| Business and Factory Verification | Confirm the supplier’s registered business scope, manufacturing location, production facilities, and whether production is in-house or subcontracted. | Business registration details, factory address, recent production-area photos or videos, and an audit or live factory tour. | Check that the legal entity, factory address, quotation, and export documents are consistent. Distinguish a manufacturer from a trading company before comparing offers. |
| Product Specification | Review the cutter type, motor design, rated voltage, battery capacity, cutting width, compatible cutting attachments, weight, and intended duty cycle. | Detailed datasheet, user manual, product drawings, battery and charger specifications, and a sample unit for evaluation. | Compare products with the same configuration. Confirm whether stated weight includes the battery and whether the quoted package includes the battery, charger, and cutting accessories. |
| Battery Performance and Compatibility | Assess battery capacity, runtime claims, charging time, cell configuration, battery-management protections, and availability of replacement batteries. | Battery datasheet, runtime test conditions, charger specifications, battery protection details, and replacement-part information. | Ask suppliers to state the grass type, workload, attachment, and operating conditions used for runtime tests. Treat runtime figures without test conditions as difficult to compare. |
| Safety and Market Compliance | Identify the safety, electromagnetic compatibility, chemical, labeling, and documentation requirements for each destination market and product configuration. | Applicable declarations, test reports, product labels, manuals, and documentation matching the exact model and accessories being purchased. | Verify documents with the issuing body or testing organization where appropriate. A certificate for a different model or configuration may not establish compliance for the offered product. |
| Lithium Battery Transport Documents | For products shipped with lithium batteries, check that the battery type and shipping configuration are supported by current transport documentation. | UN 38.3 test summary for the applicable battery type, battery specifications, and requested transport documents from the shipping provider. | Confirm that the battery model in the documents matches the battery supplied. Coordinate packaging and transport requirements with the freight forwarder. |
| Quality Control and Product Consistency | Review incoming-material checks, in-process inspections, final testing, traceability, and procedures for handling defects. | Quality-control workflow, sample inspection records, test checklist, defect-handling procedure, and batch or serial-number system. | Agree on written acceptance criteria before production. Consider a pre-shipment inspection against the approved sample and purchase specifications. |
| Sample Testing and Durability | Test handling, balance, cutting performance, vibration, noise, heat buildup, charging, and operation with the intended accessories. | Production-representative samples, test instructions, and records for any performance or durability claims. | Use the same test conditions for each shortlisted product. Include realistic grass conditions and the operating pattern expected in the target market. |
| Production Capacity and Lead Time | Assess available production capacity, seasonal workload, component sourcing, sample lead time, and mass-production schedule. | Production plan, estimated monthly capacity, component lead-time information, and a written schedule for samples and orders. | Compare the supplier’s schedule with your launch and replenishment dates. Confirm whether lead time begins after deposit, specification approval, or packaging approval. |
| Customization and Packaging | Clarify available options for voltage, accessories, manuals, labels, colors, carton artwork, and retail or bulk packaging. | Written customization scope, artwork approval process, packaging dimensions, product and carton labels, and any tooling or setup charges. | Confirm which changes affect cost, minimum order quantity, and lead time. Approve final artwork and product configuration before production. |
| Export Experience and Shipping | Evaluate experience preparing export paperwork, battery-related shipping information, protective packaging, and shipment coordination. | Sample commercial invoice and packing list formats, carton specifications, shipping options, and details of the party responsible for each export task. | Request a written quotation that identifies the trade term, destination, included costs, shipment method, and responsibility for customs clearance. |
| Warranty and After-Sales Support | Review warranty coverage, exclusions, spare-parts availability, response procedures, and support for troubleshooting or returns. | Written warranty terms, spare-parts list, service instructions, and a process for reporting and resolving quality issues. | Compare coverage by component and time period. Confirm who pays for replacement parts, freight, and labor, and how claims are documented. |
| Commercial Terms and Total Cost | Compare unit price, minimum order quantity, payment schedule, sample charges, packaging costs, spare parts, and inspection costs. | Itemized quotation, payment terms, order specifications, and written confirmation of included accessories and services. | Evaluate landed cost and order risk rather than unit price alone. Make sure the quotation describes the exact product configuration and agreed acceptance criteria. |