Finding a Chinese CNC Supplier? Avoid These 4 Pitfalls

1. Pitfall 1: "Gorgeous equipment list, poor actual production capacity" – Beware of "paper factories"

1. Request "on-site equipment videos + workshop live broadcasts", focusing on equipment nameplates (to confirm purchase time and avoid second-hand refurbished machines) and production schedules (to verify whether there is corresponding production capacity);
2. When placing small-batch trial orders, ask the supplier to provide "processing process records" (such as dimensional inspection data for each process and tool replacement records) to verify whether they have independent production capabilities.

2. Pitfall 2: "High-quality samples, failed mass production" – Reject "one-time samples"

1. Sign a "consistency agreement between samples and mass production", specifying material grades (e.g., 6061-T6 aluminum alloy needs to provide material certification) and process standards (e.g., anodizing thickness ≥10μm);
2. During mass production, conduct "random sampling at a 5% ratio" and entrust a third-party testing agency (such as SGS) to review key dimensions. If unqualified, require unconditional rework.

3. Pitfall 3: "Low price attraction, hidden charges" – Calculate "full-cycle costs"

1. Ask the supplier to provide a "detailed quotation list of all fees", clearly including all costs of "materials, processing, surface treatment, testing, packaging, and domestic transportation", and note "no hidden charges";
2. Agree on "phased payment" in the payment terms (e.g., 30% advance payment, 50% payment after mass production is qualified, 20% payment after no after-sales problems), avoiding paying the full amount at one time.

4. Pitfall 4: "After-sales loss of contact, shirking responsibility for problems" – Lock in partners with "service capabilities"

1. Prioritize suppliers with "more than 5 years of foreign trade experience" (verifiable through Alibaba International Station's "Gold Supplier" certification and customs export data), as these suppliers are more familiar with cross-border after-sales processes;
2. Clearly specify "after-sales response time" (e.g., provide a solution within 24 hours) and "warranty period" (e.g., CNC parts have a 6-month warranty, and free replacement for non-human problems during the period) in the contract.