Put to: Simon Crompton, the suppliers being compared and a customs broker for import inputs.
Why buyers should ask: SIR’s published pricing distinguishes cloth tiers while stating full canvas as its default construction. That illustrates why a headline price is not a complete specification for comparison. It does not establish an average Vietnamese price or a saving against US tailoring. (sirtailor.com)
Draft answer framing: Ask the expert to compare actual quotations, not national averages. Use this proposed buyer worksheet:
| Cost or obligation | Vietnam commission | US alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Garment, cloth and construction | Quoted specification | Equivalent specification, or difference disclosed |
| Consultations and fittings | Included and additional fees | Included and additional fees |
| Delivery and import charges | Documented estimate; unresolved amounts flagged | Applicable delivery and taxes |
| Payment and currency costs | Actual payment route | Actual payment route |
| Local corrections | Responsibility and scenario allowance | Responsibility and scenario allowance |
| Incremental travel | Only travel caused by the commission | Relevant travel |
| Buyer time | Hours shown separately | Hours shown separately |
Proposed calculation: delivered cash cost equals garment, fitting, shipping, applicable import, payment/FX, alteration and incremental-travel costs, without double counting bundled charges.
Ask for the additional correction spend that would eliminate any initial price advantage. Do not assign probabilities to correction scenarios without evidence.
Expert quote: [Insert approved quotation.]