Your factory bills you for 4 sample rounds. You didn't plan for 4.
The hidden risk
Most factories quote sample one as the 'real' first round and quietly cycle 2-4 rounds before approval. Designers don't catch it because they think samples are 'just part of the process.'
How to judge
Set a target round count per style (2 for most, 3 for complex). Bill extra rounds as exceptions, not as default.
What the supplier must provide
Quote sample rounds per style upfront — and refund or credit rounds past target.
How DONGFAN handles it
DONGFAN commits sample rounds per style upfront — most DONGFAN styles reach approval in two rounds; multi-detail styles in three. Anything beyond is credited.
Buyer checklist
- Set sample round target per style
- Audit factory round claims
- Track rounds per style
- Bill extras as exceptions
- Compare factory round history
- Walk the process, not just the sample