Sourcing & quality control

Every step visible, every approval in writing

Problems cost little to fix early and a lot at the port. So nothing in your order moves forward until you have seen the last step and agreed to it. This is the journey every order follows, whatever the product.

Your order, from beginning to end

Ten steps, with your approval

Brief

We write down what you want: item, material, size, quantity, target price, season, market.

You seeYou confirm the written brief.

Next step starts whenYou confirm the brief in writing.

Sample search

We find three or more makers, check their registration, visit or video-call them, and collect photos and indicative prices.

You seeA shortlist with photos, location and what each maker can really make.

Next step starts whenYou choose the makers to sample, or ask us to look again.

Sample making and sending

The maker works to a written specification. We check the sample before it leaves and send it with tracking.

You seePhotos and measurements before dispatch, the tracking number, the sample cost and who pays.

Next step starts whenThe sample reaches you.

Sample approval

We collect your feedback, get corrections made and agree the variation limits for handmade work. Both sides keep a sealed reference sample.

You seeRevised sample photos and a written approval or a list of corrections.

Next step starts whenYou approve the sample and the variation limits in writing.

Price and terms

We negotiate with the maker and quote at several volumes, with minimum order, lead time, payment stages and shipping terms.

You seeThe cost breakdown, quotes for several volumes, our fee, and a landed cost estimate.

Next step starts whenYou accept price and terms in writing.

Order confirmation

The order is issued with the signed specification, packing standard and dated schedule.

You seeThe signed spec sheet, the packing standard and the schedule.

Next step starts whenBoth sides sign and the first payment stage is made.

Production follow-up

We check the material, approve a pre-production sample, update you weekly and check the goods at about half way.

You seeWeekly status with photos. The schedule shows planned and actual dates.

Next step starts whenThe pre-production sample and the mid-production check pass.

Inspection and packing

We inspect against the specification and variation limits, and check packing and marking.

You seeAn inspection report, photos, measurements and pictures of the packed cartons.

Next step starts whenThe report is PASS or PASS WITH CONDITIONS and you agree to ship.

Shipping and documents

We book freight and prepare the invoice, packing list, origin papers and certificates.

You seeCopies of the documents before departure and tracking to arrival.

Next step starts whenYou or your clearing agent have checked the documents.

Delivery and after-sales

We confirm receipt and handle any claim against the record we kept. Then we plan the next order with you.

You seeDelivery confirmation and a proposal for the next order.

Next step starts whenFinal payment is made and you have given feedback.

The forms we use

The same documents on every order

These are extracts of the forms. You receive them filled in, for your own order.

Order spec sheet

Item and article no.
Material (fibre, wood, alloy, finish)
Size and weight (with tolerance)
Colour reference (swatch held by both)
Handmade variation (photos: accepted / not)
Packing standard
Delivery date
Signed (buyer, maker)

Inspection report

1 Quantity and packing (counted)
2 Sampling (AQL table)
3 Measurements vs spec (5 pieces min.)
4 Appearance, colour (vs approved sample)
5 Documents, test reports (ready?)
6 Photos (11-point checklist)
Result: PASS, FAIL or CONDITIONS

Time schedule

Order and spec signed
Material ready
Pre-production sample
Mid-production check
Inspection
Loaded, shipped
Delivered

Each: planned / actual

Handmade, with agreed limits

What is normal and what is not

Handmade goods are never identical. Before production, you and the maker agree in writing how much variation is acceptable. The inspection checks against that agreement. These are the properties we agree for each product; the limits are set with you and the maker for the item.

Property	Normal for handmade	Not acceptable
Colour shade	Slight difference between pieces in the same lot	A shade outside the agreed range from the swatch
Size	Within the agreed tolerance	Outside the range
Pattern or print placement	Small shifts typical of block print or hand work	Cut-off design, double print
Surface	Light tool marks, natural grain	Cracks, stains, rust, loose joints
Weight	Within the agreed tolerance	Obviously lighter material
Finish	Hand-finish variation	Peeling, sticky surface, chemical smell

Price and our fee

You see where every rupee and dollar goes

For each item you receive the maker's cost breakdown (material, labour, finishing, packing, maker's margin) and quotes from several makers for the same specification. Goods are exported through a licensed exporter whose small margin appears as its own line. We take nothing from makers and add no mark-up.

Months 1 and 2

No monthly fee

You pay only the expenses of sourcing and development: travel, samples, courier. Each expense is approved by you in writing before we spend it.

From month 3

US$1,500 a month

Plus travel at actual cost, approved in advance. This covers product search, maker checks and regular follow-up.

On goods exported

5 to 7%

Commission on the value of goods exported, depending on volume. Shown on our own invoice, separate from the maker's price.

Our target: at least 20% less than you pay today

Buying directly from the maker often costs much less than buying through a trading exporter. Before you order, we show the comparison: the price you pay now against the maker's cost breakdown plus our fees. If the saving is not there, we tell you and you do not order.

Why the lowest quote is not always the lowest cost

What counts is the cost of each piece you can actually sell. Price divided by the share of pieces that pass inspection.

Example only, not a quote	Cheap quote	Quote with inspection
Price per piece	90	100
Pieces that pass out of 100	80	100
Cost per good piece	112.50	100.00

The monthly fee suits importers who order regularly. For a smaller or first order, ask us about a commission-only arrangement.

The first move

Start with a small trial order

Tell us what you are looking for. We send you the makers and samples before you commit to anything.