| 1. Verify supplier reliability | Confirm the supplier’s legal identity, manufacturing role, operating history, and ability to meet the required order volume and schedule. | Business registration details, facility information, production-capacity statements, references, and a written order schedule. | Check that the contracting entity, payment beneficiary, and stated supplier are consistent. Treat unverifiable claims or refusal of a reasonable audit as risks. |
| 2. Examine quality controls | Review how incoming components, assembly, finished products, and defects are inspected and recorded. | Quality-control procedures, sample inspection records, defect-handling process, and a pre-shipment inspection plan. | Agree on acceptance criteria before production, including appearance, functions, packaging, and any required testing. Do not rely on an unapproved sample alone. |
| 3. Check market-specific compliance | Identify applicable safety, electromagnetic-compatibility, energy, and environmental requirements for each destination market. | Relevant test reports, declarations, product labels, and documentation for the exact model and configuration being purchased. | Requirements differ by country and product. Verify applicability with the relevant regulator or qualified compliance professional; do not assume a certificate for one market covers another. |
| 4. Put warranty terms in writing | Clarify warranty duration, coverage, start date, remedy, claim process, and who pays for parts, labor, shipping, duties, and return handling. | A model-specific warranty document and contract terms covering defects, dead-on-arrival units, exclusions, repair or replacement, and claim timelines. | Compare the written coverage with the laws that apply in the destination market. Avoid relying on verbal promises or vague statements such as “standard warranty.” |
| 5. Test technical support | Determine which languages and channels are supported, the support hours, escalation path, and whether help is available for setup, firmware, and troubleshooting. | Support contacts, service process, troubleshooting documentation, escalation details, and written response-time commitments if required. | Test the support channel before ordering. Set response-time expectations in the agreement rather than assuming a particular service level is universal. |
| 6. Confirm parts and repair options | Check availability of replaceable parts and whether repairs can be handled locally or require return shipment across borders. | Parts list, availability policy, service instructions, repair contacts, and quoted lead times for commonly needed components. | Ask how parts availability is maintained after purchase and clarify shipping, customs, and labor responsibility for warranty repairs. |
| 7. Validate product and shipment details | Confirm the exact model configuration, regional power and connectivity requirements, packaging, delivery terms, and procedure for transit damage. | Approved specification sheet, sample or pre-production unit, packing details, shipping documents, and agreed delivery and inspection terms. | Check compatibility with local power, broadcast or input standards, connectors, language settings, and intended installation. Record damage and shortages promptly under the agreed process. |