May. 27, 2024
So if you are working with a clothing manufacturer or going to partner up with any clothing manufacturer, then you must be confused about how do I talk to a clothing manufacturer, or you might be thinking about what is the question to ask clothing manufacturers. Well, let me tell you one secret, the way you ask a question to your clothing manufacturer can be really helpful for your business as when partnering up with the clothing manufacturers, there are some critical questions that you need to ask a clothing manufacturer.
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Some strategic questions will help you know much about whether the clothing manufacturers you will partner up with are suitable for your business. Its a kind of a challenging task to find clothing manufacturers and work with them. Thats why it is advised to pick up a couple of the clothing manufacturers and contact them, ask them several questions, and then shortlist your options that you think are best for manufacturing your clothing line or products.
You need to analyze what Is a clothing manufacturer and how many clothing manufacturers are there who meet your quality standards and whose sample look similar to the product you want to sell in the market because that will be the base of your business. Moreover, another you need to do is to match your budget and the cost estimation from the clothing manufacturers. This is important to work with a manufacturer that is friendly to your budget. Remember, the manufacturing costs vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, so you need to have a good business model and clothing manufacturer by your side before you start things.
Are you facing problems in choosing the right clothing manufacturer? Dont worry, and we have written a guide for that too. Read How to find a clothing manufacturer
This article mentions the critical questions you should ask the clothing manufacturer to spot the best fit for your clothing brand. So lets dive into the topic.
To get the most information from the clothing manufacturers, here are some of the best questions you can ask your clothing manufacturers to get complete knowledge.
1. Can You Source Any Fabric For Me?
So the first thing you should know is that as a clothing brand you will be producing different types of clothes with extra fabric and features. So its critically essential for you to connect with a clothing manufacturer. Not every manufacturer is capable of sourcing any material for you. Suppose you are working with the clothing manufacturer and have a new design for producing a clothing line on rare clothing fabric. Now here, you need to ask your manufacturer if they can source that rare fabric for you, and if they dont, you will lose the race here.
There are only few good manufacturers who have strong supply chain management, so they are able to source any type of fabric that you want. Here you need to find a clothing manufacturer that takes care.
2. Can You Make The Product Line That I Want?
Ask your options about what type of clothing line they can make. As a brand, you will be producing different kinds of dresses or clothing lines, so you should ask your clothing manufacturer if they can create the type of clothing you have designed or if they have previously designed the product. Lets say that you will be selling jackets, so the best manufacturer for you here is the one who has previously worked on manufacturing the jackets.
3. What Are the Brands You Have Worked With?
This is an important question that you can ask the clothing manufacturers to know their industry experience. By asking this question, you will understand what clothing manufacturers have and which quality of work. If you are familiar with the brands, you can inspect their manufacturing quality.
You can also ask them for references for the brands they have worked with. After that, you can research these brands like how their business is going and a lot more. A clothing manufacturer that has worked with a famous brand you already know is a plus point for you to consider that clothing manufacturer.
4. Are they linked with 3rd party suppliers?
Let me tell you the difference between the direct manufacturers and manufacturers linked with 3rd party suppliers. The direct manufacturers are the ones who source the fabric and needful things by themselves. While on the other side, the clothing manufacturers that are linked with the 3rd party supplier hire someone else to source that fabric, which increases prices and complicates the process by involving several other risks and dependencies.
So you should ask the clothing manufacturer if they are linked with any other 3rd party supplier. If they are not, thats a plus for you because such clothing manufacturers will cost you less than the 2nd type of clothing manufacturer.
5. Do you provide tech packs and sample development?
Tech pack and sample development is an essential element in the clothing industry. The tech pack is the graphical file you receive from the clothing manufacturer. It contains the visual representation of your product, its sizing details, fabric details, measurements, features and functions.
So you can ask them if you provide the tech pack before manufacturing the product in bulk. Moreover, another thing that makes the process simple is the sample development. You can ask for one or multiple samples of your products before getting started with the bulk manufacturing. Sample development is beneficial for you as it helps you have a physical look and touch over the product you will be getting in the larger quantity.
Learn more about How To Find Clothing Sample Maker
6. When can I get my delivery?
Clothing manufacturers might not be able to answer an accurate date for order delivery, but they can provide a date for a sample product. Once the sample has been approved from your side, they will be able to give you a date by which your whole manufacturing will be done.
7. Can you provide a cost estimation?
Cost estimation can give a proper idea of how your product manufacturing will cost you with any manufacturers. As we mentioned earlier, the cost can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, so you discuss the details with different manufacturers and then go with the manufacturer that best suits your budget.
Remember to provide all the technical details like designs, fabric to be used, printing methods and development instructions to the manufacturer before asking themabout thecost estimation.
8. What language do you speak?
Language is an essential factor that you should mention. If you work with international clothing manufacturers, you will be conveying your idea through communication. Therefore, its best if you both speak the same language. It will make your process of conveying the product idea easier.
Having the same language make things a lot easier for you. So, dont forget to add this question to your list.
9. Terms of payment
Its better to take all the details in the first call, so you should also ask what the payment methods they work on are. There are a huge number of clothing manufacturers that operate on advanced models. Initially, they require a bit of amount to do sample development and tech pack designing, while the more significant part of the payment needs to be paid at the time of bulk order delivery.
So, clothing manufacturers work on different models. Some require more than a little amount from you at the initialization of manufacturing. So you can ask and select whats best for you.
10. How do handle mishaps and claims
The primary object of the tech pack and sample development is to check if the product is right according to the needs of the customer or not. Clothing manufacturers send you the samples to have the physical creation in your hand. By having the product in your hand, you will be able to look details of your product.
A trait of good manufacturers is a tech pack sample development process. They can work over your product until you get it right according to your needs.
11. What is your Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ)?
The Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) refers to the minimum number of pieces you can order from the clothing manufacturers. Suppose that you are a startup and dont have much budget. In this case, you will need a manufacturer who can provide a minimum amount of product which will be more suitable for you in terms of costs.
You must know the difference between wholesaler, manufacturer, and agency. The wholesaler is someone who buys clothes from manufacturers in bulk quantities and then sells them further.
The manufacturer manufactures products based on the brands and customers needs and deals directly with them. If you are a startup brand, manufacturers are a good option.
While on the other side, the retailer or the clothing agency is the one who acts as a middle man between the clothing manufacturers and brands and manages the relationship between them.
If you are emailing the clothing manufacturer, you must mention a couple of points in your . Here are the following that you should include in your .
For a detailed guide on emailing a clothing manufacturer, visit here.
In this article, we have put all the questions to ask clothing manufacturers. Moreover, we have added an additional section that informs you of how to a clothing manufacturer properly. We hope his article will be helpful for you.
Wholesale
Nedina Gjorgjieva
Nedina GjorgjievaMay 09,
·
12 minutes
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Its no secret that wholesale is classified as one of the most preferred supplying methods among others, such as dropshipping.
The reasons behind this preference are numerous, but we wont go into detail since the sales numbers can speak for themselves.
As reported by Statista, the US wholesaler sales have reached an estimated amount of around 670 billion USD with an increase of around 10 billion USD within one year.
You can only imagine the number of sales made on a global level.
However, not all wholesalers contribute to these satisfying numbers. Therefore, its important to bear in mind a few things instead of jumping headfirst.
If youre a newcomer to buying wholesale, chances are you neither have an idea where to start looking nor know what criteria to have in mind when the time comes to make a choice.
To ease things up for you, weve put together the most important questions to ask your wholesaler.
Check out: Questions to ask dropshipping suppliers
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Register nowThe best way to verify that the supplier youve chosen to collaborate with is reliable and sells genuine wholesale products is to find out as much information as possible regarding their experience and work history.
Wholesalers who have secured a network of loyal clients and have been on the market for some time are certain to be more trustworthy and provide you with better wholesale service.
Of course, you can always do a full investigation by yourself by:
However, its even better to ask them directly as they may share details that havent been published online which could end up being decisive information.
Understanding the merchandise your wholesale supplier offers is crucial for aligning their inventory with your stores needs.
When selecting a supplier, ask for a comprehensive list or catalog of the products available. This list should include detailed information like product categories, materials, sizes, and variations.
For instance, if your niche is high-end fashion, youd want to know whether the supplier provides a consistent supply of luxury clothing, accessories, or footwear, and if they carry premium brands or focus on unbranded items.
Additionally, inquire about new product launches or seasonal collections to ensure your store can keep up with market trends.
Dont forget to ask about quality control measures and how they ensure the merchandise is free of defects.
Understanding the suppliers ordering process is vital to maintaining efficient operations and meeting customer expectations.
Begin by asking if there is a need to create an account on the suppliers platform. If so, this may require you to provide some business details, such as your name, number, address, business name, business permit, or business registration number.
Once your account is verified, youll probably gain access to their wholesale catalog, where you can browse the full range of products available.
in most cases, you can put products you want to order in your shopping cart and finalize your order by paying with card.
Besides making sure the supplier has sufficient experience, store owners should prioritize finding vendors for your business that offer new clothing arrivals on a regular basis.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of bib wholesale. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
For every store out there, the main source of success comes from keeping customers content which is best done when providing them constantly with the latest products.
This recurrent update on items will continuously draw their attention, making them keep coming back to your shop and eventually turning them into a regular clientele.
It goes without saying that product diversity plays a crucial role in retaining customers and preventing them from checking out competitors stores.
Thats why in your search for the finest wholesaler you should never forget to ask potential suppliers about the variety of products they have at your disposal and estimate if that amount would satisfy your customers needs.
Therefore, dont rush into choosing a supplier before confirming that they offer a wide-ranging portfolio of brands and products thatll not only bring you happy and loyal customers but also assure you notable revenue growth.
If you are getting into the fashion industry, make certain your supplier of choice covers enough categories of winning products for both men and women to be able to meet shopping enthusiasts expectations.
In case your niche consists of selling high-end fashion products, its of the utmost importance to verify their authenticity as there are many suppliers offering knock-off items that you may end up purchasing without realizing theyre counterfeit goods.
So, when browsing for wholesalers of luxury brands, remember to look for suppliers that stand behind their products authenticity and would stock your store with genuine brands.
One example of a wholesale supplier that ensures 100% authenticity to each product in their portfolio is BrandsGateway.
The product catalog is every wholesalers most significant part of their website, giving prospective customers a sneak peek into their inventory, enough to make a general evaluation of the items theyre selling.
However, many business owners may stumble upon wholesalers that offer an extremely limited preview of their catalog, making the rest of the products available only after one decides to use their services.
So, try to avoid these suppliers and stick with those who give clients access to check out their merchandise by registering for free like BrandsGateway and their catalog of the latest trending clothing items.
The minimum order quantity can vary tremendously from one wholesaler to another but it mostly depends on the type of products being sold.
For instance, expensive products usually have a higher MOQ than those sold at cheaper prices because theyre high-quality authentic products that are obtained from authorized entities.
Thus, its best when clients are informed upfront about the MOQ in order to be able to calculate in advance their order expenses and see if they can fit them into their budget.
The location where the suppliers merchandise is produced can say a lot about the quality of the products.
Although many suppliers source their goods from authorized vendors and then sell them to retailers, outlet owners, or eCommerce stores, an even bigger number source them from unreliable manufacturers, some of which are known to have significant disadvantages such as the cons of Chinese suppliers.
Because of that, its highly recommended to check where your wholesale supplier sources their merchandise from prior to buying a poor-quality bulk of items.
The whereabouts of your potential wholesalers warehouses are another thing clients should take into consideration, especially because it can greatly affect the delivery time.
In addition to the price paid when purchasing the products, the buyer is also required to cover custom duties for exporting and importing merchandise from one country to another.
That being the case, try to opt for a wholesaler who has warehouses in several places around the world, such as BrandsGateway, which will not only reduce your expenses but also provide you with fast and convenient delivery services.
Another vital thing wholesale suppliers should inform you about is the approximate time it would take for them to deliver your orders.
You wouldnt want to find yourself in a situation in which customers cant make a purchase of a certain item because your store is out of stock.
Therefore, just like previously mentioned, when choosing a supplier, keep in mind both the location of the warehouses and the time it might take for orders to be handed over to you.
In order for you to be able to keep an eye on your packages, ask your wholesaler if they offer the possibility for you to track your delivery.
In that way, you can be kept posted on the status of your order at all times and be notified almost instantly in the case of any shipping delays.
Hence, make sure to pick out a supplier that would provide you with a tracking number, as BrandsGateway does with its clients, so you could constantly be kept updated on where your order stands.
Before trying to figure out delivery costs, order tracking, or shipping time, you need to find out if the potential suppliers youve been looking into ship globally or just locally.
If they dont ship to your location, youd only be wasting your time with them.
You shouldnt be surprised if you ever come across wholesalers who limit their shipping abilities and offer delivery services only within the countries their warehouses are situated in and sometimes including neighboring states.
For that reason, always make sure that you work with a supplier that ships worldwide so that you can build an international eCommerce business.
Being aware of return and refund policies is crucial in the event of having to deal with damaged goods.
Thus, its important to have a clear understanding of how your supplier manages situations when clients wish to return products or cancel orders.
Some might offer monetary reimbursement, some may provide store credit, while others might give out coupons or discounts.
In addition, be on the watch for any hidden fees or additional charges that could be imposed by the supplier.
In most cases, suppliers rarely offer freight-collect services concerning the return of products.
In other words, the buyers are the ones responsible for covering the shipping costs when sending items back to the wholesaler.
However, there are suppliers that do bear those costs in the event of merchandise that is faulty, has been damaged, or wrongly shipped.
In order to benefit from a full refund in cases like these, suppliers are likely to ask you to provide them with photos of the products concerned.
After theyve accepted your request, theyll be able to reimburse you for your loss.
Therefore, have a good look at the terms and conditions of your wholesaler and take careful notice of the returns and refunds sections.
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Learn moreOne more key question to include in your list is regarding the payment methods of the wholesalers you have set your mind on working with.
Taking into account the pros and cons of various payment methods, depending on your preferences and possibilities, you might find some of them are less while others are more suitable for your business.
Thus, itd be wise to opt for suppliers who present clients with the opportunity to choose among different types of payment.
In this manner, youd have the freedom to determine which option would work best for you.
To avoid any inconveniences, its essential to settle the payment terms with the supplier, meaning, to agree on when payments should be installed.
Usually, wholesalers have clearly defined payment times that clients are expected to respect.
However, for different types of items, there may be different payment terms to be met.
Hence, its important to inform yourself thoroughly about invoice deadlines so there wont be any confusion or unexpected situations.
Keeping your store profitable can be a challenging thing to do, especially for newbies on the market.
In order to make sure youll be receiving a decent profit, dont forget to discuss with your supplier the income you should expect for every item sold.
Select a supplier that offers great wholesale margins which will bring you an excellent financial standing and kick-start your store to stardom.
But before that, make sure you know what profit margins you aim for and understand the difference between margin and markup.
When purchasing products in bulk, luxury brands particularly, wholesalers try to abstain from giving discounts.
Its an industry standard that has been around for a long time and suppliers attempt to stick with it.
Nevertheless, during the holiday shopping season, chances are youll come across discounts for particular categories of products and brands.
So, stay in tune with your supplier so you dont miss out on those opportunities.
You know that a wholesaler is worth doing business with when they not only supply clients with excellent products but also have at disposal exceptional customer service.
Whether its about the above-discussed delivery issues, merchandise troubles, or something else, clients should always be able to lean on customer support for any kind of problem that may arise.
In that way, they can keep steady communication with the supplier around the clock.
Last but not least, customer reviews and references exert an astounding influence on clients decisions.
In a survey conducted by PowerReviews, 98% of consumers said that reviews are an indispensable step when purchasing merchandise, thus, giving them a decision-making role in the purchase process both in the B2C and B2B marketplaces.
So, it wouldnt be a bad idea to request from suppliers credible reviews. To illustrate, wholesaler BrandsGateway supplies interested retailers with such testimonials, furnishing them with evidence that BrandsGateway is legit.
As your store grows and expands, youre likely to constantly come across new wholesale suppliers.
Some of them might emerge immediately as the perfect match, while others might not be up your alley.
To be 100% sure that they are someone your store would benefit from working with, we recommend putting these questions to use when business talks are in progress.
Thus, we advise you to have this list on hand so you can come back to it whenever you need to evaluate new partners and verify the reliability and authenticity of their services and company.
About the Author
Proud bookworm, passionate content writer and devoted Arctic Monkeys fan. Always in the mood for travel and sightseeing.
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