Me When I Ask for a Price Saving on a Higher MOQ (100 to 1000) and They Give Me $0.18 Off and Return My $50 Sample Fee

(Start a Clothing Brand? Get Ready for Negotiation Gymnastics.)

You’re feeling smart. Strategic. Confident. You’re increasing your order from 100 units to 1000. Big move, right? Surely that price per unit’s about to plummet.

Then the factory replies with:

“We can do $0.18 off per piece and return the $50 sample fee.”

Cue the slow blink.

That’s your grand reward for scaling tenfold? A discount that barely covers bubble wrap and the return of a fee you paid three emails ago.

This is the not-so-sexy side of learning how to start a clothing brand. The math is real. The margins are tight. And the discounts? Often… underwhelming.

But you can learn how to negotiate properly—without the false hope. That’s why I built Garment Sourcing 101. Because knowing what’s possible (and what’s not) will save you time, money, and false expectations.

Start a Clothing Brand? Learn the Limits of Volume-Based Discounts

Here’s what most first-time founders don’t realize:

• Factories already price tightly at low MOQs

• Going from 100 to 1000 doesn’t magically drop your cost by half

• Some costs (like labor) barely scale

So yes—bumping your order from 100 to 1000 is impressive.

But no—it doesn’t always result in massive savings.

Step 1: Understand Which Costs Scale—and Which Don’t

What scales:

• Setup fees (spreads thinner)

• Freight per unit

• Packaging efficiency

What doesn’t:

• Fabric price (unless you hit wholesale MOQ)

• Trim costs (still custom? Still expensive)

• Labor (your garment still takes X minutes to sew)

If you want to start a clothing brand that’s profitable, learn what actually moves the needle.

Step 2: Ask for the

Right

Kind of Concessions

Instead of only pushing unit price, ask:

• Can I get free QC photos?

• Can labels be applied at no charge?

• Will you include hangtags or packaging?

• Can you split the 1000 into two delivery batches?

These value-adds might save more than a $0.18 drop ever could.

Inside Garment Sourcing 101, I show you how to build win-win asks suppliers actually say yes to.

Step 3: Factor in the Real Cost of That “Discount”

Let’s do some math:

• $0.18 x 1000 = $180 savings

• Minus your $50 sample refund = $230 benefit

But…

• Did you increase risk with more units?

• Will you sell them all?

• What’s your updated inventory cost?

Big orders don’t just add savings. They add exposure.

Step 4: Be Clear, Be Kind, Be Strategic

Factories respect clarity. Try:

“We’re looking at scaling to 1000 units. What kind of efficiencies or cost adjustments become possible at this volume?”

This keeps the tone respectful and puts the ball in their court.

Negotiation is a long-term dance. It’s not about squeezing—it’s about aligning.

Step 5: The Sample Fee Refund Is a Token, Not a Victory

You didn’t “win” the $50 refund. You were probably always getting it back.

It’s more:

• Symbolic goodwill

• A way to close the sale

• A sign they expect you to place the PO

Take it, thank them—and keep moving smartly.

TL;DR – MOQ Doesn’t Always Mean Mega Discounts

When you start a clothing brand, learn:

• What actually drives unit price down

• How to negotiate beyond just numbers

• That “value” often means extras—not cash

And yes—brace for the $0.18 special.

Final Word: Small Discounts, Big Lessons

The leap from 100 to 1000 units is big. The savings? Sometimes not so much.

But knowing what to ask for—and how to build long-term value—makes all the difference.

Garment Sourcing 101 walks you through:

• Supplier psychology

• Smart negotiation frameworks

• Real cost-saving strategies

👉 Take the course, skip the disappointment—and learn how to scale without overpaying or overestimating your leverage.