First Encounter: An Inquiry from Afghanistan
One morning in 2022, I opened my computer as usual to check the company’s email inbox. Among
the unread messages, one with the subject "Inquiry for Injection Molding Machine" caught my
attention. The sender, named Abdul, was from Kabul, Afghanistan. In his email, he wrote:
"Hello, I am the head of a small plastic product factory. Due to the unstable situation in
Afghanistan, our equipment is old and difficult to repair, which has resulted in extremely
low production efficiency. I have heard that injection molding machines from China are of
good quality and reasonably priced, and I hope to purchase one from your company. However, I
am not familiar with the Chinese market and don’t know how to proceed, so I hope to receive
your help."
Reading the email, I felt conflicted. The situation in Afghanistan is well known, and it is
remarkable that Abdul's factory has managed to keep operating in such an environment. I
immediately replied, offering to help and asking for more details about his specific needs.
Communication: Building Trust
In the following days, Abdul and I communicated frequently via email and WhatsApp. He
explained that his factory mainly produced plastic daily goods like bowls, cups, and
hangers. However, due to old equipment, the product quality was unstable, and the number of
orders was decreasing. He hoped to purchase a medium-sized injection molding machine, with a
limited budget, but requiring the machine to be durable and easy to operate.
Based on his needs, I recommended a cost-effective domestic injection molding machine,
explaining the machine’s technical parameters, price, and after-sales service in detail. To
give him further reassurance, I also filmed a production video at our factory, demonstrating
how the machine operated, and sent it to him.
Abdul was very satisfied after viewing the video, but he raised a request that put me in a
difficult position: "Because the banking system in Afghanistan is unstable, I cannot
directly transfer funds to China. Can you help me find a secure payment method?"
Challenges: Payment and Logistics
Abdul’s predicament made me realize that this order was not just a simple transaction but
represented cross-border trust and cooperation. I immediately contacted our finance and
logistics teams to discuss possible solutions.
After much coordination, we decided on an “installment payment + third-party guarantee”
plan: Abdul would pay a 30% deposit, and the balance would be paid after the equipment was
shipped. To ensure the safety of the funds, we arranged a guarantee service through an
international logistics company.
As for logistics, Afghanistan does not have direct freight routes, so the equipment would
need to be first shipped to Pakistan, and then transported by land to Kabul. Although the
process was complicated, we promised to track the shipment throughout to ensure the
equipment’s safe arrival.
Delivery: Equipment Arrives in Kabul
Two months later, the equipment finally arrived in Kabul. Abdul excitedly sent me photos and
videos: a brand-new injection molding machine was carefully unloaded from the truck, with
workers gathered around, smiling broadly.
He told me this was the largest investment his factory had made in recent years and it
represented his hope for the future. He said, "This machine will not only improve our
production efficiency but also makes me believe that even in the most difficult times, there
are still people in the world willing to lend a helping hand."
Aftermath: The Continuation of Friendship and Cooperation
After the installation and debugging of the equipment, Abdul’s factory quickly regained its
vitality. He began receiving new orders, and the quality of the products gained customer
recognition. Every so often, he would send me updates on the factory’s progress, sometimes a
photo of a new product, sometimes a simple thank you.
In early 2023, Abdul contacted me again, hoping to purchase a second injection molding
machine. This time, our communication was smoother, and he trusted our cooperation even
more. He said, "You are not just my supplier; you are my friend."
Epilogue: Trust Knows No Borders
This story deeply reminded me that business is not just about cold transactions, but about
trust and cooperation between people. Even though Afghanistan and China are separated by
vast mountains and seas, and despite the differences in language, culture, and environment,
as long as there is sincerity, a bridge of trust can be built.
Abdul’s factory continues to operate in Kabul, and the injection molding machine not only
produces plastic products but also carries his hope for the future. As an ordinary
salesperson, I feel incredibly proud to have helped him.
Lessons from the case:
Trust is the foundation of cooperation: No matter where the client comes from, sincerity and
professionalism are key to gaining trust.
Difficulties are another form of opportunity: When facing challenges, actively seeking
solutions often leads to unexpected rewards.
Business can be full of warmth: Helping others achieve their dreams is an accomplishment in
itself.
I hope this story brings you some inspiration and warmth!