Class A vs B vs C: Choosing the right sourcing model for your SA business
A practical guide to BestDealz's tri-class sourcing model — and how to pick the one that matches your speed, price and risk tolerance.
Why three classes?
Most marketplaces dump every product into one funnel — but importing a 40-foot container is fundamentally different from buying a single power bank off the shelf. We split products into three classes so the experience matches the reality.
Each class has its own lead time, payment flow, return policy and risk profile. As a buyer, the most important decision you'll make on BestDealz isn't which product — it's which class.
Class A — Ready to Ship
What it is: products physically held in our Johannesburg warehouse. You order today, we dispatch today (before 14:00 SAST).
Best for
- Urgency — when you need product this week, not next month
- Small businesses without import capacity
- Test purchases before committing to a bulk order
- Items where shipping cost vs unit price is favourable
The numbers
| Metric | Class A |
|---|---|
| Lead time | 2–5 business days |
| MOQ | None (buy 1 if you want) |
| Return window | 14 days, unopened |
| Warranty handling | BestDealz SA team |
| Shipping | Free over R 1,500 |
Class B — Direct Import
What it is: sourced direct from a Chinese factory. We negotiate the order, manage the freight, clear customs and deliver to your door — all priced in Rand, all in.
Best for
- Volume orders — typically 50+ units
- Lowest possible unit price
- Items that aren't economical to stock locally
- OEM / private-label production
The numbers
| Metric | Class B |
|---|---|
| Lead time | 25–45 days door-to-door |
| MOQ | 10–100 units (per product) |
| Customs/VAT | Included in price |
| Returns | Trade Assurance dispute |
| Avg saving vs Class A | 30–55% |
Class C — SA Drop-Ship
What it is: third-party SA suppliers ship directly to you. We handle the order, payment escrow and dispute resolution.
Best for
- Niche items not in our warehouse
- Local specialty products (handmade, regional brands)
- Faster delivery than Class B but wider catalogue than Class A
The numbers
| Metric | Class C |
|---|---|
| Lead time | 5–10 business days |
| MOQ | Per-supplier (usually 1) |
| Payment | Held in escrow until delivery |
| Return path | Via the supplier with BestDealz fallback |
Side-by-side comparison
| Class A | Class B | Class C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed | ★★★★★ | ★★ | ★★★★ |
| Unit price | ★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★ |
| Catalogue size | ★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| MOQ flexibility | ★★★★★ | ★★ | ★★★★ |
| Return ease | ★★★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★★ |
How to choose
Use these three questions to triage your decision:
- Do you need it within 7 days? → Class A (or Class C if it's not in our warehouse)
- Are you buying 50+ units? → Class B almost always wins on price
- Is this a one-off niche item? → Class C is built for this
Can I mix classes in one cart?
Yes. You can have Class A, B and C items in the same order. At checkout, you'll see one consolidated total but each shipment is tracked separately. Each retains its own lead time and return policy.
Submit an RFQ if you'd like our sourcing team to recommend the best class for a specific product or volume.
Want us to source this for you?
Submit an RFQ — our sourcing team will return 3 supplier quotes within 24 business hours, all-in landed price.
Submit RFQ →