Every few months we hear from a buyer who lost money on a bad wholesale order. The pieces arrived looking nothing like the photos. The silver was thin and cheap. Or the order simply never arrived. This is the reality of sourcing from unfamiliar manufacturers, and most of it is avoidable.
These are the checks worth doing before placing any wholesale order, whether it is with us or with anyone else.
Ask for physical samples, not just photos
Photos can be touched up. A physical sample cannot. Before committing to a significant order, ask the manufacturer to produce a sample of the specific design you want to buy. Pay for the sample. Any serious manufacturer will offer this without hesitation.
When the sample arrives, check the weight (heavier generally means more silver), the finish, the stone setting if there is one, and whether any solder joints are visible. These details tell you more than a hundred product photos ever will.
Check the silver purity
925 sterling silver should have a 925 hallmark stamped on every piece. If the supplier cannot guarantee this, move on. In Indonesia, reputable manufacturers are certified and tested. Ask any potential supplier to show you documentation of their certification before you commit.
Verify that they actually manufacture
Some businesses that call themselves manufacturers are actually trading companies. They buy from a factory, add a markup, and resell to you. This is not always a problem, but it means you have less control over quality and lead times when something goes wrong.
Ask to see photos of the actual workshop. Ask if you can visit in person. A real manufacturer will not hesitate to show you.
Look at how fast they communicate
How long do they take to answer your first inquiry? If it takes three days to get a reply to a basic question before you have even placed an order, imagine how long it will take when there is a problem with a shipment.
Reliable manufacturers answer specific questions specifically. Vague promises and slow responses at the inquiry stage do not improve once they have your money.
Check their export track record
Ask how long they have been exporting and to which countries. Ask if they can provide the HS code for their products, which you will need for your import calculations. Ask about their documentation process. A manufacturer that has never exported before will make paperwork mistakes that cost you time and money on your end.
Start with a test order
Your first order with any new supplier should be a test order. Keep it small, even if you qualify for better pricing at a higher quantity. You are buying information about how they operate. Once you have that information, you can scale with confidence.