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Do You Inspect Factory If You Have Concerns About Your Supplier?

by felixcohen
6 replies
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Hi there.

I have received customized samples which I liked but after CNY representative that I had communicated with for a few months quit working for that factor. Another representative took place which has been with company for a couple of years and has not been that speedy-responsive as prior representative, especially now. She is not on Skype for some reason as I keep noticing and prior representative was always online and responsive. I wonder what is going on there...

Do I have something to worry about? I mean shouldn't March have less backorders and be accepting new orders even from "small importers"? I also read how labor-based factories lose to competition where factories are more high-tech equipped. This gold supplier on Alibaba has "Supplier Assessed" status with recent reports.

Should I send someone to inspect factory before making transaction? In fact maybe they can oversee transaction going smoothly itself while at it?

Thanks
#concerns #factory #inspect #supplier
  • Profile picture of the author ZanyZebra
    Originally Posted by felixcohen View Post

    Hi there.

    I have received customized samples which I liked but after CNY representative that I had communicated with for a few months quit working for that factor. Another representative took place which has been with company for a couple of years and has not been that speedy-responsive as prior representative, especially now. She is not on Skype for some reason as I keep noticing and prior representative was always online and responsive. I wonder what is going on there...

    Do I have something to worry about? I mean shouldn't March have less backorders and be accepting new orders even from "small importers"? I also read how labor-based factories lose to competition where factories are more high-tech equipped. This gold supplier on Alibaba has "Supplier Assessed" status with recent reports.

    Should I send someone to inspect factory before making transaction? In fact maybe they can oversee transaction going smoothly itself while at it?

    Thanks
    take action fast...

    immediately look for alternative suppliers and do it rapidly... get samples and quotes and all whilst you are tackling your current supplier... run things in parallel not sequentially

    as soon as doubts start to raise regarding a supplier don't ponder, take action and protect yourself

    good luck with your venture.
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    • Profile picture of the author felixcohen
      Originally Posted by ZanyZebra View Post

      as soon as doubts start to raise regarding a supplier don't ponder, take action and protect yourself

      good luck with your venture.
      Should I suspect something with supplier?

      Last thing I was told is that something changed and they need to update quote with their manager. I haven't heard for several days from them.

      Maybe I should contact different representative in factory because this one does lack of attention? Call them?
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      • Profile picture of the author ZanyZebra
        Originally Posted by felixcohen View Post

        Should I suspect something with supplier?

        Last thing I was told is that something changed and they need to update quote with their manager. I haven't heard for several days from them.

        Maybe I should contact different representative in factory because this one does lack of attention? Call them?
        Certainly try and sort it out with your current supplier.

        However go through the process of finding alternative suppliers so that you can switch rapidly if need be.

        Good luck with your venture.
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      • Profile picture of the author Importexport
        Originally Posted by felixcohen View Post

        Should I suspect something with supplier?

        Last thing I was told is that something changed and they need to update quote with their manager. I haven't heard for several days from them.

        Maybe I should contact different representative in factory because this one does lack of attention? Call them?
        What you have been told is no doubt a prelude to a price rise. If they are going to treat you like that you should look elsewhere. I would not continue to deal with a company that works that way, unless the new quote is a lot lower.

        If you ever feel the need to send someone to inspect a factory or the product, use only one of the long established inspection services. There are thousands of opportunists offering inspection services, but you have no way of knowing if they are working in your interest or their own.

        Walter Hay.
        "If you think education is expensive - consider the cost of ignorance."
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        • Profile picture of the author felixcohen
          Originally Posted by Importexport View Post

          What you have been told is no doubt a prelude to a price rise. If they are going to treat you like that you should look elsewhere. I would not continue to deal with a company that works that way, unless the new quote is a lot lower.
          You think it's bait & switch?

          I have seen other suppliers but they do not have "Assessed" tags and I can't find quality management system certificates. They may mention something like ISO9001 but often I can't find digital cookies copies.

          Should I reach out and ask them first thing? I am replicating generic product and adding some customization. I would say assembly is manual. Is this certification with manual assembly as important as it is with automated assembly?

          Also what if supplier is only specializes in one industry versus both as my product is made with materials from both industries? To give example would be if I had to make watch and has supplier specializing in watch only and supplier specializing in watch as well as leather strap.

          I don't know if this is something I need to be concerned about but if watch would bear more importance than leather I guess I would choose watch-only manufacturer because on that would depend quality of watch itself, wouldn't it? I mean it's better to choose supplier with R&D engineer who knows watches inside out than someone who knows leather.
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          • Profile picture of the author Importexport
            Originally Posted by felixcohen View Post

            You think it's bait & switch?

            I have seen other suppliers but they do not have "Assessed" tags and I can't find quality management system certificates. They may mention something like ISO9001 but often I can't find digital cookies copies.

            Should I reach out and ask them first thing? I am replicating generic product and adding some customization. I would say assembly is manual. Is this certification with manual assembly as important as it is with automated assembly?

            Also what if supplier is only specializes in one industry versus both as my product is made with materials from both industries? To give example would be if I had to make watch and has supplier specializing in watch only and supplier specializing in watch as well as leather strap.

            I don't know if this is something I need to be concerned about but if watch would bear more importance than leather I guess I would choose watch-only manufacturer because on that would depend quality of watch itself, wouldn't it? I mean it's better to choose supplier with R&D engineer who knows watches inside out than someone who knows leather.
            It could be something similar to bait and switch. In any case I would see their actions so far as a red flag and would look for another supplier.

            Don't rely on any certification without verifying it with the certifying authority. Forging of certificates is endemic in China.

            Also make sure you read the entire Assessed Supplier report. You might find that the supplier has claimed to be a manufacturer, but the report says otherwise.

            Many, if not most, manufacturers use components subcontracted out, and your theoretical example of watchmaking is a good one. Casting, machining, plating, printing, watch movements, and bands are often the products of various factories. You can't viably inspect them all, but you can inspect random samples at the factory to see if the component parts are good quality and the assembly is well done

            If any of the components are branded, that can be a help. Still using your watch example, some watch suppliers use Seiko or Citizen movements. Some high end watch suppliers even use Swiss movements. That industry is well policed and if the brand is on the movement, you can be confident of the quality of that component.

            The situation is probably quite different in your case, but the principles still apply.

            Walter Hay.
            "If you think education is expensive - consider the cost of ignorance."
            Signature
            Use emotions and perceptions to build a great brand. Ask me about my book LabelsThatExploit. For safe sourcing and easy importing from 41 countries globally, see https://provenglobalsourcing.com
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