Start with a clear spec, not a factory search
Before contacting any factory, buyers who move fastest have already nailed down dimensions, materials, finish, target FOB price and order volume. A vague brief — "something like this photo" — is the single biggest cause of slow, expensive sourcing, because every factory you contact has to guess at half your requirements.
Understand where production actually happens
Most first-time buyers land in Guangzhou or Shenzhen expecting to find furniture factories. The real production base is an hour further west, split across Foshan's Shunde and Lecong districts — Lecong for solid wood and case goods, Shunde for upholstery, Longjiang for rattan and outdoor. Knowing which district makes what saves an entire wasted day of travel.
Shortlist and vet before you request a quote
A factory's showroom tells you almost nothing about its actual production capability. Useful vetting covers export licensing, factory size, staff count, and a look at what else is currently on the production line — not just what's on display.
Sample, inspect, then scale
Skipping the sample stage to save two weeks is the most common way buyers end up with a container of furniture that doesn't match what they approved. A physical sample, checked against your spec, is worth the delay every time.