A bad supplier can quietly wipe out a year of profit with defective stock or a missed shipment. Vetting properly is the cheapest insurance you can buy.
The vetting checklist
- Verify they are a genuine manufacturer, not just a trading middleman.
- Order and test samples before any bulk commitment.
- Assess communication — clear, responsive replies signal a reliable partner.
- Check how long they have operated and whether they serve other export markets.
- Confirm they can meet your compliance and customisation needs.
Red flags to walk away from
- Prices dramatically below everyone else — usually a quality compromise.
- Reluctance to provide samples or references.
- Vague or evasive answers about materials, capacity or timelines.
- Pressure to pay large amounts upfront with unclear terms.
Protect the order
Agree clear terms on quality, defects and timelines in writing, and use sensible payment milestones rather than paying everything upfront. Relationships built carefully early pay off for years.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know a supplier is genuine?
Verify they are a real manufacturer, test samples, and assess the clarity of their communication and track record.
What are the biggest red flags?
Suspiciously low prices, refusal to send samples, vague answers and pressure for large upfront payments.
Should I pay upfront?
Use sensible milestones rather than paying everything before production and inspection.
Why does vetting matter so much?
One unreliable supplier can erase a year of profit through defects or missed shipments.
✓ Want vetted suppliers instead of guessing? Book a free 15-minute guidance call.
Ali Lokhandwala has sold on Amazon India for 7 years, runs 80+ live private-label products with a 35-person team generating Rs.3.5 crore a month, and has trained 15,000+ entrepreneurs whose brands have crossed Rs.160 crore in combined sales. He still runs his Amazon business daily.
