Use delivered cash cost, then show executive time separately. Our comparison method is:
Garment + fitting fees + shipping + applicable import charges + payment/FX costs + local alterations + incremental travel.
Include applicable domestic sales or use tax consistently where relevant; do not compare one tax-inclusive total with another pre-tax figure. Ask the relevant provider or authority to confirm unresolved tax treatment.
Worked example: how much correction headroom remains?
The following figures are illustrative assumptions, not supplier quotations, market averages or a duty estimate.
| Assumed cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Vietnam garment | $1,500 |
| Separate fitting fee | $100 |
| Shipping | $80 |
| Payment/FX cost | $30 |
| Planned local alterations | $150 |
| Import charges | I — unresolved |
| Incremental travel | $0 |
| Vietnam total | $1,860 + I |
| Comparable US alternative, assumed all-in | $2,300 |
| Remaining cash advantage | $440 − I |
An additional $400 correction would leave only $40 − I of advantage. Do not describe the purchase as cheaper while I remains unknown. Also show appointment and coordination hours separately rather than assigning every executive the same hourly value.