A founder once told me:
“We saved 15% on production—then lost 30% on returns.”
Last year, a startup activewear brand reached out after a product launch failed—not due to weak demand, but because production fell short.
The issues seemed minor:
• Pocket seams splitting
• Fabric pilling after washing
• Late bulk delivery
Individually, none were catastrophic.
Collectively, they shattered customer trust.
The founder spent months rebuilding confidence—only to realize:
The cheapest quote isn’t the cheapest option.
What warning signs do you watch for when selecting a factory?
