Supplier Scorecard
Score a Chinese factory or trader on verification, capacity, samples, communication, lead time, payment, and compliance before you deposit.
Give each row a score from 1 to 5 and attach a short note or file reference. Do not average away a single red flag involving the legal entity, payment account, inspection access, or product safety.
| Factor | What to check |
|---|---|
| Company verification | Business license, export record, consistent address. |
| Production capacity | Lines, peak-season load, subcontracting honesty. |
| Sample quality | Matches spec, finish, and packaging claims. |
| Communication | Answers the question asked, in writing, on time. |
| Lead time | History vs promise; Chinese New Year buffer. |
| Payment terms | Deposit size, balance trigger, currency. |
| Compliance evidence | Test reports that match this SKU, not a cousin product. |
| References | Repeat buyers or export documents you can sanity-check. |
| Risk flags | Refuses inspection, pushes Western Union, changes company name. |
How to use the score
Score suppliers after they have answered the same RFQ and produced comparable samples. A number without evidence is difficult to review later, so write why the supplier received it. Link the license copy, quotation, sample photos, test report, or delivery record used for the decision.
Weighting should follow the order. Compliance and traceability may matter more for an electrical product than a minor price difference. A retailer with a fixed launch date may give lead-time history more weight. Keep the method consistent across suppliers on the same file.
Use stop conditions
Some findings should pause the order even when the total score looks acceptable. Examples already covered by this scorecard include a changing company name, payment instructions that do not match the verified entity, refusal of inspection, and reports that belong to another product.
Begin with the wholesale RFQ template, then verify the company with the supplier verification guide. Keep the completed scorecard with the purchase and inspection records for repeat orders.
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