to what can be done from a distance – as compared to more comprehensive, and far more expensive, factory audits. The ideal outcome is identifying a number of potential candidates. In this article, we look into two sets of documentation, company related documents and product related documents, and the role of buyer references and US customs data.
Company Documents
a. Business License
Every registered company, regardless of type, in Mainland China, has a business license. The business license contains key information about the company, that can tell many things about the supplier. For importers there are two parts of particular interest:
Registered Capital: All limited liability companies have a set registered capital. The registered capital amount indicates the size of the company. The more, the better – and a company with a very low amount, below RMB 500,000, is likely a trading company. Not a manufacturer. It’s hard to set a minimum limit, as it varies by industry. Watch manufacturers, for example, tend to have below RMB 1,000,000 in capital. Watch manufacturing is a low value added industry, and the need for capital (both in terms of money and machinery) is rather low. However, in other industries, say LED displays, RMB 1,000,000 is far below the minimum. I suggest that you look at the ratio, between different suppliers in a given industry, rather than fixed minimum numbers.
Business Scope: Specifies the nature of the company. For suppliers of goods, the specific type of products is listed. The business scope can be very helpful in determining whether or not you’re dealing with a ‘proper’ manufacturer, or a trader. For manufacturers, the listed products tend to be more specific, and within the same category. Also look out for terms like ‘production’ and ‘assembly’. Trading companies, on the other hand, tend to include products of very different nature (i.e. electronics, watches and textiles). If the business scope only mentions ‘wholesale’, ‘trade’ and ‘distribution’, it’s most likely a trader.
Keep in mind that the business license is only available in Chinese language. Suppliers have no reason to refuse sending a copy of their business license, but if they do, request them to share their business license / company registration number. With this number, you can access the very same information on Chinese government websites. However, the online company databases are exclusively in Chinese language.
b. Bank Account Details
Payment frauds are relatively common. That being said, confirming the supplier’s bank account details early on is not only a fraud prevention measure, but also quite telling in itself. This is what you should request:
Beneficiary Name: The company name of the bank account holder must match the supplier name. Never pay to a personal bank account, or one that is not matching the suppliers English language company name.
Country / Region: Many suppliers, especially those based in Guangdong province, hold offshore bank accounts in Hong Kong. This offshore account is almost exclusively held by an offshore company, rather than the company entity in Mainland China. Yes, it may sound complicated, but in short this means that there is no direct link between the actual manufacturer, and the seller of goods. In case of dispute, a scenario that shall never be ruled out, it’s easier for the supplier to evade responsibility.
c. Quality Management System Certificate
A Quality Management System (QMS) is a set of rules and processes for monitoring quality throughout the production line. There are various standardized protocols, with ISO 9001 being the most common. If a QMS is applied properly, the risk of defective products is vastly reduced. In order to prove compliance with a QMS, which is required by many overseas buyers, a supplier can choose to go through yearly audits. A passed audit results in the issuing of a Quality Management Certificate. This is what you should be looking for:
Product Scope: The QMS is only valid for the products / product categories listed on the certificate. This shouldn’t differ much from the products specified in the business scope.
In principle, the same checkpoints apply as for the Quality Management Certificate. But, why is Social Compliance (i.e. BSCI) and Environmental (i.e. ISO 14001) Certification relevant? Apart from the obvious ‘feel good’ factor, you should consider the following:
1. Suppliers with BSCI and ISO 14001 have often ensured compliance to attract large overseas buyers. Such suppliers are more likely to maintain high standards in both technical and managerial terms.
2. Social and Environmental Safety matters, even from a strictly commercial perspective. You don’t want to be associated with suppliers guilty of labor violation and contamination of the local environment. The Chinese government has stepped up enforcement of environmental protection laws, in the last few years, resulting in crackdowns in entire industries. Last year I had the unpleasant experience of dealing with a shipment, held by a supplier who was forced to halt operations due to said violations.
Considering it a first step of the selection procedure, as there are limitations to what can be done from a distance – as compared to more comprehensive, and far more expensive, factory audits. The ideal outcome is identifying a number of potential candidates. In this article, we look into two sets of documentation, company related documents and product related documents, and the role of buyer references and US customs data.
Company Documents
a. Business License
Every registered company, regardless of type, in Mainland China, has a business license. The business license contains key information about the company, that can tell many things about the supplier. For importers there are two parts of particular interest:
Registered Capital: All limited liability companies have a set registered capital. The registered capital amount indicates the size of the company. The more, the better – and a company with a very low amount, below RMB 500,000, is likely a trading company. Not a manufacturer. It’s hard to set a minimum limit, as it varies by industry. Watch manufacturers, for example, tend to have below RMB 1,000,000 in capital. Watch manufacturing is a low value added industry, and the need for capital (both in terms of money and machinery) is rather low. However, in other industries, say LED displays, RMB 1,000,000 is far below the minimum. I suggest that you look at the ratio, between different suppliers in a given industry, rather than fixed minimum numbers.
Business Scope: Specifies the nature of the company. For suppliers of goods, the specific type of products is listed. The business scope can be very helpful in determining whether or not you’re dealing with a ‘proper’ manufacturer, or a trader. For manufacturers, the listed products tend to be more specific, and within the same category. Also look out for terms like ‘production’ and ‘assembly’. Trading companies, on the other hand, tend to include products of very different nature (i.e. electronics, watches and textiles). If the business scope only mentions ‘wholesale’, ‘trade’ and ‘distribution’, it’s most likely a trader.
Keep in mind that the business license is only available in Chinese language. Suppliers have no reason to refuse sending a copy of their business license, but if they do, request them to share their business license / company registration number. With this number, you can access the very same information on Chinese government websites. However, the online company databases are exclusively in Chinese language.
b. Bank Account Details
Payment frauds are relatively common. That being said, confirming the supplier’s bank account details early on is not only a fraud prevention measure, but also quite telling in itself. This is what you should request:
Beneficiary Name: The company name of the bank account holder must match the supplier name. Never pay to a personal bank account, or one that is not matching the suppliers English language company name.
Country / Region: Many suppliers, especially those based in Guangdong province, hold offshore bank accounts in Hong Kong. This offshore account is almost exclusively held by an offshore company, rather than the company entity in Mainland China. Yes, it may sound complicated, but in short this means that there is no direct link between the actual manufacturer, and the seller of goods. In case of dispute, a scenario that shall never be ruled out, it’s easier for the supplier to evade responsibility.
c. Quality Management System Certificate
A Quality Management System (QMS) is a set of rules and processes for monitoring quality throughout the production line. There are various standardized protocols, with ISO 9001 being the most common. If a QMS is applied properly, the risk of defective products is vastly reduced. In order to prove compliance with a QMS, which is required by many overseas buyers, a supplier can choose to go through yearly audits. A passed audit results in the issuing of a Quality Management Certificate. This is what you should be looking for:
Product Scope: The QMS is only valid for the products / product categories listed on the certificate. This shouldn’t differ much from the products specified in the business scope.
In principle, the same checkpoints apply as for the Quality Management Certificate. But, why is Social Compliance (i.e. BSCI) and Environmental (i.e. ISO 14001) Certification relevant? Apart from the obvious ‘feel good’ factor, you should consider the following:
1. Suppliers with BSCI and ISO 14001 have often ensured compliance to attract large overseas buyers. Such suppliers are more likely to maintain high standards in both technical and managerial terms.
2. Social and Environmental Safety matters, even from a strictly commercial perspective. You don’t want to be associated with suppliers guilty of labor violation and contamination of the local environment. The Chinese government has stepped up enforcement of environmental protection laws, in the last few years, resulting in crackdowns in entire industries. Last year I had the unpleasant experience of dealing with a shipment, held by a supplier who was forced to halt operations due to said violations.
2015年11月18日 星期三
The all Electric Hovering self balance scooter
Segway is fun, more and more people choosed a segway for their daily life. A new site can be seen in towns and cities all over the world at the moment in the form of small electric scooters being used as personal transportation devices. People are finding that a balance scooter in the perfect way to get around quickly and easily.
The new electric scooters have a unique, new and small design which means they can 'hover' a person along a pavement, down a road or path and work both indoors and outdoors.
The electric scooter fad has become apparent after a number of celebrities and online bloggers and youtube stars began using the escooters to get around. Unlike other scooters they do not have handlebars and rely on the balance and ingenuity of the person riding the escooter.
An electronic gyroscope inside the scooter means it will balance automatically whenever a person places two feet on it. Unlike previous similar transportation devices like the Segway, Unicycles, Push scooters an electronic self balancing scooter only requires you to tilt your feet and body in the direction you wish to travel. The pivoting self balancing electric scooter
can then work out which direction you wish to go and send you in that direction using built in motors connected to each wheel.
The battery life of an self balancing electric scooter is outstanding allow somebody to travel around 22KM without needing a recharge. The electronic scooter we tested was certified for use in wet weather. Every 2 wheel self balancing scooter is strongly deisigned and constructed meaning in can withstand the bumps and knocks of travelling around a busy town or city.
If you don't want to spend each day on a self balancing unicycle then battery powered motorized scooters look like the perfect way to get around.
The new electric scooters have a unique, new and small design which means they can 'hover' a person along a pavement, down a road or path and work both indoors and outdoors.
The electric scooter fad has become apparent after a number of celebrities and online bloggers and youtube stars began using the escooters to get around. Unlike other scooters they do not have handlebars and rely on the balance and ingenuity of the person riding the escooter.
An electronic gyroscope inside the scooter means it will balance automatically whenever a person places two feet on it. Unlike previous similar transportation devices like the Segway, Unicycles, Push scooters an electronic self balancing scooter only requires you to tilt your feet and body in the direction you wish to travel. The pivoting self balancing electric scooter
can then work out which direction you wish to go and send you in that direction using built in motors connected to each wheel.
The battery life of an self balancing electric scooter is outstanding allow somebody to travel around 22KM without needing a recharge. The electronic scooter we tested was certified for use in wet weather. Every 2 wheel self balancing scooter is strongly deisigned and constructed meaning in can withstand the bumps and knocks of travelling around a busy town or city.
If you don't want to spend each day on a self balancing unicycle then battery powered motorized scooters look like the perfect way to get around.
2015年11月8日 星期日
The Seven Most Baffling Things About Women's Clothes (1)
There are a lot of annoying things about being a woman, like periods, childbirth and not being able to play basketball in a way that keeps spectators awake. But near the top of the list has got to be buying clothes.
I know one way to fix it is just to be ballsy and wear men's clothes, and that's a bold choice. But you take a social hit for wearing "masculine" clothes, and most women don't want to take that hit. So they go to buy clothes made specifically "for women," and generally find a set of the most impractical, low-quality, high-maintenance crap that a sweatshop can make. View this page if you want to buy taobao women clothes.
Here are a few of the many, many awful things about the clothes that manufacturers want women to wear:
#7. The Material Is Too Thin
Go through any women's clothes section and put your hand inside all the shirts and dresses and see if you can see it. (If you are a man, try to make sure no one is looking first.) About 50 percent of the time, you are going to get a pretty good view of your hand. And you don't have to go to a fancy boutique; this holds true for my neighborhood Target.
#6. Fake Pockets or No Pockets
One thing I think a lot of men take for granted is pockets. It seems like men always have pockets. They're a requirement in men's pants, men's coats always have functional pockets and I guess even men's prison jumpsuits must have them, since I hear about people smuggling goods into prison all the time.
Women's clothing manufacturers, on the other hand, seem to believe women can't be trusted with pockets. Something like 99 percent of dresses have no pockets at all, and the more formal you get, the more likely a women's coat or pants pocket is going to be a fake, decorative pocket.
#5. Too Cold
Another problem is that women's clothes are too damn cold. Part of it is the thinness of much of the material, as mentioned before, but no matter how thick the material, many, many styles involve increasing exposure, like dipped necklines, three-quarter sleeves or skirts and dresses.
It can be easy to chalk this up just to women who dress "provocatively," but the truth is that a fairly normal, unprovocative women's style exposes a lot more skin than men's clothes. A below-knee skirt still exposes your shins. A three-quarter sleeve isn't terribly provocative unless you have a thing for forearms. And necklines don't need to go anywhere near the boobs to still be a lot wider than the average men's neckline.
#4. Arbitrary Clothing Sizes
Men's pants sizes are logical and come in measurements of at least waist size, and often inseam, too. Women's pants sizes, and clothing sizes in general, are meaningless, arbitrary numbers that come, as far as I can tell, from having kittens bat around a 20-sided die.
I know one way to fix it is just to be ballsy and wear men's clothes, and that's a bold choice. But you take a social hit for wearing "masculine" clothes, and most women don't want to take that hit. So they go to buy clothes made specifically "for women," and generally find a set of the most impractical, low-quality, high-maintenance crap that a sweatshop can make. View this page if you want to buy taobao women clothes.
Here are a few of the many, many awful things about the clothes that manufacturers want women to wear:
#7. The Material Is Too Thin
Go through any women's clothes section and put your hand inside all the shirts and dresses and see if you can see it. (If you are a man, try to make sure no one is looking first.) About 50 percent of the time, you are going to get a pretty good view of your hand. And you don't have to go to a fancy boutique; this holds true for my neighborhood Target.
#6. Fake Pockets or No Pockets
One thing I think a lot of men take for granted is pockets. It seems like men always have pockets. They're a requirement in men's pants, men's coats always have functional pockets and I guess even men's prison jumpsuits must have them, since I hear about people smuggling goods into prison all the time.
Women's clothing manufacturers, on the other hand, seem to believe women can't be trusted with pockets. Something like 99 percent of dresses have no pockets at all, and the more formal you get, the more likely a women's coat or pants pocket is going to be a fake, decorative pocket.
#5. Too Cold
Another problem is that women's clothes are too damn cold. Part of it is the thinness of much of the material, as mentioned before, but no matter how thick the material, many, many styles involve increasing exposure, like dipped necklines, three-quarter sleeves or skirts and dresses.
It can be easy to chalk this up just to women who dress "provocatively," but the truth is that a fairly normal, unprovocative women's style exposes a lot more skin than men's clothes. A below-knee skirt still exposes your shins. A three-quarter sleeve isn't terribly provocative unless you have a thing for forearms. And necklines don't need to go anywhere near the boobs to still be a lot wider than the average men's neckline.
#4. Arbitrary Clothing Sizes
Men's pants sizes are logical and come in measurements of at least waist size, and often inseam, too. Women's pants sizes, and clothing sizes in general, are meaningless, arbitrary numbers that come, as far as I can tell, from having kittens bat around a 20-sided die.
2015年11月2日 星期一
Chinese Company Verification: How to Vet Suppliers
Two often I hear Buyers making supplier selections on highly arbitrary factors, primarily the responsiveness the sales rep on the other side. Such factors are largely irrelevant. A supplier selection without the right data is often the root cause of quality issues further down the road. In this article, we explain how you can perform a China Company Verification by analyzing their documentation. This procedure can be managed from your office, and doesn’t require an on site visit.
Considering it a first step of the selection procedure, as there are limitations to what can be done from a distance – as compared to more comprehensive, and far more expensive, factory audits. The ideal outcome is identifying a number of potential candidates. In this article, we look into two sets of documentation, company related documents and product related documents, and the role of buyer references and US customs data.
Company Documents
a. Business License
Every registered company, regardless of type, in Mainland China, has a business license. The business license contains key information about the company, that can tell many things about the supplier. For importers there are two parts of particular interest:
Registered Capital: All limited liability companies have a set registered capital. The registered capital amount indicates the size of the company. The more, the better – and a company with a very low amount, below RMB 500,000, is likely a trading company. Not a manufacturer. It’s hard to set a minimum limit, as it varies by industry. Watch manufacturers, for example, tend to have below RMB 1,000,000 in capital. Watch manufacturing is a low value added industry, and the need for capital (both in terms of money and machinery) is rather low. However, in other industries, say LED displays, RMB 1,000,000 is far below the minimum. I suggest that you look at the ratio, between different suppliers in a given industry, rather than fixed minimum numbers.
Business Scope: Specifies the nature of the company. For suppliers of goods, the specific type of products is listed. The business scope can be very helpful in determining whether or not you’re dealing with a ‘proper’ manufacturer, or a trader. For manufacturers, the listed products tend to be more specific, and within the same category. Also look out for terms like ‘production’ and ‘assembly’. Trading companies, on the other hand, tend to include products of very different nature (i.e. electronics, watches and textiles). If the business scope only mentions ‘wholesale’, ‘trade’ and ‘distribution’, it’s most likely a trader.
Keep in mind that the business license is only available in Chinese language. Suppliers have no reason to refuse sending a copy of their business license, but if they do, request them to share their business license / company registration number. With this number, you can access the very same information on Chinese government websites. However, the online company databases are exclusively in Chinese language.
b. Bank Account Details
Payment frauds are relatively common. That being said, confirming the supplier’s bank account details early on is not only a fraud prevention measure, but also quite telling in itself. This is what you should request:
Beneficiary Name: The company name of the bank account holder must match the supplier name. Never pay to a personal bank account, or one that is not matching the suppliers English language company name.
Country / Region: Many suppliers, especially those based in Guangdong province, hold offshore bank accounts in Hong Kong. This offshore account is almost exclusively held by an offshore company, rather than the company entity in Mainland China. Yes, it may sound complicated, but in short this means that there is no direct link between the actual manufacturer, and the seller of goods. In case of dispute, a scenario that shall never be ruled out, it’s easier for the supplier to evade responsibility.
c. Quality Management System Certificate
A Quality Management System (QMS) is a set of rules and processes for monitoring quality throughout the production line. There are various standardized protocols, with ISO 9001 being the most common. If a QMS is applied properly, the risk of defective products is vastly reduced. In order to prove compliance with a QMS, which is required by many overseas buyers, a supplier can choose to go through yearly audits. A passed audit results in the issuing of a Quality Management Certificate. This is what you should be looking for:
Product Scope: The QMS is only valid for the products / product categories listed on the certificate. This shouldn’t differ much from the products specified in the business scope.
In principle, the same checkpoints apply as for the Quality Management Certificate. But, why is Social Compliance (i.e. BSCI) and Environmental (i.e. ISO 14001) Certification relevant? Apart from the obvious ‘feel good’ factor, you should consider the following:
1. Suppliers with BSCI and ISO 14001 have often ensured compliance to attract large overseas buyers. Such suppliers are more likely to maintain high standards in both technical and managerial terms.
2. Social and Environmental Safety matters, even from a strictly commercial perspective. You don’t want to be associated with suppliers guilty of labor violation and contamination of the local environment. The Chinese government has stepped up enforcement of environmental protection laws, in the last few years, resulting in crackdowns in entire industries. Last year I had the unpleasant experience of dealing with a shipment, held by a supplier who was forced to halt operations due to said violations.
Considering it a first step of the selection procedure, as there are limitations to what can be done from a distance – as compared to more comprehensive, and far more expensive, factory audits. The ideal outcome is identifying a number of potential candidates. In this article, we look into two sets of documentation, company related documents and product related documents, and the role of buyer references and US customs data.
Company Documents
a. Business License
Every registered company, regardless of type, in Mainland China, has a business license. The business license contains key information about the company, that can tell many things about the supplier. For importers there are two parts of particular interest:
Registered Capital: All limited liability companies have a set registered capital. The registered capital amount indicates the size of the company. The more, the better – and a company with a very low amount, below RMB 500,000, is likely a trading company. Not a manufacturer. It’s hard to set a minimum limit, as it varies by industry. Watch manufacturers, for example, tend to have below RMB 1,000,000 in capital. Watch manufacturing is a low value added industry, and the need for capital (both in terms of money and machinery) is rather low. However, in other industries, say LED displays, RMB 1,000,000 is far below the minimum. I suggest that you look at the ratio, between different suppliers in a given industry, rather than fixed minimum numbers.
Business Scope: Specifies the nature of the company. For suppliers of goods, the specific type of products is listed. The business scope can be very helpful in determining whether or not you’re dealing with a ‘proper’ manufacturer, or a trader. For manufacturers, the listed products tend to be more specific, and within the same category. Also look out for terms like ‘production’ and ‘assembly’. Trading companies, on the other hand, tend to include products of very different nature (i.e. electronics, watches and textiles). If the business scope only mentions ‘wholesale’, ‘trade’ and ‘distribution’, it’s most likely a trader.
Keep in mind that the business license is only available in Chinese language. Suppliers have no reason to refuse sending a copy of their business license, but if they do, request them to share their business license / company registration number. With this number, you can access the very same information on Chinese government websites. However, the online company databases are exclusively in Chinese language.
b. Bank Account Details
Payment frauds are relatively common. That being said, confirming the supplier’s bank account details early on is not only a fraud prevention measure, but also quite telling in itself. This is what you should request:
Beneficiary Name: The company name of the bank account holder must match the supplier name. Never pay to a personal bank account, or one that is not matching the suppliers English language company name.
Country / Region: Many suppliers, especially those based in Guangdong province, hold offshore bank accounts in Hong Kong. This offshore account is almost exclusively held by an offshore company, rather than the company entity in Mainland China. Yes, it may sound complicated, but in short this means that there is no direct link between the actual manufacturer, and the seller of goods. In case of dispute, a scenario that shall never be ruled out, it’s easier for the supplier to evade responsibility.
c. Quality Management System Certificate
A Quality Management System (QMS) is a set of rules and processes for monitoring quality throughout the production line. There are various standardized protocols, with ISO 9001 being the most common. If a QMS is applied properly, the risk of defective products is vastly reduced. In order to prove compliance with a QMS, which is required by many overseas buyers, a supplier can choose to go through yearly audits. A passed audit results in the issuing of a Quality Management Certificate. This is what you should be looking for:
Product Scope: The QMS is only valid for the products / product categories listed on the certificate. This shouldn’t differ much from the products specified in the business scope.
In principle, the same checkpoints apply as for the Quality Management Certificate. But, why is Social Compliance (i.e. BSCI) and Environmental (i.e. ISO 14001) Certification relevant? Apart from the obvious ‘feel good’ factor, you should consider the following:
1. Suppliers with BSCI and ISO 14001 have often ensured compliance to attract large overseas buyers. Such suppliers are more likely to maintain high standards in both technical and managerial terms.
2. Social and Environmental Safety matters, even from a strictly commercial perspective. You don’t want to be associated with suppliers guilty of labor violation and contamination of the local environment. The Chinese government has stepped up enforcement of environmental protection laws, in the last few years, resulting in crackdowns in entire industries. Last year I had the unpleasant experience of dealing with a shipment, held by a supplier who was forced to halt operations due to said violations.
2015年9月28日 星期一
Why are women's blouses more expensive to clean than men's business shirts?
The reason cleaners charge more for women's blouses than men's business shirts is because they are passing along their increased cost of production to their customers. Depending on the cleaner's equipment, it costs them between three and four times the labor expense to properly "finish" blouses for women compared to a men's shirt. Here's why…
The biggest production cost for a cleaner is their labor expense, the money they pay their employees. Most of their labor goes into the "finishing" of a garment. Finishing is a combination of machine pressing and hand ironing. Most garments require a combination of machine pressing and hand ironing to achieve the desired finish. Many cleaners have special "assembly line style" machines that can finish the typical men's business shirts without any hand ironing. These machines greatly reduce the time and labor needed to finish a shirt compared to a women's blouse which sometimes requires as much as 100% hand ironing to achieve the proper finish. Depending on their equipment and the skill of the presser, most cleaners can finish three to four men's business shirts in the same time it takes to finish one women's blouse.
You may be thinking, why not make similar machines for finishing women's blouses? Well, I'm sure they would if they could. The problem is that women's blouses come in an extremely wide variety and combination of different patterns, fabric types, trims and ornamentation. Plus, these variations can change dramatically from season to season with the latest changes in fashion. This prevents the machine manufacturers from developing presses that will fit the majority of women's blouses. Where as men's shirts have basically looked exactly the same for more than 100 years and they're almost always made of 100% cotton or a cotton/poly blend. This stability in style has enabled the machine manufacturers to develop shirt presses that will fit the majority of men's business shirts. The classic men's business shirt is called a Pin Point Oxford and has the common features in the diagram below…
Most models of shirt machines are limited in the range of sizes that will fit on them. The standard range is medium through extra large. Shirts outside of this range, i.e. small and double X shirts, require extra hand finishing. A shirt that doesn't fit on these machines is typically charged the same price as a women's blouse. There is a women's version of the Pin Point Oxford business shirt, but they rarely fit on the machines. If a women's shirt will fit on the machines, the cleaner should charge her the same price as they charge for a men's business shirt.
The biggest production cost for a cleaner is their labor expense, the money they pay their employees. Most of their labor goes into the "finishing" of a garment. Finishing is a combination of machine pressing and hand ironing. Most garments require a combination of machine pressing and hand ironing to achieve the desired finish. Many cleaners have special "assembly line style" machines that can finish the typical men's business shirts without any hand ironing. These machines greatly reduce the time and labor needed to finish a shirt compared to a women's blouse which sometimes requires as much as 100% hand ironing to achieve the proper finish. Depending on their equipment and the skill of the presser, most cleaners can finish three to four men's business shirts in the same time it takes to finish one women's blouse.
You may be thinking, why not make similar machines for finishing women's blouses? Well, I'm sure they would if they could. The problem is that women's blouses come in an extremely wide variety and combination of different patterns, fabric types, trims and ornamentation. Plus, these variations can change dramatically from season to season with the latest changes in fashion. This prevents the machine manufacturers from developing presses that will fit the majority of women's blouses. Where as men's shirts have basically looked exactly the same for more than 100 years and they're almost always made of 100% cotton or a cotton/poly blend. This stability in style has enabled the machine manufacturers to develop shirt presses that will fit the majority of men's business shirts. The classic men's business shirt is called a Pin Point Oxford and has the common features in the diagram below…
Most models of shirt machines are limited in the range of sizes that will fit on them. The standard range is medium through extra large. Shirts outside of this range, i.e. small and double X shirts, require extra hand finishing. A shirt that doesn't fit on these machines is typically charged the same price as a women's blouse. There is a women's version of the Pin Point Oxford business shirt, but they rarely fit on the machines. If a women's shirt will fit on the machines, the cleaner should charge her the same price as they charge for a men's business shirt.
2015年9月24日 星期四
Picking Out Your Electric Scooters
Electric scooters have substituted the necessity of engine scooters in a large way. In the present time electric scooters have become equally popular among the kids as well as among the adults. This is a good alternative of conventional scooters and is a very cost effective solution. And the most important reason behind such a massive popularity of these scooters is its eco-friendly functionality. Since electric motor scooters are run by battery and there is no need to fuel or gas consumption, it doesn’t produce any smoke or sound. This is how it maintains the equilibrium of the eco-system.
Another very positive fact about these scooters is the easy maintenance solution. Electric scooters require very low maintenance. You don't need to change the engine oil, don’t need to fill up the fuel tank, you don’t need to visit service center at a regular interval, it is very easy to maintain. You just need to charge the battery on a daily basis for a period of around 6 to 8 hours. And with this amount of charge, you can travel up to 30 to 35 miles. And the speed is also enough. Users can enjoy a highest speed of 30 miles per hour which is pretty decent.
Different models of electric scooters are now available in the market. And these models are mainly designed keeping in mind the age of the users. The power of the engine varies largely with the scooters. It starts with 100w engine and there are engines which are as powerful as 1600w or 2000w. Obviously, high power engines are for adults. Most adults will choose 4000w electric scooter. There are options for kids ageing 4 to 6 years and there are options for adults. This scooter is for all. And now anybody can buy electric scooters from online. There are numerous online electric scooter suppliers who offer these scooters through their online shop. You just need to choose your model and make the payment. Your scooter will be delivered at your house.
At lifestyle Mobility they aim to please and assist people who at other times would not be able to move freely or enjoy a life that was independent. This comes from the fact that they sell electric scooters that will help assist people to get about and to be able to do every day things, they may not otherwise be able to do. At least not without the help of another person.
Another very positive fact about these scooters is the easy maintenance solution. Electric scooters require very low maintenance. You don't need to change the engine oil, don’t need to fill up the fuel tank, you don’t need to visit service center at a regular interval, it is very easy to maintain. You just need to charge the battery on a daily basis for a period of around 6 to 8 hours. And with this amount of charge, you can travel up to 30 to 35 miles. And the speed is also enough. Users can enjoy a highest speed of 30 miles per hour which is pretty decent.
Different models of electric scooters are now available in the market. And these models are mainly designed keeping in mind the age of the users. The power of the engine varies largely with the scooters. It starts with 100w engine and there are engines which are as powerful as 1600w or 2000w. Obviously, high power engines are for adults. Most adults will choose 4000w electric scooter. There are options for kids ageing 4 to 6 years and there are options for adults. This scooter is for all. And now anybody can buy electric scooters from online. There are numerous online electric scooter suppliers who offer these scooters through their online shop. You just need to choose your model and make the payment. Your scooter will be delivered at your house.
At lifestyle Mobility they aim to please and assist people who at other times would not be able to move freely or enjoy a life that was independent. This comes from the fact that they sell electric scooters that will help assist people to get about and to be able to do every day things, they may not otherwise be able to do. At least not without the help of another person.
2015年9月20日 星期日
Document Legalization: Jurisdictional Issues
Three Key Questions to Ask Before Getting Started on a Legalization Project
Where is the document from?
Where will the document be used?
What type of document is it?
The answers to these questions can have a significant impact on how to proceed. Below are a few examples of how to approach a legalization project based on whether the originating and destination countries have signed onto the Hague Convention on Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents.
Example 1: You need to use documents from Japan (Hague party country) in the U.S. (Hague party country) and in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) (non-Hague party country). What you need: Japanese apostille for U.S. and Japanese authentication with UAE legalization for UAE.
Example 2: You need to use documents from China (non-Hague party country) in the U.S. (Hague party country) and in Brazil (non-Hague party country). What you need: Chinese authentication with legalization at U.S. and Brazilian embassy/consulate inChina.
The type of document, in certain circumstances, can be very important. Sometimes documents such as passports, educational or personal documents must be sent to one consular office, while commercial documents must be sent to another. Certain consular offices may refuse to legalize certain document types altogether, but their sister offices may accept them. Different types of documents may also require different procedures (such as Algeria only requiring translations for a Power of Attorney) or different fees (such as a fee of $30 for Good Standings, and a fee of $600 for most other corporate documents at the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates). And for many Arab countries, commercial invoices require an additional step of certification by the National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce.
Procedures Can Vary Greatly Between Consular Offices for Same Country
Sometimes, the regions covered by different consular offices for a particular country overlap. In these situations, it is usually best to determine if there will be a benefit in working with one office over another. For example, when legalizing a document, some consular offices require only that a document be notarized due to the fact that the notary is registered within a specific territory. Conversely, sometimes it is necessary to have a document notarized, certified by a county clerk, authenticated by a Secretary of State, authenticated by the U.S. Department of State and even certified by a trade group before it can be legalized by the consulate. In some cases, going to one consular office versus another can make a big difference in terms of turnaround time, level of complexity and the cost associated with these projects.
Getting Accurate Information Can Be a Challenge
Most embassies/consulates post their jurisdictional policies and procedures online. The information on these websites, however, is often out of date and inaccurate. In some cases, the websites are not even in English. We have even seen one example of an embassy website containing a scam because it was set up to be editable by the general public, like a “wiki” site, but postings have clearly not been monitored.
There are also books published on the subject of document legalization/authentication, but due to frequent changes in policies and procedures, these are often outdated, even with annual publishing. (It is not unusual for embassies in Washington, D.C., for example, to change their rules on jurisdictional policy more than once a year.)
The bottom line is that if you are going to handle any legalization project, answer the three questions listed above and then start digging. Realize that the rules and procedures change all the time so you can’t assume something will be handled the same exact way as in the past. By doing your “homework” or working with a service company that is experienced in document legalization, you can help to minimize or eliminate delays and frustration.
Where is the document from?
Where will the document be used?
What type of document is it?
The answers to these questions can have a significant impact on how to proceed. Below are a few examples of how to approach a legalization project based on whether the originating and destination countries have signed onto the Hague Convention on Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents.
Example 1: You need to use documents from Japan (Hague party country) in the U.S. (Hague party country) and in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) (non-Hague party country). What you need: Japanese apostille for U.S. and Japanese authentication with UAE legalization for UAE.
Example 2: You need to use documents from China (non-Hague party country) in the U.S. (Hague party country) and in Brazil (non-Hague party country). What you need: Chinese authentication with legalization at U.S. and Brazilian embassy/consulate inChina.
The type of document, in certain circumstances, can be very important. Sometimes documents such as passports, educational or personal documents must be sent to one consular office, while commercial documents must be sent to another. Certain consular offices may refuse to legalize certain document types altogether, but their sister offices may accept them. Different types of documents may also require different procedures (such as Algeria only requiring translations for a Power of Attorney) or different fees (such as a fee of $30 for Good Standings, and a fee of $600 for most other corporate documents at the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates). And for many Arab countries, commercial invoices require an additional step of certification by the National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce.
Procedures Can Vary Greatly Between Consular Offices for Same Country
Sometimes, the regions covered by different consular offices for a particular country overlap. In these situations, it is usually best to determine if there will be a benefit in working with one office over another. For example, when legalizing a document, some consular offices require only that a document be notarized due to the fact that the notary is registered within a specific territory. Conversely, sometimes it is necessary to have a document notarized, certified by a county clerk, authenticated by a Secretary of State, authenticated by the U.S. Department of State and even certified by a trade group before it can be legalized by the consulate. In some cases, going to one consular office versus another can make a big difference in terms of turnaround time, level of complexity and the cost associated with these projects.
Getting Accurate Information Can Be a Challenge
Most embassies/consulates post their jurisdictional policies and procedures online. The information on these websites, however, is often out of date and inaccurate. In some cases, the websites are not even in English. We have even seen one example of an embassy website containing a scam because it was set up to be editable by the general public, like a “wiki” site, but postings have clearly not been monitored.
There are also books published on the subject of document legalization/authentication, but due to frequent changes in policies and procedures, these are often outdated, even with annual publishing. (It is not unusual for embassies in Washington, D.C., for example, to change their rules on jurisdictional policy more than once a year.)
The bottom line is that if you are going to handle any legalization project, answer the three questions listed above and then start digging. Realize that the rules and procedures change all the time so you can’t assume something will be handled the same exact way as in the past. By doing your “homework” or working with a service company that is experienced in document legalization, you can help to minimize or eliminate delays and frustration.
2015年9月14日 星期一
Price of segway scooter
Ever since the Segway came out, it has been the subject of many geeky lunchtime conversations. They were always just too cool.
Now I'm actually considering buying one. I would mostly use it to get back and forth to work. I live only 1.5 miles away, but it takes too long to walk and it seems silly to drive. Today I tried biking to work. It took only a little longer to bike (10 minutes) vs driving (7 minutes) so time is not a consideration.
What I don't like about the bike is that it's just slightly too large of a vehicle. You need to store it somewhere at either end. You're not supposed to ride on the sidewalk, but it's way too scary to ride in the lanes crossing the "intersection of death" at 101, 237 & Mathlilda. I'm also not looking forward to the day when I get a flat tire. With a Segway, I'd be able to legally and justifibly ride on the sidewalk.
The new Segways just came out and they have some cool new stuff. For one, you turn by leaning, just like you accelerated and decelerated before by leaning. I found the twisting of the grip unintuitive when I rode one a few years ago. It has a new wireless key device and a security alarm.
It certainly wouldn't save me money vs. driving. A Segway scooter price is over $5,000. If I drive 3 miles a day and pay $3.00/gallon, I'll save approximately $100 in gas plus whatever 675 miles is in terms of maintenance over a year. It's better for the environment I suppose, but then again, I'm not sure 3 miles is going to make a difference over people driving in each day from San Francisco.
Neither a bike nor Segway would be great in the rain. The Segway would probably be better in cold and hot weather. I'd be going slower in cold weather, so there's be less of a wind chill, and in hot weather I wouldn't work up a sweat.
South Bay Segway in Campbell offers 2.5 hour tours of the Los Gatos Creek trail for $75. I'm thinking about taking one of those to see if I like it. Anne thinks it might be enough time to "get it out of my system". Perhaps.
It might just be too geeky, even in Silicon Valley. I'm not sure I want to be known as "the Segway Guy" at work or deal with people who want rides all the time. Still, I think the technology is damn cool, and I lust for cool technology. That coolness always wears off after a while though and you're left with the practicalities of if and how it improves your life.
Would a Segway improve my life by $5,000 worth? Would something else that costs $5,000 make me happier? I don't know. Do you?
Now I'm actually considering buying one. I would mostly use it to get back and forth to work. I live only 1.5 miles away, but it takes too long to walk and it seems silly to drive. Today I tried biking to work. It took only a little longer to bike (10 minutes) vs driving (7 minutes) so time is not a consideration.
What I don't like about the bike is that it's just slightly too large of a vehicle. You need to store it somewhere at either end. You're not supposed to ride on the sidewalk, but it's way too scary to ride in the lanes crossing the "intersection of death" at 101, 237 & Mathlilda. I'm also not looking forward to the day when I get a flat tire. With a Segway, I'd be able to legally and justifibly ride on the sidewalk.
The new Segways just came out and they have some cool new stuff. For one, you turn by leaning, just like you accelerated and decelerated before by leaning. I found the twisting of the grip unintuitive when I rode one a few years ago. It has a new wireless key device and a security alarm.
It certainly wouldn't save me money vs. driving. A Segway scooter price is over $5,000. If I drive 3 miles a day and pay $3.00/gallon, I'll save approximately $100 in gas plus whatever 675 miles is in terms of maintenance over a year. It's better for the environment I suppose, but then again, I'm not sure 3 miles is going to make a difference over people driving in each day from San Francisco.
Neither a bike nor Segway would be great in the rain. The Segway would probably be better in cold and hot weather. I'd be going slower in cold weather, so there's be less of a wind chill, and in hot weather I wouldn't work up a sweat.
South Bay Segway in Campbell offers 2.5 hour tours of the Los Gatos Creek trail for $75. I'm thinking about taking one of those to see if I like it. Anne thinks it might be enough time to "get it out of my system". Perhaps.
It might just be too geeky, even in Silicon Valley. I'm not sure I want to be known as "the Segway Guy" at work or deal with people who want rides all the time. Still, I think the technology is damn cool, and I lust for cool technology. That coolness always wears off after a while though and you're left with the practicalities of if and how it improves your life.
Would a Segway improve my life by $5,000 worth? Would something else that costs $5,000 make me happier? I don't know. Do you?
2015年9月9日 星期三
Tips to Choose a Good Taobao Agent
We will review how to choose a good reliable Taobao agent, what is the best Taobao agent shopping and buying service, international shipping, commission, and many other points right now in this blog post.
Whether you have already bought from Taobao with a Taobao agent or you are preparing to place your first order and wondering if you can trust this Taobao agent, here we go with some ideas:
First, make a list of available Taobao agents you have already found through Google (or your preferred search engine) and forums about shopping or buying from China. Then, check for agent’s information, terms and conditions about payment and delivery, in the way to get a clearer picture of what it would cost you to buy from Taobao.com (and if it is worth it at all). Remember: not all items are that cheap on Taobao and not every Taobao agent provides that low commission fees for their service. So after this different comparison, make an estimation of your purchase. If the agent offers you the possibility to look for Taobao items on your behalf, give it a try, probably they can suggest you the products with a good value for money. For example, a good Taobao agent may consider the quality of the product, the price and the seller reputation. When the agent estimates that this would create a good value for you, then you should be immediately informed about the chosen item.
Second, if you are not sure about which Taobao agent to choose, try to contact each with the same request of information and wait for replies. In this way, you can estimate how reactive the agent is, as well as the quality of reply (if it answers to your question in satisfied way): understandable English, clear answer to your question… Consider also, if your own language is available for this service, normally that would make communication easy and fast.
Third, one of the most important points while buying from Taobao is international shipping fees. You might be wondering what is so special about international shipping fees. But if you buy from Taobao several items and you want a fast delivery to Europe, Northern America, Australia or even Singapore, the price is based on the weight of each 500g. So before buying the items, you should estimate the total weight of parcel and the corresponding fees. Taobao agent should give you an estimation, because it is always possible to ask the item weight from the seller. Also before international shipping, a good Taobao agent should suggest you the best way to deliver your items: it includes the choice of shipping / delivery company, optimizing the parcel weight and customs advise. You should remember that no any Taobao agent is responsible for customs clearance (if required) of the products you buy from Taobao. It should be possible to declare the shipping as non-commercial. Another fact is that most Taobao agents offer very attractive international shipping fees, sometimes going up to 70% discount. Yes, sometimes it happens, but be prepared to wait for quite a long time to get your parcel. Optimal range for a discount is 30-60%, depending on the items you want to buy.
The above are three most important elements to go through before start buying from Taobao.com. Now let’s check for more individual points about Taobao agents.
It is rather personal appreciation: check the quality of information which is present in the offer on agent’s website. This is not a rule, but often a quality information attracts more people and the conversion rate is considerably higher than for websites with poor information.
Taobao agent should be able to write and read a correct English. This is the minimum. If you have difficulties with English and Taobao agent is not clear in writing in English, then there is a great chance of misunderstanding. Probably, if English is not easy for you, try to find the agent speaking your own language first.
We will think about other points to add in the future, but it seems that it is already quite complete information to start your Taobao shopping. If you have any questions or suggestions about Taobao agents, buying from Taobao.com or other information, feel free to contact us or leave a comment.
Whether you have already bought from Taobao with a Taobao agent or you are preparing to place your first order and wondering if you can trust this Taobao agent, here we go with some ideas:
First, make a list of available Taobao agents you have already found through Google (or your preferred search engine) and forums about shopping or buying from China. Then, check for agent’s information, terms and conditions about payment and delivery, in the way to get a clearer picture of what it would cost you to buy from Taobao.com (and if it is worth it at all). Remember: not all items are that cheap on Taobao and not every Taobao agent provides that low commission fees for their service. So after this different comparison, make an estimation of your purchase. If the agent offers you the possibility to look for Taobao items on your behalf, give it a try, probably they can suggest you the products with a good value for money. For example, a good Taobao agent may consider the quality of the product, the price and the seller reputation. When the agent estimates that this would create a good value for you, then you should be immediately informed about the chosen item.
Second, if you are not sure about which Taobao agent to choose, try to contact each with the same request of information and wait for replies. In this way, you can estimate how reactive the agent is, as well as the quality of reply (if it answers to your question in satisfied way): understandable English, clear answer to your question… Consider also, if your own language is available for this service, normally that would make communication easy and fast.
Third, one of the most important points while buying from Taobao is international shipping fees. You might be wondering what is so special about international shipping fees. But if you buy from Taobao several items and you want a fast delivery to Europe, Northern America, Australia or even Singapore, the price is based on the weight of each 500g. So before buying the items, you should estimate the total weight of parcel and the corresponding fees. Taobao agent should give you an estimation, because it is always possible to ask the item weight from the seller. Also before international shipping, a good Taobao agent should suggest you the best way to deliver your items: it includes the choice of shipping / delivery company, optimizing the parcel weight and customs advise. You should remember that no any Taobao agent is responsible for customs clearance (if required) of the products you buy from Taobao. It should be possible to declare the shipping as non-commercial. Another fact is that most Taobao agents offer very attractive international shipping fees, sometimes going up to 70% discount. Yes, sometimes it happens, but be prepared to wait for quite a long time to get your parcel. Optimal range for a discount is 30-60%, depending on the items you want to buy.
The above are three most important elements to go through before start buying from Taobao.com. Now let’s check for more individual points about Taobao agents.
It is rather personal appreciation: check the quality of information which is present in the offer on agent’s website. This is not a rule, but often a quality information attracts more people and the conversion rate is considerably higher than for websites with poor information.
Taobao agent should be able to write and read a correct English. This is the minimum. If you have difficulties with English and Taobao agent is not clear in writing in English, then there is a great chance of misunderstanding. Probably, if English is not easy for you, try to find the agent speaking your own language first.
We will think about other points to add in the future, but it seems that it is already quite complete information to start your Taobao shopping. If you have any questions or suggestions about Taobao agents, buying from Taobao.com or other information, feel free to contact us or leave a comment.
2015年9月6日 星期日
China Credit Crunch Reveals Greater C2FO Opportunity
The New Yorker's recent article, "The Gift of Doubt, Albert O. Hirschman and the power of failure," by Malcolm Gladwell, inspires thoughts on the current business challenges in China. The article delves into the economic philosophy of the late economist Albert Hirschman, whose work examined whether ignorance impedes or is a precondition to progress. Hirschman's study of a thirty-two year odyssey in railroad construction led to his belief that creativity is borne of necessity rather than desire.
The article describes that during the mid-nineteenth century, a five-mile mass called the Hoosac Mountain blocked passage between the Deerfield Valley and a tributary of the Hudson, posing a significant challenge to railroad builders. Beset by miscalculations, political roadblocks and inefficient drilling methods, construction of the Hoosac Tunnel would eventually exceed its budget tenfold. Had they fully grasped the situation at the outset, the funders would never have undertaken this Herculean task. However, once engaged, the imperative of success spawned creative thinking and ingenuity that led to completion of the longest U.S. railroad at the time, contributing to the overall rapid industrial growth of the country.
According to Hirschman, "the only way in which we can bring our creative resources fully into play is by misjudging the nature of the task, by presenting it to ourselves as more routine, simple, undemanding of genuine creativity than it will turn out to be."
In the case of the China credit crunch, such ignorance has led to an economic system that is broken. The situation of unregulated shadow banking, combined with higher borrowing rates and the inability for many companies to obtain funding, has created a macroeconomic crisis condition where new thinking is required. It is the equivalent of being mid-way through the mountain before realizing the tools at-hand will not complete the task. It is an opportunity for the C2FO Market to provide a transformative solution.
The credit crisis in China has created an imperative for SMB and global Fortune 1000 companies to think more creatively about achieving cash flow efficiency, without resorting to shadow banking, factoring, and supply chain financing. Constant static and "less-than dynamic" discounting methods are not economic tools of the modern age.
Instead of borrowing the same money at increasingly higher rates, or being restricted to limited accounts receivable advance rates and excessive fees, C2FO provides an open market system that gives all businesses the opportunity to access their cash from their customers in a more efficient manner. This means lower cost, less friction and more flexibility. C2FO is the economic trans-continental railroad of our time and a tipping point for China's businesses to transform their financial system. C2FO is working capital made easy.
The article describes that during the mid-nineteenth century, a five-mile mass called the Hoosac Mountain blocked passage between the Deerfield Valley and a tributary of the Hudson, posing a significant challenge to railroad builders. Beset by miscalculations, political roadblocks and inefficient drilling methods, construction of the Hoosac Tunnel would eventually exceed its budget tenfold. Had they fully grasped the situation at the outset, the funders would never have undertaken this Herculean task. However, once engaged, the imperative of success spawned creative thinking and ingenuity that led to completion of the longest U.S. railroad at the time, contributing to the overall rapid industrial growth of the country.
According to Hirschman, "the only way in which we can bring our creative resources fully into play is by misjudging the nature of the task, by presenting it to ourselves as more routine, simple, undemanding of genuine creativity than it will turn out to be."
In the case of the China credit crunch, such ignorance has led to an economic system that is broken. The situation of unregulated shadow banking, combined with higher borrowing rates and the inability for many companies to obtain funding, has created a macroeconomic crisis condition where new thinking is required. It is the equivalent of being mid-way through the mountain before realizing the tools at-hand will not complete the task. It is an opportunity for the C2FO Market to provide a transformative solution.
The credit crisis in China has created an imperative for SMB and global Fortune 1000 companies to think more creatively about achieving cash flow efficiency, without resorting to shadow banking, factoring, and supply chain financing. Constant static and "less-than dynamic" discounting methods are not economic tools of the modern age.
Instead of borrowing the same money at increasingly higher rates, or being restricted to limited accounts receivable advance rates and excessive fees, C2FO provides an open market system that gives all businesses the opportunity to access their cash from their customers in a more efficient manner. This means lower cost, less friction and more flexibility. C2FO is the economic trans-continental railroad of our time and a tipping point for China's businesses to transform their financial system. C2FO is working capital made easy.
2015年8月26日 星期三
Managing your business' risk
Running a small business in South Africa can be a difficult thing with so many different types of risk out there.
While some of these potential hazards can complicate things, Santam understands that the more a business owner knows the better for his or her business.
At Santam we understand that the world of risks can be confusing. That is why we've identified some of forms of risk facing South African small businesses specifically as well as some practical tips to help you manage those risks.
How to manage your business' physical risk
Buildings (or your business premises) often constitute the most common type of physical risk. According to Santam's claims records over the past three years, claims as a result of wind, fire water, hail and snow damage are the most common types of claims for businesses.
As a business owner, you can manage physical risk properly by ensuring that the gutters on your premises has been cleaned (especially in winter) and that hazardous materials (such as acid, gas, flammable or poisonous materials) are stored far away from areas where it could cause damage. You can also make sure that your employees receive adequate training to handle these materials properly.
How to manage risks related to your business' location
It's always a good idea to know exactly what risks your business faces as a result of its location. You can make china company verification online if you need.
If, for example, your business is located in an area where a number of buildings have been erected in a flood-plain, you must consider the risk associated with it and ensure you get the appropriate insurance cover for your business.
Enforcing the safety of your business premises by ensuring you have proper railings, slip-proof floors, an alarm and other anti-crime measures, can help reduce your business insurance premium, regardless of where you are located.
Some technological risks to consider
According to Santam's audit and forensics team, technological risks are becoming the common cold of today's business world. Technological risks can include anything from losing your customer data to data fraud and theft of information.
As a business owner, you have a responsibility to protect your business' technology infrastructure as well your clients' contact details and personal information. You can ensure that you have a back-up of all your computerised information by making sure your employees have been trained to back up your business' data on a separate device such as a CD, DVD or hard drive.
If, for example you lost internet access for the day, would your business grind to a halt? Make sure you have an information technology specialist on standby to assist you in the event of temporary setbacks like these.
While risk is always going to be a factor in your life as a business owner, being aware of the risks facing your business can go a long way in helping you to protect your livelihood. We hope that these practical tips will help you as a business owner reduce your exposure and minimize the impact of unforeseen events.
While some of these potential hazards can complicate things, Santam understands that the more a business owner knows the better for his or her business.
At Santam we understand that the world of risks can be confusing. That is why we've identified some of forms of risk facing South African small businesses specifically as well as some practical tips to help you manage those risks.
How to manage your business' physical risk
Buildings (or your business premises) often constitute the most common type of physical risk. According to Santam's claims records over the past three years, claims as a result of wind, fire water, hail and snow damage are the most common types of claims for businesses.
As a business owner, you can manage physical risk properly by ensuring that the gutters on your premises has been cleaned (especially in winter) and that hazardous materials (such as acid, gas, flammable or poisonous materials) are stored far away from areas where it could cause damage. You can also make sure that your employees receive adequate training to handle these materials properly.
How to manage risks related to your business' location
It's always a good idea to know exactly what risks your business faces as a result of its location. You can make china company verification online if you need.
If, for example, your business is located in an area where a number of buildings have been erected in a flood-plain, you must consider the risk associated with it and ensure you get the appropriate insurance cover for your business.
Enforcing the safety of your business premises by ensuring you have proper railings, slip-proof floors, an alarm and other anti-crime measures, can help reduce your business insurance premium, regardless of where you are located.
Some technological risks to consider
According to Santam's audit and forensics team, technological risks are becoming the common cold of today's business world. Technological risks can include anything from losing your customer data to data fraud and theft of information.
As a business owner, you have a responsibility to protect your business' technology infrastructure as well your clients' contact details and personal information. You can ensure that you have a back-up of all your computerised information by making sure your employees have been trained to back up your business' data on a separate device such as a CD, DVD or hard drive.
If, for example you lost internet access for the day, would your business grind to a halt? Make sure you have an information technology specialist on standby to assist you in the event of temporary setbacks like these.
While risk is always going to be a factor in your life as a business owner, being aware of the risks facing your business can go a long way in helping you to protect your livelihood. We hope that these practical tips will help you as a business owner reduce your exposure and minimize the impact of unforeseen events.
2015年8月20日 星期四
Verify and evaluate suppliers in China!
In an earlier video, we talked about how to narrow down a list of potential suppliers to a select group of highly qualified candidates.
Now go ahead and contact this short list. This starts the RFQ (request for quotation) phase. The feedback from this initial contact should allow you to further narrow down the list to the top 2 or 3 based on pricing and non-price attributes.
The next step is to validate if the suppliers are legit. In my opinion there are two essential types of verification.
Type One is the Factory Audit. This is to verify that the supplier has a quality control system in place and they have the production experience to supply you with the goods they say they can make for you.
Type Two is an Operational Audit or Due Diligence. This is to confirm that the supplier has a good reputation and is financially strong enough to stay in business long enough to complete your order. In other words, they are not likely to disappear with your initial payment.
There are professional service providers available who conduct these types of verification at very reasonable prices. I highly recommend you engage professional support if you don't have the skill set in-house to audit factories in China on your own. Contact me and I would be happy to recommend the 3rd parties I use for verification. But for your reference, here are some other tools you can use on your own or in conjunction with those 3rd parties.
It doesn't cost you anything to ask for references. If a supplier can't give you a few happy clients to visit with…this is a big red flag.
Confirm that you have the right to visit the production line and check on your order. If they come up with a bunch of excuses why you can't visit, it either means they don't have the ability to produce your product and are scared that you won't like what you see if you visit or it could be as simple as that they are a trading company and worried you will cut them out of the supply chain once you realize they provide little value. Speaking of trading companies, sometimes, especially if your order is small, it makes sense to use them, but I hate trading companies that say they are the factory when really they are just brokers.
Ask to see the suppliers Quality Control Manual. If they don't have an ISO compliant, written quality management system…run away. If you want to see what a Product Quality Manual looks like, you can check out china company verification at the link below:http://www.cnbizsearch.com/search/cc/
Having verified that your suppliers are legit, the next step, and our next video, deals with negotiating the price and then moving into production.On that note, as always, I sign off-wishing you successful sourcing in China! And if you found the information in this video useful, consider returning the favor: subscribe to my YouTube channel, hit the "like it" button and post some comments. Or check out my blogs and monthly newsletter. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out via Linkedin, find me at the China Sourcing Academy or visit my company's website.
Now go ahead and contact this short list. This starts the RFQ (request for quotation) phase. The feedback from this initial contact should allow you to further narrow down the list to the top 2 or 3 based on pricing and non-price attributes.
The next step is to validate if the suppliers are legit. In my opinion there are two essential types of verification.
Type One is the Factory Audit. This is to verify that the supplier has a quality control system in place and they have the production experience to supply you with the goods they say they can make for you.
Type Two is an Operational Audit or Due Diligence. This is to confirm that the supplier has a good reputation and is financially strong enough to stay in business long enough to complete your order. In other words, they are not likely to disappear with your initial payment.
There are professional service providers available who conduct these types of verification at very reasonable prices. I highly recommend you engage professional support if you don't have the skill set in-house to audit factories in China on your own. Contact me and I would be happy to recommend the 3rd parties I use for verification. But for your reference, here are some other tools you can use on your own or in conjunction with those 3rd parties.
It doesn't cost you anything to ask for references. If a supplier can't give you a few happy clients to visit with…this is a big red flag.
Confirm that you have the right to visit the production line and check on your order. If they come up with a bunch of excuses why you can't visit, it either means they don't have the ability to produce your product and are scared that you won't like what you see if you visit or it could be as simple as that they are a trading company and worried you will cut them out of the supply chain once you realize they provide little value. Speaking of trading companies, sometimes, especially if your order is small, it makes sense to use them, but I hate trading companies that say they are the factory when really they are just brokers.
Ask to see the suppliers Quality Control Manual. If they don't have an ISO compliant, written quality management system…run away. If you want to see what a Product Quality Manual looks like, you can check out china company verification at the link below:http://www.cnbizsearch.com/search/cc/
Having verified that your suppliers are legit, the next step, and our next video, deals with negotiating the price and then moving into production.On that note, as always, I sign off-wishing you successful sourcing in China! And if you found the information in this video useful, consider returning the favor: subscribe to my YouTube channel, hit the "like it" button and post some comments. Or check out my blogs and monthly newsletter. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out via Linkedin, find me at the China Sourcing Academy or visit my company's website.
2015年8月12日 星期三
Credit risk in China
Credit risk in China means the country will find it very hard to grow. Global credit ratings agency Fitch Ratings has warned that the extent of china credit could make it very difficult for the country to grow its way out of excesses as it has in the past. The comments suggest tougher times ahead, which could impact on businesses.
Over the last decade China has grown at an impressive rate making it an attractive prospect for firms worldwide. However, the report from Fitch Ratings found that the ratio of credit to GDP now stands at 200 per cent, leading to the agency predicting muted growth.
Speaking to the Telegraph, Charlene Chu, Fitch Rating's senior director in Beijing, said, "The credit-driven growth model is clearly falling apart. This could feed into a massive over-capacity problem, and potentially into a Japanese-style deflation.
"There is no transparency in the shadow banking system, and systemic risk is rising. We have no idea who the borrowers are, who the lenders are, and what the quality of assets is, and this undermines signalling."
China's credit bubble could affect British businesses operating in the region. Ensuring that suppliers and customers are regularly checked for stability and creditworthiness is key for maintaining a strong supply chain.
Graydon's International Credit Risk Assessment Monitoring services enables businesses to keep up to date with trading partners'current situations. The latest credit information is automatically added to a client’s database allowing them to monitor critical events and rating changes. Additionally, email alerts are sent the second new occurs so businesses can rest assured they will be well informed should risk emerge.
Many UK businesses have offset European losses due to increasing demand in China and other fast-growth nations but it is vital for them to remain cautious and alert for changing market conditions.
Over the last decade China has grown at an impressive rate making it an attractive prospect for firms worldwide. However, the report from Fitch Ratings found that the ratio of credit to GDP now stands at 200 per cent, leading to the agency predicting muted growth.
Speaking to the Telegraph, Charlene Chu, Fitch Rating's senior director in Beijing, said, "The credit-driven growth model is clearly falling apart. This could feed into a massive over-capacity problem, and potentially into a Japanese-style deflation.
"There is no transparency in the shadow banking system, and systemic risk is rising. We have no idea who the borrowers are, who the lenders are, and what the quality of assets is, and this undermines signalling."
China's credit bubble could affect British businesses operating in the region. Ensuring that suppliers and customers are regularly checked for stability and creditworthiness is key for maintaining a strong supply chain.
Graydon's International Credit Risk Assessment Monitoring services enables businesses to keep up to date with trading partners'current situations. The latest credit information is automatically added to a client’s database allowing them to monitor critical events and rating changes. Additionally, email alerts are sent the second new occurs so businesses can rest assured they will be well informed should risk emerge.
Many UK businesses have offset European losses due to increasing demand in China and other fast-growth nations but it is vital for them to remain cautious and alert for changing market conditions.
2015年8月4日 星期二
Electric scooter china
Looking for an electric scooter in china? Apart from the obvious size of an electric scooter vs. electric bike, did you know that there are big differences between these two travel devices?
Electric scooter china. Let us break it down for you. Electric scooters are not allowed on city bike paths. On average, electric scooters weigh more than 200 lbs, while electric bikes are between 40 lbs – 55 lbs depending on the brand and battery size. This might not seem like a big deal to you, but also consider this. Say you travel 30 km away from your home and murphy's law hits and your electric scooter battery goes dead. Now what? You can't pedal an electric scooter home. In fact, you'd be hard pressed to pedal it to the end of the street. Pedals are installed as a technicality so the manufacturer can have his electric scooter skirt around the "electric bike" bylaws. Don't believe us?
Ask any e scooter china manufacturer why do they include pedals when you can't pedal their electric scooter any distance, let alone back to your home. Electric bikes on the other hand are very different. If the battery goes dead for whatever reason, you'll be able to pedal home, just like a regular bike. Electric bikes are really a three-in-one bike: you can pedal them like a regular bike, or have assisted pedal power or just turn the throttle and go, without any pedaling. Also, were you aware that the majority of electric scooters have batteries that are very hard to remove and recharge inside your house or garage? Yup. You'll likely end up running an extension cord to juice up the electric scooter nightly. Electric bikes on the other hand have portable batteries that can be easily removed and carried into your residence with one hand. Simply plug the battery in and 4-6 hours later, it's fully recharged and ready to go!
Interested in trying an electric bike for a day? We think like the rest of people that have tried an electric bike for a day, we think you'll be pleasantly surprised too and discover a new thrill of excitement for an electric bike vs. an electric scooter.
Electric scooter china. Let us break it down for you. Electric scooters are not allowed on city bike paths. On average, electric scooters weigh more than 200 lbs, while electric bikes are between 40 lbs – 55 lbs depending on the brand and battery size. This might not seem like a big deal to you, but also consider this. Say you travel 30 km away from your home and murphy's law hits and your electric scooter battery goes dead. Now what? You can't pedal an electric scooter home. In fact, you'd be hard pressed to pedal it to the end of the street. Pedals are installed as a technicality so the manufacturer can have his electric scooter skirt around the "electric bike" bylaws. Don't believe us?
Ask any e scooter china manufacturer why do they include pedals when you can't pedal their electric scooter any distance, let alone back to your home. Electric bikes on the other hand are very different. If the battery goes dead for whatever reason, you'll be able to pedal home, just like a regular bike. Electric bikes are really a three-in-one bike: you can pedal them like a regular bike, or have assisted pedal power or just turn the throttle and go, without any pedaling. Also, were you aware that the majority of electric scooters have batteries that are very hard to remove and recharge inside your house or garage? Yup. You'll likely end up running an extension cord to juice up the electric scooter nightly. Electric bikes on the other hand have portable batteries that can be easily removed and carried into your residence with one hand. Simply plug the battery in and 4-6 hours later, it's fully recharged and ready to go!
Interested in trying an electric bike for a day? We think like the rest of people that have tried an electric bike for a day, we think you'll be pleasantly surprised too and discover a new thrill of excitement for an electric bike vs. an electric scooter.
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