My business partner contacted a manufacturer in China recently to purchase some MMA vests and shorts, for use as a trial run in an upcoming summer training program. The plan is to phase in the new styled regime to the entire martial arts school that we manage. So, small order now - get a few samples and test them out; when we have decided on the design, place bigger order later.

The manufacturer claim to have a minimum order of 5.

She contacted a sale rep for a trial order of half a dozen. The sales woman was about the most un-forthcoming sales individual I have ever come across.

After 6 emails we got no details on shipping, was not offered fabric weights, colours, stitching types, what they have on special. She asked my partner to send her a custom design, but doesn't tell us information on file formats, versions. Still no information on costs on labour in terms of any computational needs, no info on turn around time, etc.

I think she was letting us know slowly that she had no interest in small orders.

And that was the best of the few that we had contacted!!


Alibaba has come a long way since we came here last year, but this time I am just as thoroughly disappointed.

Can anyone recommend us a contact for small runs of MMA clothing?