Frequently asked questions
Fees, payments, quality and shipping, before your first order.
01How do your fees work?
I charge 10% of the factory order value on your first order with a new vendor. That drops to 5% on reorders, and on new products ordered from a factory you already use. There's no monthly retainer, so costs are tied to actual orders, which makes me a flexible extra resource when you need a hard-to-find product or want more vendor options. I never mark up product prices behind the scenes, and I don't take factory kickbacks.
02What happens if factory prices or order sizes drop?
My fee is a straight percentage of the total delivered price, so it flexes with your business and your cash flow. If orders shrink in a slow season or unit prices fall, my fee drops right along with the invoice. You only spend money when products are actually ordered, which keeps overhead low when business slows down.
03How do payments work?
Factory orders and shipping are paid 100% upfront when the order is placed, and my fee is paid at the same time. You pay the factory directly, so you keep full control of billing with no hidden markups or shipping kickbacks. Paying this way gets you priority on factory production lines, better shipping channels and the best price-to-quality ratio.
04How do you check quality before a large order?
I order samples from up to three vendors to compare quality and negotiate pricing, then place a small trial order. The trial run catches spelling errors, packaging issues, print mistakes and any differences between the samples and real factory production, before a full container is ordered.
05Do you use direct factories or trading companies?
I always prefer direct factories, unless a trading company offers a better mix of price and quality. If a trading company works best for the first few orders, I use it until your order sizes are big enough to move straight to the main factory.
06Do I need to sign a contract just to send a photo?
No. You don't need a contract to get a price estimate or send me a product photo. Ticking the policy box on the form simply confirms that my early research won't be used to go around Quality Brands Direct. We sign a simple agreement only when actual sample work or production begins.
07Where are products made?
Most products are made in Asia, where manufacturing costs are lower, but I use US factories when you need speed or domestic production. I pick supplier locations based on your target costs, product needs and delivery times, with a focus on real commercial-size orders.
08What do you need from me to get started?
A photo, a website link or a simple description of the product is all I need. I can turn a simple idea into clear factory specifications. Any drawings, samples or target prices you already have are helpful too.
09How does shipping work?
I gather several shipping options based on your preferences. Once you choose one, the factory arranges Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) shipping to your door. I coordinate the logistics and paperwork sign-offs step by step to keep it simple, and I'll support you fully if freight problems come up. Technical shipping liability stays between you and the factory.
10How do you handle custom packaging, branding and factory communication?
I manage custom logos, packaging and factory communication directly, to keep misunderstandings to a minimum. Clear communication helps bridge the language gap between US business owners and overseas suppliers. No system can remove every bit of factory confusion, but careful checks catch spec details and last-minute changes early.
Tell me what you're trying to source
A photo or a link is enough to start. I'll come back with whether it's something I can help with, and what the first step would look like.
- What the product is, or a photo of something close to it
- Where you're located and where you'll sell it
- How you want it packaged and labelled
- Rough quantities at sample, trial and normal order