Solid t-shirts, particularly plain white tees, are typically much less expensive than t-shirts made with patterned fabric or specialty dye processes. Similarly, tees with trim or details tend to cost extra versus their plain counterparts. Those details can really make a project, so the extra few cents may be worth it. But, if the lowest possible price is what you’re after, sticking to solid fabrics in basic unisex cuts or tank tops is the way to go.
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If you plan to have your t-shirts printed, don’t forget that certain fabrics or colors may be more expensive or time consuming to decorate. Getting the wrong shirt for your job – even if it’s the lowest price—is not going to save you money in the long run.
Dark shirts often require an underbase (extra layer of ink) or more ink coverage for the finished artwork to show up. This may require an extra screen and increase printing costs. Be sure to ask your print shop for advice or read the instruction manual for your machine if you’re a DIY decorator. Buying the correct tee will help lower production costs and save time in the end.
T-shirt manufacturers produce a variety of styles to satisfy price-conscious bulk buyers. Just because you’re aiming for something inexpensive doesn’t necessarily mean you’re limited to short-sleeved tubular shirts. These are popular low-price tees across various styles and fabric types:
Getting your shirts in one single order can pay off—literally! If you can, gather all the size and quantity information for your t-shirt project up front. Then place a single order for the shirts you need. Consolidating into one purchase will save you money on shipping and packing costs. It will also help maximize any bulk discount program offered by your supplier.
Speaking of bulk discount programs… If you are shopping for blank tees from a big box store, you are missing out on this HUGE way to save. Wholesale t-shirt suppliers like CSO offer rich discounts for customers who purchase in large quantities.
Check for bulk discounts before placing your order to find the lowest per-piece price for your tees. You may save a ton of money by combining a few orders into one purchase, or by getting a couple extra shirts to hit the next discount tier.
Pro Tip: Our bulk discount program starts at $110 and the savings appear automatically in your cart. You could save up to 15% on your entire order!
Sometimes getting t-shirts delivered can be more expensive than the garments themselves! Particularly if you need expedited delivery, prepare to pay extra. The good news is that if you’re not in a rush, wholesale t-shirt suppliers often give free ground shipping once you meet a certain purchase threshold.
Pro Tip: CSO orders $50+ ship for free, with fast delivery. It pays to take advantage of those savings!
It pains us to say it, but there can be a LOT of fine print in the wholesale apparel industry. Make sure to read retailers’ customer service policies to avoid hidden costs. Some companies offer a low price per-shirt, but tack on fees for everything from packing your order to processing returns. And don’t even get us started on order minimums! Some online shops charge you extra if you don’t meet a certain purchase threshold.
We don’t do that stuff at CSO. There’s no minimum order, returns are free for 30 days and we’ll never charge you extra money to pack your order.
Social media is a great place to find inspiration. But buyers beware when it comes to purchasing tees from strangers online.
We’re increasingly hearing about scammers who target bulk t-shirt buyers on Facebook, Instagram and even TikTok. It works like this: a scammer messages people offering shirts at unbelievably low prices. Catch is, they insist on payment via methods like cash apps or wire transfer—methods that leave buyers with little protection from fraud. Once the funds are transferred, the money is gone along with the scammer’s social media profile, leaving unsuspecting t-shirt buyers high and dry.
You can save a lot of money and heartache by purchasing bulk tees from reputable companies who stand by their business practices. CSO is proud to be certified by The Better Business Bureau, and we offer consumers protection through secure payment methods, free returns, and an outstanding US-based customer service team.
The high cost of clothing can be staggering, whether you're seeking out the latest trends or looking for more classic, functional styles. No matter where you're shopping, from specialty stores in your local mall or the chicest boutique in town, you'll find designer jeans priced at $300, handbags made in Italy starting at more than $1,000, and wool pants priced anywhere from $35 to $500. The endless variety is enough to make your head spin and put a serious strain on your wallet.
So what's a frugal fashionista to do? To help make your clothing budget go a little farther, it helps to know how the fashion industry works and gain some insight into retail pricing practices.
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Normally, retailers (like Nordstrom, Ann Taylor, Intermix and the Gap) who sell to consumers purchase their goods from a manufacturer or distributor at a wholesale price that includes the cost of designing, manufacturing, and marketing, plus a reasonable profit. These manufacturers and distributors offer products spanning a huge spectrum of quality, materials, and promotion, from mass manufacturers like Liz Claiborne to luxury designer goods companies like LVMH (the company that makes Louis Vuitton apparel). Many goods feature a "Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price" that serves to present uniform pricing in the marketplace and build in an attractive margin for the retailer. The typical retail markup on fashion items ranges from 2.2 to 2.6 times their wholesale cost [source: Binkley].
Thankfully, the Internet has made shopping for bargains easier than ever. You can shop and compare prices at your favorite department store, retail chain, boutique or specialty store, even buy from trendy designers like Rebecca Taylor and Tory Burch. Grab a bargain at flash sale Web sites such as Ideeli and RueLaLa, or take your time checking out your favorite designers at Outnet or Bluefly. Shopstyle and ShopItToMe let you track your favorite brands and sizes, and send you emails when styles you might be interested in go on sale.
But why is it that you can pay more than $275 for a cashmere sweater at Neiman Marcus -- or bag a deal at Yoox for $120? Read on to learn more about how retail markups (and markdowns) are determined.
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Whether you're shopping at a local boutique or a large department store, clothing prices at retail are generally set at double the wholesale price. For example, if it costs $75 for a boutique owner to purchase a jacket from a wholesaler, he or she will double the price and mark it up to $150. This standard practice is known as keystone pricing. However, some retailers may choose a higher multiplier (typically between 2.2 and 2.5) depending on the cachet of the brand or the overall pricing strategy.
Retail markup is the difference between the wholesale price and the retail price as a percentage of the number on the tag; in the jacket example above, the markup is 50 percent, or half the retail price. You'll see markups that range from 50 to 80 percent in most boutiques and department stores. While these pricing strategies may seem outrageous, keep in mind that the markup goes to help the business owner pay for rent, insurance, salaries, advertising expenses, taxes, and other costs.
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Of course, not all merchandise is sold at its retail price. Having some flexibility in the profit margin allows clothing purveyors to reduce prices during special promotions, mark down merchandise that isn't selling quickly, and offer discounts to its most loyal customers, while still earning a reasonable profit.
When it comes to designer lines, the actual markup can be much higher, as advertising, celebrity endorsement and prestige help to drive up the prices set by manufacturers. Some luxury handbags come with an average markup of 10 to 12 times their actual price [source: Moore].
The denim market illustrates how a magic combination of cost, profit margins, and markup can result in similar products sold at a wide range of prices. What's the difference between a pair of designer denim and basic blue jeans? A pair of True Religion's latest "it" jeans cost $50 to make and wholesale for $152, while the average store price is $335. These jeans are made in the United States using a high quality fabric, then advertised and publicized as celebrity favorites. The jeans sold in Sears or Kohl's for less than $50 may be sewn overseas, where manufacturing costs are much lower using a less costly (but still good quality) fabric. The profit margin for luxury jeans is substantial, while jeans sold at Wal-Mart or Sears at much lower prices have gross profit margins of less than 20 percent [source: Binkley].
All in all, setting the right retail price is a bit of an art form, as it's the consumer who actually decides the correct selling price when he or she decides to purchase an item. Today, retailers use computer software to set prices, then determine when and how much the price will be reduced, depending upon what items are selling and when new merchandise is expected.
Next, let's take a look at a few ways smart shoppers avoid paying retail markup.
Shop AheadSometimes, it's not where you buy but when you buy that can save you big bucks. Savvy shoppers know that shoes go on sale in December and June when stores are getting ready for the next season's inventory to arrive; jeans are often offered at deep discounts in October after back-to-school promotions.
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So how can you shop 'til you drop, put together a chic wardrobe and still have money left in your wallet? Fortunately, there are many ways for savvy shoppers to avoid paying full retail prices:
So, now you have the inside scoop on why that great blouse costs what it does -- and some insight on how to save money before you plunk down your credit card. Check out the links on the next page for more information. Then, go out and find some great deals!
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