Factory-direct buying is not only about removing a trading layer. For sauna importers, distributors, builders, and project buyers, the useful saving comes from controlling the specification before the quote is issued: wood grade, heater route, glass scope, packing method, and the number of revisions before production.
| Cost field | What to check | Why it changes the quote |
|---|---|---|
| Wood and finish | Red cedar, thermo hemlock, hemlock, thermo pine, pine, hinoki, Japanese cedar, or rustic cedar. | Wood species and grade can change both material cost and exterior durability. |
| Heater and voltage | EU 220-240V or 380-415V, US/Canada 110-120V or 208/220-240V, UK 230V, Southeast Asia/Oceania 220-240V. | Incorrect voltage creates rework, certification questions, and after-sale risk. |
| Glass and door | Full glass, panoramic window, side glass, sliding door, or standard hinged door. | Tempered glass area affects packing, frame detail, and breakage protection. |
| Packing | Flat pack, crate, pallet, accessory box, spare glass, labels, and manuals. | Packing method affects CBM, loading plan, and claims risk. |
| Line | Buyer input | Factory confirmation |
|---|---|---|
| Target model | Model code, image, capacity, and exterior size. | Structure, bench layout, and door/glass direction. |
| Market route | Country, voltage, certification expectation, and installation setting. | Heater package, label language, and document file. |
| Commercial basis | Sample or bulk order, MOQ, target delivery window, FOB or landed-cost review. | Production slot, packing list, and quote validity. |
| After-sale file | Manual, spare parts, warranty terms, and replacement glass plan. | Buyer handoff file before shipment. |
Buyer comparison workfile
Factory-direct savings should be measured as a complete order file, not only as a lower unit price. Use this worksheet to compare what each quote includes, what is still open, and which saving may create risk after production, shipping, installation, or after-sales support.
| Comparison field | Buyer input to collect | Factory confirmation needed | Risk if missing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model scope | Model code, exterior size, capacity, glass direction, bench layout, and whether the buyer needs sample, catalog SKU, or project unit. | Drawing basis, repeatability, and which changes create new cost. | Suppliers may quote different rooms under the same model name. |
| Wood and material file | Red cedar, thermo hemlock, hemlock, thermo pine, pine, hinoki, Japanese cedar, rustic cedar, coating need, and document request. | Material option, certificate or import record availability, surface tone, and maintenance note. | Low first price can hide a lower wood grade, weaker exterior protection, or missing document evidence. |
| Heater and voltage | Destination market, voltage, phase, heater kW, controller, stones, manual language, and local electrical review owner. | Heater route, label language, packing position, and whether the quote includes the complete package. | Wrong heater assumption can remove the saving through rework, delay, or after-sales risk. |
| Packing and CBM | Flat pack or assembled pack, crate, pallet, glass protection, accessory carton, spare glass, and label method. | Carton count, CBM estimate, loading plan, and inspection photo set. | A cheaper unit price may lose value when CBM, glass breakage risk, or claims handling is weak. |
| MOQ and sample policy | Sample order, distributor start quantity, mixed-container plan, repeat order forecast, and launch timing. | MOQ logic, production slot, quote validity, and which options can be mixed. | Buyer may approve a sample that cannot scale into a clean container program. |
| Document and after-sales scope | Certificate question, manual, spare parts, warranty terms, replacement glass, service photos, and customer handover file. | Document map, spare-part route, warranty boundary, and evidence needed before shipment. | Savings disappear when the dealer has no parts, no manual, or no claim evidence after delivery. |
| Buyer type | Where savings usually appear | How to keep the saving real |
|---|---|---|
| Importer or distributor | Mixed-container cost, repeat SKU stability, dealer margin, spare parts, and landed-cost planning. | Use model, packing, CBM, document, and warranty fields before comparing factories. |
| Dealer showroom | Sample quality, display finish, customer explanation, installation notes, and reorder speed. | Keep sample changes limited so the showroom model can become a repeat SKU. |
| Hotel, gym, spa, or resort | Operating use, heater route, documentation, maintenance, and project handover. | Compare total project readiness, not only sauna body price. |
| Private-label buyer | Logo, manual, label, carton, accessory kit, MOQ, and version control. | Confirm what can change without creating a new drawing or new packaging cost. |
| Builder or project buyer | Site dimensions, electrical route, unloading, installation owner, and handover photos. | Tie savings to fewer revisions and fewer field surprises. |
Practical rule: A good factory-direct quote separates sauna body, heater package, material evidence, packing method, optional accessories, document scope, and after-sales file. If two quotes do not separate those items, they are not ready for a fair price comparison.
Use this page as a worksheet before asking for revised pricing. The useful comparison is not the cheapest first number; it is whether the quoted scope can be produced, packed, shipped, installed, and supported without hidden changes.
| Buyer field | What to record | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Price basis | FOB port, sample price, bulk price, quote validity. | Avoid comparing different commercial assumptions. |
| Technical scope | Wood, heater, voltage, glass, roof, benches, controller. | Prevents price changes after buyer approval. |
| Packing scope | Crate, pallet, glass protection, accessory box, labels. | Protects landed cost and claim handling. |
| Support scope | Manual, spare parts, warranty boundary, inspection evidence. | Clarifies after-sale responsibility. |