Where to look, what to ask, how to test samples, and the warning signs that mean walk away.
What you finish with
Two vetted suppliers — one primary, one backup — each with sample results, written terms and a completed vetting file.
Most beginners find one broker and stop. Serious operators build a shortlist from trade directories, industry events, referrals and direct manufacturer outreach, then narrow it with the same questionnaire for everyone.
A standard set of questions applied identically to every supplier makes comparison possible and pressure selling ineffective. You'll ask about facilities, quality systems, batch documentation, lead times, MOQs and how they handle a failed batch.
Never buy inventory from an untested supplier. Order samples from your top two, send them to an independent lab under your own account, and compare the results to the supplier's own paperwork.
Recycled COAs, refusal of independent testing, pressure to pay by irreversible methods, and shifting company names are all reasons to end the conversation. Write your exit terms before your first purchase order.