Supplier follow-up question checklist
A fast checklist for turning a first supplier reply into useful verification evidence. Use it after the first quotation or catalog response, before sample payment, deposit, or production scheduling.
When to use this checklist
- After a vague quote: price is supplied, but specification, packing, certification or lead time is incomplete.
- Before a sample: confirm what the sample proves and what it does not prove.
- Before deposit: convert promises into documented production and inspection checkpoints.
- When comparing vendors: use the same follow-up questions for every shortlisted supplier.
Red flags this catches
- Answers that avoid material, model, tolerance, certificate scope or factory identity.
- Prices that change when basic compliance or packing details are requested.
- Samples that are not made from the proposed production process.
- Lead times that ignore peak season, tooling, artwork, inspection or shipping cutoff dates.
Copy-ready follow-up question set
Subject: Follow-up questions for quotation confirmation
Hello, thank you for your quotation. Before we evaluate sample/payment steps, please confirm the details below:
- Exact product model/specification, material/grade, dimensions and tolerance.
- MOQ, unit price, price validity period, and which cost items are included/excluded.
- Sample availability, sample cost, sample lead time, and whether the sample matches mass production materials/process.
- Production lead time after deposit and after final artwork/sample approval.
- Packing method, carton size/weight, pallet option, labeling/barcode support and photo evidence.
- Available certificates/test reports, certificate holder name, expiry date, and whether the report covers this exact model.
- Factory/company name, business license information, export experience and main markets.
- Quality control steps: incoming material check, in-process inspection, final inspection, AQL or defect standard.
- Payment terms, deposit ratio, balance timing and accepted payment channels.
- Warranty/after-sales handling for defects, shortage, damage or documentation mismatch.
- Shipping terms available: EXW/FOB/CIF/DDP, nearest port, and estimated packed volume.
- Please share recent production photos or a short video showing this product line if available.
We will compare answers across suppliers and follow up on any unclear points. Thank you.
Scoring rule
| Answer quality | Action |
|---|---|
| 2Specific, documented, model-level answer | Keep supplier in shortlist |
| 1Partly answered, needs clarification | Ask once more; mark risk |
| 0Avoided, generic, or contradictory | Do not advance to payment without proof |
Next internal links
- Use Supplier evaluation checklist to screen baseline risk.
- Use Supplier comparison worksheet to compare answers side by side.
- Use B2B inquiry template when starting a new supplier conversation.