What to ask an unplated jewelry casting supplier before your first order
Published on by Fulvio · 3 min read
Price per piece is only one of the answers that matter. These are the questions that help you tell whether a casting supplier will keep up with your brand's pace.
Switching casting suppliers in the middle of a collection is expensive. The piece changes a little, the plating shop notices, the schedule slips. That is why the choice deserves more conversation than a price list.
These are the questions we would like every buyer to ask before the first order, including when the supplier is FGF.
About the piece
What is the base metal? Brass and silver behave differently in plating and in cost. Know what you are buying and check with your plating shop that it works well with that material.
Will the pieces I receive match the sample? Ask for a sample of the model and compare it with the batch. Small details, such as jump ring thickness and prong finish, are the first to vary when the process is not under control.
Who designed the model? Suppliers that only copy what is already on the market deliver the same piece your competitor buys. Ask where the new releases come from and how often the line changes.
About lead time and availability
What is in stock today and what needs to be produced? Those are different lead times. Ask for confirmation of model and quantity before you close the order, especially if you have a launch date.
How long does it take to produce a model from the line? Write down the answer and add the plating shop's lead time. That is your real lead time to the display case.
Can I restock the same model three months from now? The piece that sells well is the one you will want again. Knowing whether the model stays in the line keeps you from having a bestseller you cannot restock.
About commercial terms
Is there a minimum order? Ask per order and per model. Both numbers change how you build your assortment.
How does service work after the first purchase? Who will answer you when a model sells out, when a special date comes up or when you want help choosing new pieces?
About growing together
Do you develop exclusive pieces? Even if you only buy from the line today, it is worth knowing whether the supplier can keep up when your brand wants pieces of its own. Ask how approval works and what kind of exclusivity they offer.
Can I see the process or talk to the people who develop the pieces? A supplier that shows its process is better prepared to explain a difference between batches than one that only sends a catalog.
What to do with the answers
Put each supplier's answers side by side, along with what was left vague. Vague answers about lead time and restocking tend to turn into problems on the second order, which is when the relationship really begins.
If you want to ask FGF these questions, reach us through our sales contact. We answer with what we can guarantee and tell you what has to be checked first.