Thermal transfer foil slitter successful case with Tunisia customer

On August 25, 2024, a Tunisian client reached out to me through Alibaba, expressing interest in a thermal transfer foil rewinder. During our exchange, the client explained that this was a new initiative for his company and provided me with his company’s information and WhatsApp contact. This interaction was especially motivating for me, as it represented my first promising lead since joining the TTR slitting machine industry four months prior. Our conversation continued late into the night, stretching into the early hours of August 26th. After connecting with the client on WhatsApp, I sent a quick introductory message and decided to call it a day, aware that this project would require significant time and effort to develop.

The next day, as soon as I arrived at the office, I began researching the client’s background. While I was able to identify the client’s company, locating their official website proved challenging at first. After some determined searching, I found their company’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/soluprinttn/). By examining their profile and photos, I confirmed that the client operates in a sector closely aligned with our own, solidifying his position as a genuine potential customer for our products and services.

Recognizing that the customer was focused on selling thermal transfer foil finished rolls in Tunisia and currently lacked a thermal transfer foil rewinder, I understood that this was a new venture for him. With this in mind, I suggested our N1 model TTR large slitting machine, which is not only cost-effective but also ideal for businesses new to the slitting industry. Additionally, since the customer did not have a supplier for large rolls, I connected him with the manager of our partner company Todaytec. Over the following month, I continued to provide the customer with detailed information about the machine, including photos and videos, to help him better understand its features and benefits.

On October 8, the customer unexpectedly requested a Proforma Invoice (PI) to assist him in securing a bank loan. Despite it being past ten o’clock in the evening, I prioritized the customer’s needs and worked overtime to prepare the PI. A week later, the customer inquired if we had a smaller Thermal transfer foil rewinder than the N1 model. In response, I introduced our compact TRS450 slitting machine and promptly created another PI for him. After that, communication with the customer became sporadic, and I could only gather occasional updates from the large roll supplier I had previously recommended to him.

By December 13, we had finalized the model selection. After a thorough analysis of the pros and cons of both the N1 TTR slitting machine and the TRS450 thermal transfer foil rewinder, we successfully persuaded the customer to opt for the more cost-effective N1 model. Initially, the advance payment was scheduled to be made before the 20th, but the customer repeatedly postponed it, pushing the payment into January. It later emerged that the customer had enlisted a middleman to facilitate the order and payment process due to payment restrictions. As a result, we spent some time negotiating the price with the middleman, which extended the process significantly.

Finally, on February 17, we received the customer’s advance payment. Once the funds were confirmed, production of the machine commenced. Below are the testing video taken prior to shipment.

In conclusion, although the order process presented its share of obstacles, I am extremely pleased with the final result. This experience has not only culminated in a fruitful business partnership but has also secured a dedicated customer who greatly appreciates my knowledge and commitment. It has strengthened my conviction that determination is essential for success, and no matter how daunting the sales journey may appear, consistent effort will always pave the way to achievement.