New shop owners often treat wholesale ordering like retail buying at a discount. It works differently: the supplier's MOQ, tier breaks, and dispatch time define your real cost per repair far more than the headline unit price. Here is how the mechanics work.
MOQ — what it really signals
An MOQ is rarely about production; it is about picking and packing economics. A supplier with a 5-piece MOQ on SIM trays and 10-piece MOQ on batteries is telling you their cost per parcel — work with that instead of fighting it. Trial MOQs exist precisely so you can test quality before committing.
Tier pricing — where the real money is
| Order size | Typical discount | What it means for stock |
|---|---|---|
| Trial (10–30 pcs) | List price | Quality testing across models |
| Tier 1 (50–99) | ~5–8% | Cover one model's fast movers |
| Tier 2 (100–299) | ~10–15% | Two-week stock for a busy shop |
| Tier 3 (300+) | Custom quote | Multi-shop or distributor volume |
The jump from trial to Tier 2 is usually the steepest value step — order fast-movers there and keep slow parts at trial volume until your ticket data proves demand.
Lead times — plan around dispatch, not delivery
Your effective lead time is order cut-off + dispatch + DHL transit. We dispatch paid orders same day before 17:00 China time, which turns a 3–5 day DHL lane into a reliable weekly replenishment cycle. Structure your first mixed order across our ports, cameras, and speakers to map your demand before scaling any single SKU.
FAQ
Can I mix models to reach a tier? Yes — tiers count total pieces, so mix SKUs to optimize both price and cash flow.