How We Source & Ship Your Order
How We Source Your Items & What to Expect From Our Shipping Process
At Second Source, our mission is simple: to help you access highly sought-after fashion, footwear, accessories and lifestyle pieces that may be sold out, hard to find, overpriced or unavailable in the UK.
To make this possible, we fulfil orders using two main methods: Local Stock Shipping and Made-to-Order Sourcing. Each method depends on whether the item you order is already available at our local UK warehouse or needs to be sourced through our trusted international network.
This page explains exactly how our process works, what happens after you place an order, and when you can expect tracking updates.
1. Local Stock Orders
Some products on our site are already held at our local UK warehouse. These items are ready to ship much faster because they are already in our possession, inspected and prepared for dispatch.
To make this clear for customers, all local products are marked on the product images with a “Local Stock” sticker. This helps you easily identify which items are available for faster delivery before placing your order.
For local stock items, shipping typically takes:
2–3 working days
Once your order is processed, we will dispatch it using the shipping method selected at checkout. Tracking will be provided once your parcel has been prepared and handed over for delivery.
2. Made-to-Order Sourcing
If an item is not currently available in our UK warehouse, your order will be fulfilled through our Made-to-Order Sourcing process.
After you place an order, our backend system checks whether the product is available locally. If the item is not currently in our UK warehouse, we then place the order through one of our trusted overseas sourcing partners or sister suppliers who have access to larger warehouse networks abroad.
Over time, Second Source has built an extensive sourcing network across both local and international markets. Our key sourcing hubs include:
Toronto, Canada
Miami, USA
Milan, Italy
Paris, France
Kwun Tong, Hong Kong
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
This international reach allows us to source popular and high-demand brands that may be sold out, difficult to access, heavily marked up or unavailable through UK retailers.
Simply put, if your favourite retailer does not currently have the item you are looking for, there is a strong chance that one of our overseas suppliers may still have access to it. In many cases, we are also able to secure products at better prices because we often purchase through larger volume supplier networks, giving us the ability to remain competitive against traditional resellers.
How Long Does Made-to-Order Shipping Take?
For made-to-order items, the sourcing and international delivery process usually takes:
11–21 days to reach our UK site
This timeframe covers the process of locating your item, securing it through our supplier network, and having it shipped to our UK warehouse.
Once your item arrives with us, it does not go straight out immediately. Every product is individually inspected and passed through our internal quality control process. This allows us to check that the item has arrived safely, has not been damaged during international transit, and meets the standard we expect before it is sent to you.
Quality control usually takes anywhere from a few hours to one working day, depending on the volume of orders being processed at the time.
After your item has passed inspection, your order is dispatched the next working day and tracking details are provided.
When Will I Receive Tracking?
For made-to-order items, tracking is provided once your item has arrived at our UK site, passed quality control, and is ready to be dispatched to you.
This means you may not receive tracking immediately after placing your order if the item is being sourced internationally. Tracking becomes available once the product is physically in our hands and has been prepared for final delivery.
From that point onwards, your order will be shipped using the delivery method selected at checkout, and tracking will be sent to you immediately.
Collection Orders
For customers who choose collection, you will be contacted once your item has arrived, passed quality control and is ready for pickup.
We will send you a request asking which days and times work best for you to collect your order from our site. In some cases, depending on location and availability, we may also be able to arrange a local drop-off.
Why We Use This Process
Our sourcing model gives our customers access to products that may otherwise be difficult to find in the UK. Many of the items we offer are limited, sold out, region-exclusive or priced higher through other resellers.
By working with trusted suppliers and sister networks across multiple regions, we can source desirable items more efficiently while keeping our prices competitive.
Although made-to-order sourcing takes longer than standard local shipping, it allows us to offer a wider product selection, better availability and strong pricing on products that are often difficult to secure elsewhere.
Quick Summary
Local Stock Items:
Already held in our UK warehouse and usually delivered within 2–3 working days.
Made-to-Order Items:
Sourced through our international supplier network and usually take 11–21 days to reach our UK site before being quality checked and dispatched.
Tracking:
Provided once your item is in our possession, has passed quality control, and is ready for final delivery.
Collection:
Available once your order has arrived and passed inspection. We will contact you to arrange a suitable collection time.
Final Note
At Second Source, we aim to keep our customers informed at every stage of the order process. Our goal is to provide access to hard-to-find products while making sure every item is checked, verified and prepared properly before it reaches you.
Whether your order is shipped locally or sourced internationally, every product goes through a process designed to protect quality, improve reliability and give you confidence when shopping with us.