Sourcing in the US

[Y.B.]

Does anyone have any experience sourcing locally in the US?

I'm working on getting some athletic apparel products to the market. I've found suppliers in the US but the prices are ridiculous, almost as much as I would want to sell them for retail.

On the other hand, getting them overseas is expensive. For example, 1 design for a tshirt can come in 5 colors and 4 sizes so initial inventory would be pricey.

What is the best solution for this dichotomy?

 

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[Vincent Law]

Does anyone have any experience sourcing locally in the US?

I'm working on getting some athletic apparel products to the market. I've found suppliers in the US but the prices are ridiculous, almost as much as I would want to sell them for retail.

On the other hand, getting them overseas is expensive. For example, 1 design for a tshirt can come in 5 colors and 4 sizes so initial inventory would be pricey.

What is the best solution for this dichotomy?

Sucks that no one replied. Importing seems so complicated and intense, wish there were more threads about how to source locally.

 

[million$$$smile]

Does anyone have any experience sourcing locally in the US?

I'm working on getting some athletic apparel products to the market. I've found suppliers in the US but the prices are ridiculous, almost as much as I would want to sell them for retail.

On the other hand, getting them overseas is expensive. For example, 1 design for a tshirt can come in 5 colors and 4 sizes so initial inventory would be pricey.

What is the best solution for this dichotomy?

Have you considered attending a couple of apparel trade shows?

If your serous about starting your own athletic apparel line, this would be essential. You will find numerous manufacturers/suppliers that will at least give you the opportunity to confirm whether your idea is viable. There are events occurring in Denver and in Vegas this week alone, but others scheduled throughout the year.

www.apparelsourcingshow.com/ might be one to consider.

Domestic (Made in USA) apparel can be sold in the US and worldwide. It is really a perception. Everyone sells imported apparel. Few market domestic, But there is a nice niche market for it, You have just got to find it and sell to that market. I know, I have done it with American made t shirts to niche markets. Thousands sold. Directly from my website, though I don't market them like I once did.

Your brand must be unique, If it is, then it can command a premium price from the consumer. Considering price first over quality (value) just makes your line like every other large supplier of athletic apparel. You can't compete against that.

Don't try. Be different. Be unique.

Hope this helps.

 

[Vincent Law]

Have you considered attending a couple of apparel trade shows?

If your serous about starting your own athletic apparel line, this would be essential. You will find numerous manufacturers/suppliers that will at least give you the opportunity to confirm whether your idea is viable. There are events occurring in Denver and in Vegas this week alone, but others scheduled throughout the year.

www.apparelsourcingshow.com/ might be one to consider.

Domestic (Made in USA) apparel can be sold in the US and worldwide. It is really a perception. Everyone sells imported apparel. Few market domestic, But there is a nice niche market for it, You have just got to find it and sell to that market. I know, I have done it with American made t shirts to niche markets. Thousands sold. Directly from my website, though I don't market them like I once did.

Your brand must be unique, If it is, then it can command a premium price from the consumer. Considering price first over quality (value) just makes your line like every other large supplier of athletic apparel. You can't compete against that.

Don't try. Be different. Be unique.

Hope this helps.

First off, thanks for replying, mind if I ask you some questions?

Secondly, your avatar is unsettling. Any story behind it?

What is the best country for making clothes and shipping to the United States?

It takes quite a bit of knowledge to import doesn't it? I am considering buying Watson's book from the Importing/Exporing AMA thread, but its about 100$ and although I don't doubt its good quality, I wonder if it is worth the hassle.

I have a very niche market in mind that I know very well and with people clamoring for the products I can provide. But I want profitable margins.
Would you say that the hassle of importing is worth it?

 

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[million$$$smile]

What is the best country for making clothes and shipping to the United States?

That is a two part question. What is the best country for making clothes and then the best country for shipping clothes to the United States.

And I cannot answer either question due to the fact that I do not import clothes. I have only purchased apparel manufactured in the US. If you are looking for someone that imports in the US and resells to retailers than of course your going to pay for the middleman.

Have you read through Walter Hay's Gold thread?
https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/co...ort-import-product-sourcing-specialist.55062/
Highly recommended.

Re: my avatar- It is just a constant reminder to me that just because one has a million dollars in the bank doesn't necessarily mean that he is happy.
I have seen a few extremely poor individuals that have proved to me that one can be happy even without a bank account.

It is all in the perception.

When someone receives pure drinking water for the first time in their lives, that could be worth more to them than what we regard as riches. Or cured from a debilitating disease, etc. Even with little, one can have a million$$$smile.

"If you want happiness for an hour-take a nap

If you want happiness for a day-go fishing

If you want happiness for a year-inherit a fortune

If you want happiness for a lifetime-help someone else"

Chinese proverb

 

[Vincent Law]

That is a two part question. What is the best country for making clothes and then the best country for shipping clothes to the United States.

And I cannot answer either question due to the fact that I do not import clothes. I have only purchased apparel manufactured in the US. If you are looking for someone that imports in the US and resells to retailers than of course your going to pay for the middleman.

Have you read through Walter Hay's Gold thread?
https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/co...ort-import-product-sourcing-specialist.55062/
Highly recommended.

Re: my avatar- It is just a constant reminder to me that just because one has a million dollars in the bank doesn't necessarily mean that he is happy.
I have seen a few extremely poor individuals that have proved to me that one can be happy even without a bank account.

It is all in the perception.

When someone receives pure drinking water for the first time in their lives, that could be worth more to them than what we regard as riches. Or cured from a debilitating disease, etc. Even with little, one can have a million$$$smile.

"If you want happiness for an hour-take a nap

If you want happiness for a day-go fishing

If you want happiness for a year-inherit a fortune

If you want happiness for a lifetime-help someone else"

Chinese proverb

Any advice about finding good manufacturers in the US then? Apart from trade shows. I'm out of the country currently. Do you use ThomasNet?
Is it necessary to visit the factory in person?

Anything you got, I'm willing to take!

Yeah, that thread is intense, I've been sitting in it for 2 days now.

Per your avatar. So much suffering and uglyness in the world. It seems that everything that is good and strong is now under assault. I see your profile and I shiver, to me its the future I hope we can prevent.

 

[million$$$smile]

Any advice about finding good manufacturers in the US then?

Look, you just gotta throw the dice and one way or the other get some samples and talk to the manufacturers. Chances are that if it is made in the USA then there is most likely some form of QC in place. I have never had a problem, but mind you, most of my clothing was limited initially to t shirts. My opinion is QC is much better here domestically than in Asia.

Trade shows for the simple reason that within a short time you are able to meet with numerous manufacturers, see the product, meet the reps, and hash out terms. If you are unable to attend one then you will have to spend time contacting them individually. Google American made apparel and get on the phone.

Why would you want to visit the factory? If you did, what difference would it make? What do you expect to be able to do by visiting their factory?

If your serious, get a list of sportswear apparel manufacturers/distributors and get on the phone and start asking questions. Ask for catalogs. try to obtain a sample. Act legitimate. Get serious about learning and the best way to do that is contacting the companies themselves.

No one can do it for you. You have to research your product and suppliers yourself. It is part of the Barrier of Entry, otherwise everyone would be doing it.

Good luck

 

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[Vincent Law]

Look, you just gotta throw the dice and one way or the other get some samples and talk to the manufacturers. Chances are that if it is made in the USA then there is most likely some form of QC in place. I have never had a problem, but mind you, most of my clothing was limited initially to t shirts. My opinion is QC is much better here domestically than in Asia.

Trade shows for the simple reason that within a short time you are able to meet with numerous manufacturers, see the product, meet the reps, and hash out terms. If you are unable to attend one then you will have to spend time contacting them individually. Google American made apparel and get on the phone.

Why would you want to visit the factory? If you did, what difference would it make? What do you expect to be able to do by visiting their factory?

If your serious, get a list of sportswear apparel manufacturers/distributors and get on the phone and start asking questions. Ask for catalogs. try to obtain a sample. Act legitimate. Get serious about learning and the best way to do that is contacting the companies themselves.

No one can do it for you. You have to research your product and suppliers yourself. It is part of the Barrier of Entry, otherwise everyone would be doing it.

Good luck

Thanks mate,

Just trying to get all the advice I can siphon before I take the plunge.

I am trying to calculate profitability margins right now and debating importing vs manufacturing in the USA.

Once the designs are done, I want to move quickly and place orders.

Any more advice?

 

[Walter Hay]

Any advice about finding good manufacturers in the US then? Apart from trade shows. I'm out of the country currently. Do you use ThomasNet?
Is it necessary to visit the factory in person?

Anything you got, I'm willing to take!

Yeah, that thread is intense, I've been sitting in it for 2 days now.

Per your avatar. So much suffering and uglyness in the world. It seems that everything that is good and strong is now under assault. I see your profile and I shiver, to me its the future I hope we can prevent.

First to the OP's question. Yes I have used and recommend ThomasNet, however I have slowly been developing reservations about them.

They now carry a large number of retail listings from Amazon, and a lot of products there are imported. You can still find US manufacturers, although one of those recently admitted that they actually manufacture in China.

Re @million$$$smile 's avatar - I like it! Very strong lessons there. One of the reasons I took my sons with me on business trips to Asia was so they could learn that you don't need money to be happy. We saw more smiles in what appeared to us as poverty-stricken places than you would see in the streets of New York.

Walter

 

[AustinS28]

May have luck here.

http://www.sourcingjournalonline.com

 

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[caezlar]

50 pieces per design, you can use you Logo, small quantity OEM, no matter what it is, Jeans or T-Shirts, jacket or shirts. As long as it is clothing.

 

[Jennifer.h]

That is a two part question. What is the best country for making clothes and then the best country for shipping clothes to the United States.

And I cannot answer either question due to the fact that I do not import clothes. I have only purchased apparel manufactured in the US. If you are looking for someone that imports in the US and resells to retailers than of course your going to pay for the middleman.

Have you read through Walter Hay's Gold thread?
https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/co...ort-import-product-sourcing-specialist.55062/
Highly recommended.

Re: my avatar- It is just a constant reminder to me that just because one has a million dollars in the bank doesn't necessarily mean that he is happy.
I have seen a few extremely poor individuals that have proved to me that one can be happy even without a bank account.

It is all in the perception.

When someone receives pure drinking water for the first time in their lives, that could be worth more to them than what we regard as riches. Or cured from a debilitating disease, etc. Even with little, one can have a million$$$smile.

"If you want happiness for an hour-take a nap

If you want happiness for a day-go fishing

If you want happiness for a year-inherit a fortune

If you want happiness for a lifetime-help someone else"

Chinese proverb

 

[Jennifer.h]

Beautiful proverb - one I had not heard before. Thank you!

 

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[Guatavo]

Does anyone have any experience sourcing locally in the US?

I'm working on getting some athletic apparel products to the market. I've found suppliers in the US but the prices are ridiculous, almost as much as I would want to sell them for retail.

On the other hand, getting them overseas is expensive. For example, 1 design for a tshirt can come in 5 colors and 4 sizes so initial inventory would be pricey.

What is the best solution for this dichotomy?

Hello Y.B

Let me introduce our clothing manufacturing manufacturing from Los Anagles, Frerez. We are in the manufacturing industry for last 15 years and would be pleased to help you with your requirements. Please let me know if I can help. Or for more info visit our website http://www.frerez.com/

 

[Jennifer.h]

Sucks that no one replied. Importing seems so complicated and intense, wish there were more threads about how to source locally.

Hi Vincent;

I am also working on a sports garment. I would highly recommend going to Outdoor Retailer, they have 2 shows a year in Salt Lake City. I went last year and as a result, got a look at the market and got some great ideas for my designs. Fabric suppliers, fastener manufacturers and chinese manufacturers are there - you can see their work and talk to them much more easily. You can also get some idea about how popular made in the usa is to the outdoor retailer crowd. The chinese can and will steal every good idea they come across. You can't patent clothing design, so you've got to have an angle. For US manufacturing there is a terrific bunch of resources at Makers Row.com.

Hope that helps.

 

[lovecharm]

Let me know what you need, I own factories in Asia, so I can get them.

I am going to offer sourcing service soon, just too busy with my existing clothing brand, I will need to hire people for that sourcing service as got plenty of requests on a regular basis, but can't accommodate them due to lack of time.

 

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[SEBASTlAN]

Have you tried SunApparel or RampTshirts?

 

[OldFaithful]

Has the OP had any success with domestic sourcing? How about an update?

 

[OldFaithful]

@Y.B. any updates??

 

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[Y.B.]

If you're looking for a US source, I heard a lot about makersrow.com and it may be worth checking out. I never pursued this venture because of how cash intensive this business is. 1 product, multiple sizes, colors, etc.. is a headache