Most problems in wholesale hair buying start before anything ships: a vague request gets a vague quote, two suppliers quote different things under the same name, and the first time anyone notices is when the order arrives. A clear inquiry won’t remove every risk, but it makes quotes comparable and gives you something concrete to hold a supplier to.
Preparing a wholesale hair inquiry
Think of your inquiry as a short brief. It doesn’t need to be long, but it should let someone who has never spoken to you understand what you want to buy, roughly how much, and when.
- Who you are. A salon, independent stylist, beauty supply store, brand, or online seller. This shapes what “wholesale” realistically means for you.
- What you want. The product types (bundles, closures, frontals, wigs, extensions, braiding hair) and the specifications below, as precisely as you can.
- How much. A first-order estimate broken down by specification where possible — “10 × 18-inch, 10 × 20-inch” is far more useful than “20 bundles”.
- When and where. The date you need the hair in hand and the destination country.
- What matters most. Price, consistency between orders, a particular texture, speed — saying which one you’d trade the others for helps a supplier steer you honestly.
It’s fine not to know everything. “Not sure yet” is a legitimate answer, and a good supplier will ask follow-up questions. What causes trouble is leaving important details implied.
Specifications to clarify
Hair is sold under a lot of shorthand. The same word can mean different things from different sellers, so for each item, confirm the specification in plain words and — ideally — in writing.
Product type and construction
- Bundles / wefts: how the weft is made (for example machine-sewn or hand-tied), and how much the weft may shed at the seam.
- Closures and frontals: the lace or base size (sizes such as 4×4, 5×5 or 13×4 are commonly quoted, but confirm the actual measurements), the base material, and whether hair is pre-plucked or bleached at the knots.
- Wigs: cap construction, lace area, cap size options, density, and whether it’s pre-styled.
- Extensions: the attachment method — clip-in, tape-in, keratin-tip, micro-ring/I-tip, weft — and the weight per set or pack.
- Braiding hair: whether it’s supplied loose (often called “bulk”) or prepared another way, and the weight per pack.
Length
Ask how length is measured. Curly and wavy hair is often measured stretched straight, so a curly 18-inch bundle can look noticeably shorter than a straight one. Also ask whether lengths are exact or within a tolerance, and how many hairs in a bundle reach the stated length — see “single drawn” and “double drawn” below.
Texture
Texture names (straight, body wave, loose wave, deep wave, kinky straight, kinky curly and so on) are descriptive, not standardised. One supplier’s “deep wave” may be another’s “loose curl”. Ask for photos or video of the specific product, and say how you’ll use it — for example whether the texture needs to hold after washing.
Colour
Clarify whether you’re buying natural (uncoloured) hair or a specific shade, and how shades are identified. Number systems such as “1B” are widely used, but shades can vary between suppliers and between lots. If you plan to lighten or colour the hair yourself, say so and ask whether that’s suitable for the product.
Weight and fullness
- Weight per bundle or pack. Bundles are often sold around a conventional weight, but conventions aren’t universal — confirm the actual grams per unit.
- Single drawn vs. double drawn. These terms usually describe how many shorter hairs have been removed so that more of the bundle reaches full length. Ask what the supplier means and what the result looks like at the ends.
- Density (wigs). Densities are often quoted as percentages, such as 150% or 180%, but there’s no single agreed scale. Ask for photos of the density you’re considering.
A note on labels and grades
You’ll see terms like virgin, raw, Remy, and grades such as “8A” to “12A”. There is no single industry-wide standard or independent body that defines and enforces these labels. Suppliers use them in different ways, and grades in particular are often set by the seller rather than measured against an external benchmark.
That doesn’t make the labels meaningless, but it does mean you should treat them as the start of a question rather than the answer. In general usage:
- “Virgin” is usually meant to indicate hair that hasn’t been chemically processed — for example not coloured, permed, or chemically textured. Ask exactly what processing, if any, the hair has had.
- “Raw” is often used for hair described as minimally processed. Meanings vary widely, so ask what it means for this product specifically.
- “Remy” usually refers to hair collected and kept with the cuticles aligned in one direction, which is associated with less tangling. Ask how alignment is maintained.
Whatever labels are used, ask for a written description of the actual product and keep it with your order records.
Evaluating samples
If samples are available, they’re the most direct way to check a product before ordering in volume. Before you request them, ask whether the sample will come from the same source or production lot as a bulk order, and what the terms are. Then evaluate them deliberately, and write down what you find.
- Check against the specification. Measure the length, weigh the bundle or pack, and compare the colour and texture with what was described.
- Look at the ends. Compare how much of the hair reaches the stated length with what you were told.
- Check the weft or base. Gently run your fingers along the weft or comb near the base to see how much hair comes loose. Some shedding is normal; a lot isn’t.
- Wash and dry it. Wash the sample as your clients would, then note any change in texture, softness, tangling, odour, or colour run-off.
- Test what you’ll actually do. If you’ll heat-style, colour, or install it in a particular way, test that on part of the sample.
- Keep a record. Photos before and after, and a short note per sample, make comparisons between suppliers much easier — and give you a reference if a later order differs.
Questions to ask a wholesale hair supplier
Useful questions whether you’re speaking to one supplier or comparing several wholesale hair vendors:
- What exactly is this product? Can you describe it in plain words, not just a grade or label?
- How is length measured, and what tolerance should I expect?
- What is the actual weight per bundle, pack, or set?
- Has the hair been processed in any way — coloured, chemically textured, steamed, coated, or treated?
- What can you tell me about where and how the hair was collected, and what documentation can you share?
- Will a bulk order match the sample? How do you keep lots consistent across reorders?
- What is the minimum order for this item, and does it change by length or texture?
- What is the time to prepare the order, and separately, the shipping time?
- What happens if an order arrives damaged, short, or different from the agreed specification?
- Which costs are included in the quote, and which (shipping, duties, fees) are extra?
Clear, specific, written answers are a good sign. Vague answers to specific questions are worth noting too.
Quantity, budget, and delivery planning
Quantity
Base your first order on what you can realistically sell or use in a reasonable period, broken down by length and texture. Many buyers start with a smaller trial order to test a product with real clients before committing to volume. If you expect to reorder, say so — consistency between orders may matter more to you than the lowest first price.
Budget
Compare suppliers on landed cost, not unit price alone. Landed cost typically includes:
- the unit price for each specification you’re buying;
- shipping and insurance;
- import duties, taxes, and any customs broker fees, which depend on your country;
- payment and currency-conversion fees;
- an allowance for any hair that doesn’t meet your standard.
Sharing a target budget in your inquiry is not a commitment; it simply helps a supplier suggest specifications that fit your margins.
Delivery
Ask for the time to prepare the order and the shipping time separately, and build in a buffer for customs. Import rules and costs for hair products vary by country, so check requirements with your local customs authority or a customs broker before you order, especially for a first shipment.
Processing, sourcing, and consistency
These are the areas where marketing claims are most common and hardest for a buyer to verify, so it pays to be specific.
Processing
Hair can be treated in various ways before sale — for example to change texture, colour, or how it feels to the touch. Some treatments are entirely acceptable for some uses; the problem is not knowing. Ask directly whether any colouring, chemical texturising, steaming, coating, or other finishing has been applied, and how the hair is expected to behave after washing.
Sourcing
If where and how hair was collected matters to you or your customers, ask what the supplier can tell you and what documentation they can provide for the specific product. Be cautious of broad claims that can’t be supported with specifics, and avoid repeating claims to your own customers that you can’t substantiate yourself.
Consistency
For salons and brands, the second order matters as much as the first. Ask how lots are identified, whether you can reference a previous order when you reorder, and how differences between lots are handled. Keeping your own sample records makes these conversations much easier.
Checklist: before you send an inquiry
- Product types and construction
- Lengths, with quantities per length
- Textures, described in your own words
- Colour, and whether you’ll colour or lighten it
- Other specifications: lace size, density, weight, attachment method
- Estimated first-order quantity and expected reorders
- Target budget and currency
- Date needed and destination country
- Whether you want samples first
- Anything you need documented about processing or sourcing
When you’re ready, you can send your requirements through our quote request form. Only a few fields are required, and availability, pricing, and order terms are confirmed individually. For quick answers about how inquiries work, see the FAQ.