Guide
Vet a new supplier before you commit
A short checklist that catches most bad supplier relationships before you've signed anything.
Ask for references, and actually call them
Ask for two or three current customers, ideally ones a similar size to you. A supplier who's hesitant to provide references at all is a red flag worth taking seriously.
Order a small test batch before a big commitment
Never place your largest order first. A small test order reveals quality, packaging, and communication issues while the cost of a mistake is still low.
Confirm lead times in writing, not just conversation
Get quoted production and shipping times in an email or contract, not just a verbal promise. Verbal timelines have a way of quietly slipping once you've paid.
Check their financial stability where you can
For bigger commitments, a quick search for news, reviews, or complaints (Better Business Bureau, industry forums, Google reviews) can reveal a supplier heading toward trouble before you're caught in it.
That’s the whole thing.
Keep going
What to read next
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Negotiate payment terms that protect your cash flow
Small changes to when you pay can make a big difference to how much cash you have on hand.
- 02
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Set up a simple vendor tracking system
One place to see every supplier, contract terms, and contact, instead of scattered emails.
- 03
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Handle a vendor who keeps missing deadlines
A calm, structured way to address a recurring problem before it becomes your problem too.