After Placing the Order

After payment goes through, there seems to be a long wait before the manufacturer starts working on your order. They usually already have other orders in their production line and have to schedule your order when they can. This depends on the size of the factory.

I have an agent who organises this - China Shine. In some ways, it is good having an agent as they will make sure you get the order and seem to be able to move the order between factories. When I was selecting manufacturers, I decided to have an agent and someone who worked at the factory!! My agent only charges 3% which is very small but to me well worth it.

Because I have organised all of this online, I asked for photos to show them making my underwear!! That was quite interesting and gave me a real feel of what was happening! I am very curious and loved seeing this!

I will go and visit the factories that make my underwear! But this will be in the future!!

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.