A bulk order is a bigger commitment than a regular retail purchase, and most of the problems that come up afterward could have been avoided by asking a handful of questions upfront. Here are the five worth going through before you confirm any wholesale order.

1. Is the MOQ per style, per colour, or per order?

This changes your total order size dramatically. A "500 MOQ" style with seven colourways could mean 500 pieces total, or 500 pieces per colour — a 14x difference in commitment. Get this confirmed in writing before you calculate your budget.

2. How is the colour-way split decided?

If a style comes in multiple colours, ask whether you can choose your own split (say, more black and nude, less of a niche shade) or whether the supplier ships an equal split across all colours by default. An equal split sounds fair but often doesn't match how your specific customers actually buy.

3. What packaging is included, and what costs extra?

Check specifically whether the quoted price includes individual polybags, hangtags, barcode stickers, and any branding you might want added. These are usually available but frequently quoted separately from the base per-piece price, so confirm the full landed cost, not just the headline number.

4. What's the realistic lead time from confirmed order to dispatch?

Ask for a specific timeframe, not a general "few weeks." Lead times can stretch meaningfully around festive season when manufacturers are running at capacity, so if you're ordering ahead of a seasonal peak, build in extra buffer time and confirm it explicitly rather than assuming standard timelines will hold.

5. What are the payment terms, and what happens if something's wrong on arrival?

Understand the advance percentage required, when the balance is due, and — importantly — what the process is if a portion of the order arrives with a quality issue. A supplier who can answer this clearly and specifically is generally one who has a real process in place, rather than one making it up as questions come.

None of these questions are unusual or awkward to ask. A supplier who answers them clearly and specifically, before you've paid anything, is a good early signal about how the rest of the relationship will go.

Quick checklist

  • MOQ structure confirmed (per style / per colour / per order)
  • Colour-way split agreed, not just defaulted to equal
  • Packaging inclusions and costs itemised
  • Specific lead time confirmed, with seasonal buffer if relevant
  • Payment terms and quality-issue process both clear before advance payment