In-depth guides for purchasing decisions: production readiness, quotation comparison, supplier follow-up, tooling and change control.
6 articles in this topic.
Buyers negotiate price, lead time and payment terms but often copy the dispute clause from a template. It can determine whether you can enforce claims against a Chinese supplier.
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A second look is worthwhile even with one supplier and one quotation. Is machining missing, the material merely “equivalent”, or the coating unspecified? The attractive price can later lead to a surcharge or a complaint.
Read articleInitial samples are often made under special conditions. For series production, you need evidence on measurement, production trials, scrap, traceability and revision status. This lets you assess whether the supplier can meet volume, cycle time and consistent quality requirements.
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A lower unit price is often a different offer: another revision, another tool, another delivery term. Quotations become comparable only when every supplier answers on the same technical and commercial basis.
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“Will be done” is not yet something you can check. Record the task, named owner, agreed evidence and date. You can then see whether the supplier delivers and when you need to escalate.
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A tooling register shows which paid-for tools belong to you, where they are and their condition. An agreed change process requires the supplier to report changes in advance. You can then assess them before receiving the goods.
Read articleWe assess your existing China procurement or a new China opportunity for up to three comparable items and recommend next steps.
