The customer is God, but you have to learn how to argue with Him! Here are 12 essential lessons from a seasoned foreign trade manager: Lesson One: When you first enter the foreign trade industry, especially if you're eager to close your own deals quickly, it's easy to make mistakes and even get scammed. This often happens because of unfamiliarity with the product and lack of knowledge about the trade process. Many newcomers are taken advantage of when dealing with customers who know how to exploit their inexperience. One of my friends started with cement as his first product. The customer was based in the Philippines, and everything seemed perfect—reasonable price, good communication. However, at the time, cement wasn't in high demand, so this opportunity was rare. The customer didn’t understand the product’s characteristics and suggested using a letter of credit for spot payment. My friend agreed. But once the goods arrived at the port, the customer intentionally delayed taking the bill of lading. Meanwhile, the quality label on the cement was altered without notice. Eventually, the customer asked for a price reduction, and my friend had no choice but to accept. Always think twice before making decisions—especially when dealing with new clients. Lesson Two: Never compromise your bottom line. I once had a colleague who had been in business with a client for nearly a decade. Their relationship was strong, and they had a good understanding of each other’s creditworthiness. But things changed. He signed a contract to export tools, with a payment method of TT 30% upfront and the remaining balance paid within 10 days after the bill of lading was released. Since the customer was from Southeast Asia, the goods would arrive in Hong Kong soon. Then the customer said he was in the U.S. and couldn’t pay directly, asking our colleague to send the original bill of lading to him. Because he had done this before, he took the risk again. Unfortunately, the customer was near bankruptcy at the time and had no money in the bank. The result? A big loss. Sticking to your limits is the best way to prevent risks from the start. Lesson Three: Peers are not always friends. In foreign trade, you meet many people, but it's important to keep work and personal relationships separate. Especially when dealing with unstable clients, don’t reveal too much information. Letting others take advantage of you can lead to serious consequences. I once made this mistake. During the Canton Fair, I met a peer from another company. As a newcomer, I shared some of my client’s business secrets and details about my deals. Soon after, I found out that the same client had also worked with my friend. I regretted it later, but it was too late. From that day on, I learned never to share confidential information with others—even if they seem friendly. Lesson Four: The customer is God, but you have to be ready to stand your ground and negotiate. While it's important to treat customers with respect, it's equally crucial to protect your interests. Don't let them walk all over you just because they’re the "God" of the business. Be professional, be firm, and always know your worth. Printed Shirts,Floral Printing Shirt,Floral Pattern Men's Shirts,Casual Floral Pattern Shirt SHAOXING UNLESS CLOTHING CO.,LTD , https://www.welconchina.com