Every supplier shows a good sample. The difference between a partner and a broker appears in the answers to questions about components, certification, tooling ownership and what happens when something goes wrong in container two.
Six questions, and what the answers reveal
Ask these in one email. The speed and specificity of the reply is as informative as its content.
| Question | What you are testing |
|---|---|
| Who holds the safety listing for this model? | Whether they own the certification or borrowed it |
| Which switch and cord set are fitted, and by whom? | Whether they know their own bill of materials |
| Who owns the tooling, and can it be removed? | Whether you can leave without losing the product |
| What is the reorder lead time and minimum? | Whether the second order is easier or harder |
| Which spare parts are available, for how long? | Whether the warranty is cheaper than a replacement |
| Who do you build for in the US today? | Whether they understand the market you are in |
Component-level answers are the tell
A manufacturer names the switch brand, the cord type and the driver supplier. A trading desk describes the lamp. The first can fix a defect at the source; the second has to ask someone else.
Ask for a factory process, not a factory photo
Photographs of a building prove nothing. Ask which processes happen on site — forming, plating, powder coating, assembly, testing — and which are subcontracted, because the subcontracted ones are where quality variance appears.
Test the response to a problem
Raise one small issue during the sample stage, such as a finish variation or a switch feel, and watch how it is handled. The behaviour at that moment is the behaviour you will get when a container is held at port.
Start small, on a real order
A trial order of one or two models, at commercial volumes and through the full process, tests more than a sample programme ever will. Then decide with evidence rather than with a price list.
Sourcing lamps for your business?
We stock the Anrotix range in the United States — complete with LED bulbs and accessories — and supply from 10 units, mixed across SKUs.
Request wholesale pricingRecruiting regional partners worldwide — help@anrotix.cn