Me When They Say They’ll “Check with Their Partner First” — It’s a $75 Sample Fee (Start a clothing brand, they said…)

You quote a $75 sample fee.

And suddenly… silence.

A slow blink. A “Thanks, we’ll just check with our partner and get back to you.”

As if you just asked them to co-sign a mortgage.

As if $75 didn’t just buy them dinner and two cocktails last Friday.

If you’ve been here — supplier, agent, manufacturer, or even just a bystander at the other end of a WeChat group chat — you know this moment. It’s sacred. It’s tragic. It’s always followed by either ghosting… or a 1,200-word email about “reallocating budget.”

Avoid Becoming a Factory Meme

And look — I get it.

If you’re new to this, $75 might feel like a lot for “just a sample.” You haven’t seen the product yet. You’re still building your brand. Your partner might actually be real (shoutout to the ones who are).

But if the words “start a clothing brand” have ever passed your lips, it’s time for some lovingly blunt advice:

You cannot build a legit fashion brand on the same budget you used for Canva Pro and oat milk lattes.

Samples cost money. Good ones usually cost a little more.

And it’s not because suppliers are greedy — it’s because they’re working. Sampling is time, materials, testing, and setup. Even that $75 quote? Half the time, it’s not even profitable for them. It’s a filter.

A quiet way of asking:

“Are you serious?”

Because when you hesitate over a basic sample fee, what the factory often hears is:

“This person might not be ready to move forward.”

“This person might ask 19 follow-up questions and never place a bulk order.”

“This person thinks product development is like ordering sushi — fast, cheap, and delivered.”

I’ve been in the garment industry for 15+ years. I’ve seen every kind of client — the big dreamers, the hustlers, the perfectionists, the ghosters, the spreadsheet-obsessed, the logo-before-fabric folks.

And here’s the honest truth:

The ones who succeed are the ones who show up prepared — and who understand that sourcing costs money.

Not a lot. But some.

If $75 is the hill, your brand isn’t dying on — it’s stalling on it.

This is why I built Garment Sourcing 101 — to help you not be that client.

The one who gets ghosted because they ask too many vague questions.

The one who loses supplier trust before they’ve even seen a swatch.

The one who thinks “getting quotes” is the same as building a production plan.

Help Me Not Mess This up. (Please)

Garment Sourcing 101 is the survival guide I wish most new founders had.

It’s not fluff. It’s real-world workflows, email templates, what-to-say-when tips, and the exact mindset shift that separates “aspiring founder” from “brand in motion.”

Because here’s the thing most people forget when they start a clothing brand:

Your suppliers are deciding whether you’re worth it, too.

Not just the other way around.

If you show up with a blurry vision board, unclear expectations, and resistance to every dollar of spend — they’re going to move on.

To the founder who had a proper tech pack.

To the one who asked good questions.

To the one who didn’t flinch at a reasonable sample fee — because they understood it’s part of the process.

And no — this doesn’t mean you need a massive budget.

It just means you need to use it smartly.

Invest where it matters. A good sample isn’t a luxury — it’s a diagnostic tool. It tells you if your design is viable. If your communication was clear. If your supplier understood the brief.

You’re not just paying for a physical object.

You’re paying to test your process — and set the tone for the working relationship.

And honestly? The founder who’s willing to spend $75 on that has already passed one of the biggest tests in the supplier’s eyes:

You’re taking it seriously.

So if you’ve ever caught yourself hesitating at a sample fee, or uttering the immortal phrase, “Let me check with my partner” (when you are the partner)…

Let this be your sign: it’s time to get your sourcing game in order.

No shame. No judgement. Just a loving nudge to level up.

Because that brand you’ve been dreaming about?

It’s not built on perfect logos, mockups, or 6-month launch timelines.

It’s built on action. Preparedness. And yes — the occasional $75 sample fee.

If you’re ready to stop stalling and start sourcing like a pro, Garment Sourcing 101 is your next click.

I'd Like to Not Get Rinsed, Thanks

It’s not just about saving money. It’s about using it well.

And if your partner needs convincing… send them this. Or better yet — just be the kind of founder who doesn’t need permission to take the first step.