When you’re sourcing cashmere for the first time, you probably have these concerns:
- Is this supplier reliable?
- Is the price too high?
- Will the bulk order match the sample?
- Will they be responsive when I need to reorder?
These concerns are valid. Cashmere is a high-ticket category—your sourcing decisions directly impact your cash flow and customer trust. Choose the wrong supplier, and you risk excess inventory or damaged reputation.
After 20 years in the cashmere industry, I’ve seen too many buyers learn hard lessons. Today I’m sharing 5 essential questions to help you quickly assess whether a supplier is worth your time and money.
Question 1: What’s your MOQ? Can I split by color and size?
Why it matters: MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity) directly affects your capital risk.
Many suppliers quote “MOQ 100 pcs,” but when you dig deeper—is that 100 pcs per color, or 100 pcs per style? Can you split colors and sizes?
What you want to hear:
- MOQ 50 pcs per style, with color/size splitting allowed
- Lower MOQ for in-stock styles (10-30 pcs)
- Custom orders with clear small-batch trial options
Red flags:
- MOQ 300+ with no flexibility
- Unwilling to do trial orders
- Vague about MOQ details
Question 2: What’s the lead time from sample to delivery? Will peak season cause delays?
Why it matters: Lead times determine whether you can catch the selling season.
Cashmere production involves yarn sourcing, knitting, finishing, and QC—each stage can have issues. A reliable supplier gives you a clear timeline, not “about two weeks.”
What you want to hear:
- Sampling: 7-14 days
- Bulk production: 30-45 days (off-peak), 45-60 days (peak season)
- Clear communication about current production schedule
- Proactive reminders about peak season planning
Red flags:
- Vague lead time answers
- Unwilling to commit to specific dates
- No mention of peak season delays
Question 3: Do you have in-stock color cards? Or is custom dyeing required?
Why it matters: Stock colors vs. custom dyeing means very different costs and lead times.
Stock colors mean the supplier uses these regularly—yarn is available, production is faster. Custom dyeing requires minimum quantities (usually 50kg+) and longer lead times.
What you want to hear:
- Complete color card with stock colors marked
- Stock colors available for small-batch quick orders
- Custom dyeing with clear MOQ and timeline
Red flags:
- No stock colors, everything requires custom dyeing
- Avoiding color MOQ questions
- Significant color variation between sample and bulk
Question 4: How do you ensure quality consistency? What happens if there are issues?
Why it matters: Cashmere is mass-produced—batch variation is normal. The key is whether the supplier has quality control systems.
What you want to hear:
- Clear QC standards and processes
- Third-party test reports available (SGS, ITS, etc.)
- Clear return/exchange policy for defective goods
- Factory visits or video audits possible
Red flags:
- “We’ve been doing this for years, trust us”—but no specific standards
- No test reports provided
- Shifting blame when issues arise
Question 5: Can you share previous customer references?
Why it matters: Existing customers are the best validation.
A reliable supplier won’t have only you as a customer. Ask about brands and boutiques they’ve worked with—any case studies they can share.
What you want to hear:
- Willing to share case studies (anonymized if needed)
- Long-term customer relationships
- Customer testimonials or recommendations
Red flags:
- “Confidentiality” as excuse for no information
- All customers are “in discussion,” none confirmed
- Overpromising without examples
One Extra Tip: Start Small, Then Scale
No matter how good a supplier sounds, start with a small batch on your first order.
- Order 50-100 pcs first to test quality, lead time, and service
- Complete one full cycle before increasing volume
- Long-term partnerships are built on multiple validations
Summary
When sourcing cashmere for the first time, don’t just look at price. These 5 questions help you quickly assess supplier reliability:
- What’s the MOQ? Can I split colors and sizes?
- What’s the lead time? Will peak season cause delays?
- Do you have stock color cards or require custom dyeing?
- How do you ensure quality consistency?
- Can you share customer references?
After these 5 questions, you’ll have a clear picture of whether this supplier is worth your partnership.
About Cawoolyang
We’re a cashmere wholesale supplier specializing in low MOQ (50 pcs minimum), color/size splitting, stock color cards, and third-party quality testing. For first-time partnerships, we recommend starting with a small trial order—build trust before scaling.