⌘K
GETTING STARTED
FIND — Get an Idea
VALIDATE — Hit PMF (Phase 3)
UNIT ECONOMICS — First (Phase 4)
SCALE — Build to ₹1L/mo
AI & AUTOMATION
ANALYTICS & DATA
FINANCE
TOOLS & CALCULATORS
RESOURCES
05 — Supply Chain
3+
Suppliers to Contact
Never rely on one
2-4 Weeks
Sourcing Timeline
Including samples
₹50-200
Sample Cost
Per supplier, per product
30-50 Units
First Order MOQ
Negotiate down from 200+
Search & Shortlist
Initial Contact
Quote Comparison
Sample Order
Quality Test
Negotiate & Contract
| Factor | Weight | Supplier A | Supplier B | Supplier C |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price per unit | 25% | ₹100 | ₹120 | ₹110 |
| MOQ | 15% | 200 | 50 | 100 |
| Quality score (1-5) | 25% | 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Lead time | 10% | 14 days | 21 days | 7 days |
| Communication | 10% | Slow | Fast | Average |
| Track record | 15% | New | 3+ years | 2 years |
| Weighted Total | 100% | 3.1 | 4.2 | 3.7 |
IndiaMART
B2B marketplace
10L+ suppliers
Filter by MOQ, location
Free to contact
Response time varies
Trade India
B2B directory
Good for niche categories
Verified supplier badges
Expo listings
Some outdated listings
Exhibitions
Physical sourcing events
Touch & feel products
Build relationships
Negotiate face-to-face
Limited to event schedule
India's textile capital. From sarees to dress materials to home textiles.
What to source: Sarees, dress materials, bedsheets, curtains
Where: Ring Road textile market, Sahara Darwaja
MOQ: 50-100 pieces (negotiable for first order)
GST: Most suppliers have GST; verify before paying
Pro tip: Visit in person for first contact; relationships matter
India's knitwear hub. T-shirts, innerwear, activewear, socks.
What to source: T-shirts, leggings, innerwear, socks
Where: Tiruppur export units, IndiaMART listings
MOQ: 100-300 pieces per design (lower for basic colors)
GST: Almost all export houses are GST-registered
Pro tip: Ask for "excess stock" or "cancelled orders" for smaller MOQ
Brass, copper, aluminum handicrafts. 600+ year old craft cluster.
What to source: Brass decor, copper bottles, metal lanterns
Where: Moradabad craft clusters, IndiaMART
MOQ: 30-50 pieces (handicraft units are flexible)
GST: Verify; some small artisans may not have it
Pro tip: Ask for "samples first, bulk later" — standard practice here
Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation hub for chemicals, soaps, cosmetics.
What to source: Cleaning products, cosmetics, private-label soaps
Where: GIDC estates, third-party manufacturers on IndiaMART
MOQ: 500-1,000 units (higher; negotiate for 200 on first order)
GST: Mandatory; verify before any advance
Pro tip: Ask for white-label / private-label manufacturing from day one
Send this via WhatsApp or email. Keep it short. Suppliers are busy.
Hi, I'm [Name], founder of [Brand Name], a new D2C brand in India.
I'm interested in [product name/category]. Can you share:
1. Price per unit for MOQ of [50/100] pieces
2. Sample cost and timeline
3. Customization options (logo, packaging, colors)
4. Your GST number
5. Payment terms for first order
I'm ready to order samples this week if terms work.
Thanks,
[Name]
[Phone]
[Brand Name]
Why it works: Specific numbers signal you're serious. Asking for GST weeds out ghost suppliers. Mentioning samples this week creates urgency.
"I want to start with 50 units to test market response. If it sells, I'll reorder 500 within 60 days. Can we do 50 first?"
Why it works: Suppliers fear one-time buyers. A reorder promise (even verbal) makes 50 units palatable.
"Your MOQ is 200 per color. Can I do 200 total across 3 colors instead of 600? Same total units, less risk for me."
Why it works: Their cost is in setup, not color. 200 total is often acceptable if you limit variants.
"Can I pay for 200 units but you ship 100 now and 100 in 30 days? I pay full now, you deliver in two batches."
Why it works: They get full payment and committed volume. You get lower inventory risk.
"I know 2 other D2C founders who want the same product. Can we combine for 300 units total and split 100 each?"
Why it works: Even if you don't have group orders ready, mentioning other buyers signals demand.
Advance Payment Trap: Supplier demands 50-100% advance before sample. Never pay more than 30% advance for first order.
Bait-and-Switch: Sample is perfect, bulk order is lower quality. Always inspect first batch thoroughly.
Fake MOQ: Quotes high MOQ (500+) to pressure you. Most suppliers will do 50-100 on first order if you ask.
Hidden Defects: First 50 units perfect, next 500 have defects. Inspect random samples from every batch.
Delivery Delays: Promises 7 days, delivers in 21. Always build 2x buffer into your launch timeline.
Ghost Suppliers: No physical address, only WhatsApp. Verify GST number and visit if possible.