Beyond Unit Price — What You Really Need to Know to Avoid Costly Surprises
By Yan Luo | Samtop Display
Table of Contents
A low unit price on a quote means nothing if it leads to missed deadlines, unexpected logistics costs, or displays that don’t reflect your brand. These 10 questions will help you uncover risks, align expectations, and ensure your display project stays on track — from sampling to shipping.
You got a great quote. But two weeks later, sampling is late, cartons are unlabeled, and lighting was never included.
The most expensive mistake in custom display projects? Assuming everything is included. Factories may quote low but omit packaging, QC, even project management. And if you only ask about price — you’ll only get a product, not a process.
Ask the 10 questions that experienced brand teams use to vet vendors — and avoid timeline risk, cost surprises, and compliance issues.
🔍 1. “Can you provide technical drawings or engineering support?”
Look for:
.STEPor.IGS3D structural drawings- 2D print layer layouts
- Exploded assembly views
📌 Why ask?
If your vendor can’t convert a moodboard into technical specs, you’ll hit a wall at the sampling stage — or worse, the final product won’t match your design intent.
🔍 2. “What materials and finishes will you use — and can I see real samples?”
Confirm they’ll send:
- Pantone-matched spray panels
- Swatches of acrylic, wood, metal
- Lighting modules or logo application samples
📌 Why ask?
Verbal descriptions like “metallic rose gold” are subjective. You need to see and touch materials before approving.
🔍 3. “What is your sample process — and what’s included?”
Clarify:
- Is it a full-function prototype or partial mock-up?
- Is video/photo approval possible?
- Are samples free, charged, or refundable?
📌 Why ask?
Sampling is where you align expectations. If it’s vague, so will your mass production.
🔍 4. “How long will each phase take — from design to shipping?”
Request a basic milestone plan:
- Quote: ~2–3 days
- Sampling: ~10–15 days
- Production: ~20–30 days
- Shipping: 3–5 days (air), 25–40 days (sea)
📌 Why ask?
A clear Gantt chart-style plan reduces confusion and helps coordinate internal brand and launch teams.
🔍 5. “Can you support multiple shipping destinations or store-level drop-off?”
Ask whether they can:
- Split shipments by region (e.g., EU/US/Asia)
- Offer EXW, FOB, or DDP shipping terms
- Label boxes with QR codes and install guides
📌 Why ask?
Great displays don’t matter if they can’t be delivered right. Global execution matters.
🔍 6. “What certifications or compliance documents can you provide?”
Based on your campaign location, you may need:
- REACH (EU)
- FSC (wood)
- UL/CE (lighting)
- UK Plastic Tax exemption
- Child-safe materials, fire rating
📌 Why ask?
If the supplier “doesn’t know,” they’re likely not experienced with global brand standards.
🔍 7. “What’s included in the quote — and what’s not?”
Ask for line-by-line detail:
- Is packaging included?
- Is logo printing included?
- Are mold/tooling/sample fees listed?
📌 Why ask?
Low quotes often hide extras. Get full transparency up front.
🔍 8. “What’s your QC process before shipment?”
Expect your vendor to provide:
- Photo and video documentation
- Batch checklists for logos, assembly, finish
- Option to send final samples or 3rd-party report
📌 Why ask?
QC is the final gatekeeper. No QC = full risk on the buyer.
🔍 9. “Do you have real case studies in retail, fashion, or beauty?”
Ask to see:
- Photo/video documentation of past campaigns
- Before-and-after comparisons
- Reference brands (even anonymized)
📌 Why ask?
Anyone can quote. But can they deliver at your visual standard? Case studies prove it.
🔍 10. “Who manages my project — and how do we communicate?”
Ensure you’ll have:
- Dedicated English-speaking PM
- Weekly update schedule
- Shared folder for visuals, CAD, production photos
📌 Why ask?
You’re not just buying displays — you’re buying coordination. Without a PM, you’ll waste time chasing updates.
🎯 Bonus: Why These 10 Questions Matter
90% of display project failures come from:
- Misunderstood scope (e.g., you thought packaging was included — it wasn’t)
- Unrealistic timelines (e.g., sampling took twice as long)
- Unfit suppliers (e.g., good at production, bad at logistics)
Asking better questions = saving time, money, and your brand’s in-store presence.
💬 FAQ (With JSON-LD Schema)
Q: Can Samtop help evaluate other vendors?
A: Yes — we offer briefing templates and RFP tools.
Q: Do you offer onboarding kits for new projects?
A: Yes — our clients use kickoff forms to align files, timelines, and expectations fast.
Q: Can you handle global rollouts including DDP?
A: Yes — we ship to 40+ countries with labeled cartons and customs-ready docs.
📩 Want a Vendor Briefing Toolkit?
At Samtop, we support:
- Supplier evaluation forms
- RFP + sample checklist templates
- Full-cycle onboarding support for global rollouts
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌍 Website: www.samtop.com
