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Me After Paying $250 for a Sample and They Charge Me 6 RMB for the Shunfeng


(Start a Clothing Brand? Be Ready for Every Line Item—Even the Petty Ones.)


There’s nothing quite like that moment.


You’ve just shelled out $250 for a sample—fair enough, it’s R&D. It’s development. It’s part of the process. But then comes the kicker: they hit you with a 6 RMB shipping charge.


Not $6. Six. RMB. About 83 cents.


Suddenly you’re not just a founder—you’re a character in a sourcing sitcom. And that little Shunfeng fee? It’s the punchline.


But here’s the real plot twist: this kind of petty nonsense happens all the time. It’s part of the unspoken reality of learning how to start a clothing brand.


If you’re tired of nickel-and-diming, mystery fees, and post-sample drama, Garment Sourcing 101 was made for you. It’s your shield against the chaos.




Start a Clothing Brand? Know the Game Before You Step on the Field



Here’s what no one tells you:


  • Samples are expensive.

  • Development takes time.

  • Shipping invoices will haunt you.



And yet—you still need to go through all of it. Just not blindly.




Step 1: Budget for Samples (and Then Double It)



Sampling is where your idea becomes real. But it’s also where founders:


  • Underestimate timelines

  • Forget to ask about re-sample fees

  • Get blindsided by shipping (even the Shunfeng variety)



Want to start a clothing brand smartly? Build sampling into your launch budget—and expect weird charges along the way.




Step 2: Ask for a Breakdown Before You Pay Anything



Whether it’s a $250 sample or an 83¢ shipping fee, always ask:


  • What’s included in the sample charge?

  • Is the pattern development reusable?

  • Will the courier fee be separate?



Most suppliers aren’t trying to scam you. But if you don’t ask, they won’t clarify.


Garment Sourcing 101 includes email templates and negotiation tips that make this whole part way less awkward.




Step 3: Don’t Take the 6 RMB Personally



It’s not about the money. It’s about:


  • Structure

  • Standardization

  • Process gaps



They charge it because they always charge it. You’re not being targeted. But you can be prepared.




Step 4: Build Systems, Not Grudges



Petty fees are annoying. But they don’t define the relationship.


What does?


  • How well they follow your tech pack

  • Whether they communicate delays

  • How your product actually turns out



Focus on what matters. Laugh off the rest.




Step 5: Expect the Unexpected (and Track It All)



When you start a clothing brand, track:


  • Every sample fee

  • Courier charges

  • Payment confirmations

  • Notes from conversations



Not because you’re paranoid—because it saves you from future confusion.




TL;DR – It’s Not the 6 RMB. It’s the Principle (and the Paper Trail)



You’ll pay for the sample. You’ll probably pay for the shipping. But with the right tools, you won’t pay for it emotionally.


Start a clothing brand with:


  • A system

  • A spreadsheet

  • A course that actually shows you what to expect





Final Word: That Sample Cost You $250—and a Lesson



Everything in sourcing is a lesson. Even a Shunfeng charge.



  • Pricing insight

  • Supplier communication strategies

  • Negotiation templates



👉 Take the course, keep your peace—and next time you get hit with a random courier fee, you’ll smile knowingly and move on like a pro.



start a clothing brand

 
 
 

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