8 questions
Quality control and claims
Quality is judged against a written reference: the approved sample, the size chart and a defect list. Documented checks and a clear order record make disputes easier to settle.
What counts as a major, minor or critical defect?
Critical defects are safety or legal risks, such as a broken needle left in a garment. Major defects affect use or appearance enough that a customer would return the item. Minor defects are small deviations that do not affect use. Agree the list and limits in advance.
How do you control needle and metal contamination?
Common controls include a broken-needle policy and metal detection. Ask the supplier to describe what they do and how they record it, especially for garments with metal trims or heavy construction.
How are measurements checked in production?
Finished garments are measured against the specification and the agreed tolerances during in-line and final inspection, on a sample of units from each size.
How do you check print placement, pattern matching and symmetry?
Mark placement and matching in the tech pack, approve them on the sample, then check them on production units. Matching patterns across seams and sides needs extra fabric, which affects price.
How are colour differences handled between sample and bulk?
Set a tolerance, compare the bulk fabric with the approved lab dip or swatch under standard lighting, and approve the lot before cutting. Differences outside the agreed tolerance are raised before production, not after.
What if the goods are damaged in transit?
Photograph the damage and the packaging, note it on the delivery document, notify the carrier and your insurer within their deadlines and keep everything. Cargo insurance and clear shipping terms decide who bears the loss.
What can I do if a supplier disappears after payment?
Prevention matters most: verify the company and its tax number, use staged payments, avoid paying everything in advance to an unknown supplier, pay to a company account and consider secure methods for first orders. If it happens, contact your bank and take legal advice quickly.
How do I deal with a dispute over quality?
Compare the goods with the approved sample and the written specification, document the differences with photos and measurements and, if possible, an inspection report. Then agree a remedy such as rework or a price adjustment, as set out in the order terms.
General information, not legal or customs advice. Rules change and differ by country: confirm the details that apply to your shipment with your customs broker or importer.