I have read @Walter's book a few times, and he mentions that one should never ask about MOQ first or ignore/deviate from any questions asked by a supplier at the beginning regarding this.
The reason mentioned in the book: it makes you look like a newbie importer.
The thing with my product is that I can only commit to a MOQ of 300-500 pairs, while most manufacturers are asking for at least 1,000 order.
It's not an expensive product (~$10 per unit), so factories want to make it worth for them to create a new product as per my design.
Fortunately, I have found 1 factory, but looking for a few more for the sampling stage.
Isn't it counterintuitive that you don't mention your MOQ in the beginning, spend time discussing your product, factory capabilities, asking questions to later find out that the factory doesn't want to work with you unless you commit to their large MOQ (hence time wasted on communication)?
Furthermore, some factories are very determined on their MOQ, despite other negotiation tactics:
What I am really asking is: if I am only able to buy a small amount of inventory in the beginning, how do I effectively sift through manufacturers and find the ones willing to work with me, without appearing as a noob?
The reason mentioned in the book: it makes you look like a newbie importer.
The thing with my product is that I can only commit to a MOQ of 300-500 pairs, while most manufacturers are asking for at least 1,000 order.
It's not an expensive product (~$10 per unit), so factories want to make it worth for them to create a new product as per my design.
Fortunately, I have found 1 factory, but looking for a few more for the sampling stage.
Isn't it counterintuitive that you don't mention your MOQ in the beginning, spend time discussing your product, factory capabilities, asking questions to later find out that the factory doesn't want to work with you unless you commit to their large MOQ (hence time wasted on communication)?
Furthermore, some factories are very determined on their MOQ, despite other negotiation tactics:
- "This will be a trial order, and later I will double my quantity later.";
- "My boss has told me this is the only amount we can order in the beginning."
What I am really asking is: if I am only able to buy a small amount of inventory in the beginning, how do I effectively sift through manufacturers and find the ones willing to work with me, without appearing as a noob?
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