Question
I've been using Alibaba.com to find ceramic cup manufactures in China and other parts of Asia. The problem is, (as great of an invention as Alibaba is):
A.) most of the manufacturers I've spoken to require an absurd order quantity (10,000+ units),
B.) And worse, many of the companies I've dealt with on Alibaba say they have a product that meets my requirements, send me a sample (that I pay for) only for me to figure out that the product does NOT meet my requirements.
This has cost me a lot of money and time. I'd really appreciate any advice. I am always willing to pay for someones time if they have a lot of good information on this topic.
Note: I am looking for espresso cups coated with polymer for sublimation purposes.
Answer
Honestly, the best bet is to take a trip to China and find a manufacturer. If you go to Beijing's Silk Market you should easily find someone to connect with there. If language is a barrier you can sometimes pay someone at your hotel's front desk to accompany you after their shift. Good luck!