Some importers have been buying from China for many years, and yet they have never done quality control in a professional manner. The science behind inspection protocols seems complex--nearly intimidating. Buyers don't know where to start, … [Read more...]
Why we shouldn’t check 10% of the order quantity
Some of my new clients, when they book their first inspection, tell me "please check 10% of the order quantity". Here is what I typically respond: Usually we follow the statistical tables that everybody in the industry works with. They … [Read more...]
The conditions that suppliers should accept before QC inspections
Inspections often take place in sub-optimal conditions. Sometimes the goods are not ready. Sometimes the cartons are piled up in a way that makes it impossible to count them or to select them. Sometimes the inspector's time is wasted in … [Read more...]
Letters of guarantee: a substitute to quality control for importers?
Some inexperienced buyers learn about letters of guarantee, and they think it is the best thing since sliced bread. It costs nothing and it puts pressure on the supplier to deliver acceptable quality! What does a letter of guarantee look … [Read more...]
When are product recalls unreasonable?
All Roads Lead To China wondered in several recent posts what proportion of "product failure" is acceptable, and when a recall is justified. What Richard Brubaker calls "product failure" is actually an accident caused by the product … [Read more...]
What to know before booking a quality inspection
Many small importers start buying in China, and then end up feeling a need for quality control (QC). They haven’t gotten assistance from specialized QC firms. This article outlines what buyers need to know to take full advantage of product … [Read more...]
What to do with golden samples from Chinese suppliers?
The importance of samples to get new orders How do buyers select a Chinese supplier? Most often, they compare quotations and samples. Other considerations, such as reactivity or manufacturing capability, are taken into account by a … [Read more...]
You have special requirements? Then write your own inspection procedure!
One of my clients systematically controls every shipment upon arrival in their warehouse. So they have a lady who has been doing this full-time for more than 10 years. They have honed a procedure for her work, little by little. It is based … [Read more...]
Explain your quality standard: be simple and concrete
Many importers don't fully understand the reports they get from inspection companies. The concepts are not really complex, but one needs a little guidance to grasp them correctly. That's why I write articles such as Quality Control … [Read more...]
Preparing a list of quality defects for QC inspectors
During a product inspection, one of the main tasks is looking for defects on samples, categorizing them (critical/major/minor), and reporting them. The maximum number of defects that is allowed is based on the AQL, which has to be set by … [Read more...]