1. Can They Show the Production Floor Live?
2. Can They Explain Their MOQ?
3. Can They Explain Their Lead Time?
4. Can They Show Quality Control Records?
5. Can They Show Recent Container Shipments?
6. Can They Explain Material Sources?
7. Can Existing Customers Verify Them?
8. Factory vs Trading Company: Why It Matters

You've narrowed your supplier list down to a few candidates. Prices are similar. Samples look acceptable. Emails sound professional. Now comes the most important decision: Which supplier can actually deliver your order safely, consistently, and on time?

The wrong supplier can cost far more than a few cents per pair. Late deliveries, quality complaints, communication problems, and lost selling seasons are often much more expensive than the product itself. Before sending a deposit, here are seven checks every importer should make.

1. Can They Show the Production Floor Live?

A real factory should be able to show its production floor during a live video call. You should be able to see:

• Running machines
• Production workers
• Molding lines
• Packing areas
• Finished goods storage

Photos and edited videos can be prepared in advance. A live walkthrough is much harder to fake. If a supplier repeatedly avoids live video calls, ask yourself why.

2. Can They Explain Their MOQ?

MOQ is not just a number. It often reflects how production is organized. For example, an EVA slipper factory with an MOQ of 1,800 pairs may be scheduling production based on mold setup, material batching, and machine efficiency. A supplier should be able to explain:

• Why the MOQ exists
• Whether mixed sizes are allowed
• Whether mixed colors are available
• How MOQ changes for OEM orders

The explanation is often more important than the MOQ itself.

If you're comparing minimum order quantities between suppliers, you may also find What Is the MOQ for EVA Slides and PVC Flip Flops? helpful.

3. Can They Explain Their Lead Time?

Every supplier promises fast delivery. The better question is: Can they explain how delivery is managed during peak season? Ask:

• What is the current production schedule?
• What happens if demand increases?
• How are repeat orders prioritized?
• How are urgent orders handled?

Reliable factories understand their capacity and provide realistic timelines. Unrealistic promises often become delayed shipments later.

Peak-season scheduling has a major impact on delivery reliability. Learn more in When to Order Slippers: How Importers Plan Around Factory Peak Season.

4. Can They Show Quality Control Records?

Most suppliers say they have quality control. Ask them to prove it. Questions worth asking include:

• What inspections are performed?
• How is defect rate measured?
• Can pre-shipment inspection photos be provided?
• What happens if defects are found?

Real factories usually have documented procedures. Good suppliers answer these questions immediately.

5. Can They Show Recent Container Shipments?

One of the strongest signs of a reliable supplier is evidence of recent shipments. Ask for:

• Container loading photos
• Finished goods warehouse photos
• Packed carton photos
• Shipping records

A supplier shipping containers regularly is usually managing real export business, not just collecting inquiries. Actual shipment records are often more valuable than marketing brochures.

6. Can They Explain Material Sources?

For EVA and PVC slippers, material quality directly affects:

• Durability
• Flexibility
• Odor control
• Customer satisfaction
• Repeat-order potential

Ask suppliers where materials come from and how consistency is maintained across production batches. Material quality often determines whether customers reorder or complain.

7. Can Existing Customers Verify Them?

Long-term customers are often the best proof of supplier reliability. If possible, ask:

• How long have customers been buying?
• Are repeat orders common?
• Can references be provided?

The strongest suppliers usually build relationships that last for years, not months.

Factory vs Trading Company: Why It Matters

Both factories and trading companies have a place in international trade. The real issue is transparency. A factory usually provides:

• Direct production control
• Faster technical communication
• Better visibility into quality control
• Greater flexibility for OEM projects

A trading company may provide:

• Broader sourcing options
• Consolidated purchasing
• Mixed-product procurement

The key is understanding who is actually responsible for production. Before placing an order, make sure you know who controls the factory floor.

If you're deciding between manufacturing models, read OEM vs ODM Slippers: Which Business Model Fits Your Market?.

Real Example

An importer received two quotations for the same EVA slipper design. Supplier A quoted USD 0.63 per pair. Supplier B quoted USD 0.82 per pair.

After a factory video call, the buyer discovered Supplier A was sourcing through multiple factories, while Supplier B owned the molds, machines, and production line. During peak season, Supplier A missed the delivery schedule because production priority was given to larger customers. Supplier B delivered on time.

The buyer later moved all repeat orders to the factory-direct supplier. The cheapest quotation did not become the lowest-cost supplier.

Comparing suppliers becomes much easier when you know what questions to ask. See 7 Questions to Ask Before Ordering Slippers from China.

Supplier Verification Checklist

Before sending a deposit, make sure your supplier can provide:

• Live factory video call
• Production floor walkthrough
• Recent shipment records
• Quality control procedures
• Material sourcing information
• Clear lead-time explanation
• OEM experience
• Stable production capacity

Before choosing a supplier, you may also want to read How to Compare Slipper Suppliers in China.

Need Proof Before You Place an Order?

At Guangdong Chongdi Slippers Factory, we welcome supplier verification questions. We can provide:

• Live factory video calls
• Production floor walkthroughs
• Recent container loading records
• QC inspection records
• OEM and private-label examples
• Material and production information

Before placing your next order, verify everything for yourself. Because the best supplier is not the one with the lowest quotation. It's the one that helps you build a reliable long-term business.