Getting samples

Buying something from overseas can be a bit scary. Samples are crucial to the process. Usually, they cost a lot. I pay about $150 for a few sets of underwear!!! But the supplier sends them to your door by courier, such as DHL.

With my business, I get the samples in my size. This allows me to check how well the bras fit. (Prior to this, I have provided the supplier with all of the measurements.)This gives me a good idea about what I am getting, the sizing, quality, etc. I ask everyone to comment on them. Usually, the samples are white because dyeing procedures can be quite complex.

Samples need to be perfect. I check them very carefully for any small imperfections. I still got caught and had to reorder some things because they were not good enough to sell to the general public. The shipment cannot be returned because of shipping costs, customs, etc.

I then discuss any changes I need to be made with the supplier. This takes me a few hours but well worth the trouble. I have suppliers who are very particular and make sure they understand everything. That is great for me even though I get impatient at times because we seem to go over things several times. (This is the same for all 3 suppliers I have dealt with!!) The language difference also plays a part in this, so we need to get everything right.

Next post will be about paying deposits.

Using Alibaba

Alibaba is an amazing site. You can buy anything you want there!!

I really love Trade Manager. You can chat with the suppliers to get what you want! It also serves to "check them out". I really try to build a realationship with the suppliers and this helps to get them to understand what you what! I have heard of people getting ripped off by some suppliers, so if you are thinking about going this way, do your homework!

It is also worth reading some of the forums on the site to find out what people are thinking!

I believe the 2 biggest things that we need to emphasise is quality and price. Reliability is important too!

But it takes me about 3-4 months to do the negotiating for what I want! By the time we sort out sizing, labelling, styles, changes to samples, and receive order, 4 months has passed. The factory also has a schedule and production of your product needs to fit into their schedule! When I realized the time it took, I decided I needed to plan what I wanted for the next 12 months so I always had stock!

Once the initial order is sorted, the time reduces but it still takes time to get the order to us. I allow 3 months!

I pay for samples! Some people disagree with that but I believe that the supplier knows you are serious if you are prepared to pay! This cost is taken off the price of the order, I believe!

There are other sites that you can get products from but I prefer Alibaba. It just seems more user friendly than the others I have looked at!

Next post... getting samples.

Finding an underwear supplier

Last post I had no supplier and didn't know where to find one!!

I searched all of the websites for suppliers but no-one was making 100% cotton underwear.

So, I decided that the only way was to put an add on Alibaba - the site I felt was most user friendly!! I put my ad up for 100% cotton underwear!!

I had about 60 responses in 4 days!! Then another 60 in the next 3 weeks! How do I choose a supplier? Next big question!! I then deleted all of the ones that I felt could not make cotton underwear!! Guess what? I had none left! No-one was making 100% cotton underwear!!

However... I had a few people contact me through Trade Manager on Alibaba. They assured me that they could supply what I wanted. They asked the questions and I got what I wanted.

I met 2 great people. One was China Shine and he was an agent. He would find a manufacturer to make the underwear I wanted. He has been fantastic to me. He speaks to me everyday. If I am online he always says hello. Just as if we were walking down the street, he would not pass without saying hello!! He has a wicked sense of humour and teases me about evrything! Mind you, I give as good as I get!! We have become good friends online and I am looking forward to going to Guangzhou to meet him. Maybe next year for the Canton Fair.

I also met Cathy. Also a great girl who works for CHK Clothing. She worked so hard for me and then really extended herself at a later date to help me. I will be forever grateful to her and I love the friendship I have with her as well. Someone else I want to meet! So my trip to China will include Shenzhen as well.

I have also met people who supply Target, Best and Less and Rivers. I am always surprised at how helpful the Chinese people are. When I have any problems , there are several that I can ask for help. They are always so willing to help. I believe it is why their country is doing the trade they are doing.

So I began negotiations with 2 manufacturers. I thought that this time I would have 2 so I wouldn't be left without a manufacturer again. I now have contacts with several manufacturers, so I will always have a supplier.

The negotiations begin....