Day 18: The "First Date" Rule (Why You Must Be Honest About Quantities)

Welcome to Week 3, Day 18 of My Dad vs. The Algorithm.

Today we are talking about Sourcing Etiquette.

We often get emails that say: "Hi, I'm starting a brand. Please send me swatches of your best fabrics. I don't know my quantities yet."

This sounds harmless, but to a manufacturer, it’s a red flag. Not because we don't want to work with you, but because we don't know how to work with you.

My dad, Ira, has a simple rule for sourcing meetings.

Ira’s Reaction:

"I don't care if you buy 50 yards or 5,000 yards. I just need to know which one it is. If I treat a 50-yard buyer like a 5,000-yard buyer, I'm setting you up for heartbreak. You're going to fall in love with a fabric you can't afford or can't meet the minimums for. Help me help you. Tell me what you need so I can show you what you can actually buy."

With over 1,000 styles, asking to "see everything" makes it impossible for us to help you. As Ira says, "I can't guide you if you won't tell me where we're going!"

Here is why Vagueness is the enemy of a good sourcing trip.

The "Unlimited Menu" Problem

We have over 1,000 different styles. We can customize weight, stitch, and content. If you just ask, "What do you have?" we have no idea where to start.

Swatches take time to cut and money to ship. If you are vague, we have to guess. And when we guess, you lose.

Scenario A: The "Heartbreak" (Small Brand Acting Big)

Sometimes, new brands are afraid to admit they only need 50 yards. They act vague to seem "professional."

The Result: We assume you are looking for Production (High Volume).

• We show you our amazing custom Novelty Knits, Pointelles, and specific weights.

• You fall in love with a specific Thermal.

• You ask is it a stock item.

• We get frustrated: "Sorry! That’s a Production item. Minimum order is 500 yards and lead time is 4 weeks."

• You get frustrated: "I need 200 yards now, do you have anything similar?"

The Truth: If you had said "I need low minimums,"  or "I need stock for quick delivery" we would have only shown you our Stock Program. You would have found a great fabric you could actually buy today.

Scenario B: The "Box" (Big Brand Acting Small)

On the flip side, some established brands are vague because they are just "browsing."

The Result: We assume you are a startup looking for Low Minimums.

• We only show you our Stock Swatches (Basic Jersey, French Terry, Rib).

• We don't show you the cool custom stuff because we think you aren't ready for it.

• You limit yourself. You miss out on exploring unique textures or custom weights that could have defined your collection.

The "Magic 3" Details

To get the best service, always provide these three things in your first email:

1. Fabric Type (e.g., French Terry, Jersey, Rib).

2. Weight (e.g., Heavy, Light, 14oz).

3. Quantity (e.g., , planning for 200 yards).

We Want You to Grow

Suppliers assume every company is going to grow. We will not treat you poorly just because you are small—as long as you are honest.

• If you need 50 yards, tell us. We will treat you like a VIP 50-yard customer.

• If you need 5,000 yards, tell us. We will structure the deal for volume.

Ira’s Final Advice:

"Don't bark up the wrong tree. If you want an apple, don't shake the pine tree. Be honest about your numbers, respect the time it takes to make swatches, and we will go out of our way to help you win."

Tune in tomorrow for Day 19!

(Missed yesterday's post about Fabric Waste? Read Day 17: The Cookie Dough Rule here.)

Review our Stock List for low-minimum options, or contact us for Production quotes.