Rooftop Tent Supplier Evaluation Checklist (20 Points)

Whether you are evaluating us or our competitors, use the same checklist. Most supplier problems are visible before the first order — if you know where to look. Twenty checks, grouped into five categories, plus the red flags that should end an evaluation immediately.

Factory or trading company?

Not a moral question — a cost and control question. Trading companies add margin and remove your visibility into production. Check:

• Business license scope — does it include manufacturing, or only trading?
• Can they show production photos with their own name in the frame, or a live video walk of the line?
• Do they answer technical questions directly, or always 'check with the factory'?

Category 1 — Capability (5 points)

• Manufacturing history in your exact product category (rooftop tents, not just camping tents).
• In-house control of the critical processes — cutting, sewing, coating/taping, assembly.
• R&D capacity: can they develop from your brief, or only copy a photo you send?
• Production capacity that fits your volume — too big and your order is a nuisance, too small and your peak season fails.
• Export experience to your market, including the documents your customs and retailers require.

Category 2 — Quality system (5 points)

• ISO 9001 (or equivalent) — ask for the certificate number and scope, then verify it.
• A described inspection process with gates — incoming, in-process, final, pre-shipment. 'We check quality' is not a process.
• Third-party test reports from named labs (e.g. Bureau Veritas, Intertek, SGS).
• Batch traceability: material lots, QC records, photos per run.
• Willingness to accept your appointed third-party inspection before shipment.

Category 3 — Commercial terms (4 points)

• Clear MOQ structure — per model, per order, per color; mixed models allowed?
• Price breaks shown across quantities (e.g. 50 / 100 / 300 / 500).
• Sample policy — cost, lead time, credited against first order?
• Lead times quoted for both sampling and bulk, and held in the contract.

Category 4 — Communication (3 points)

• Response speed and quality on technical questions — measured during evaluation, not promised.
• Written English (or your language) good enough for unambiguous spec sheets.
• One accountable contact who can make decisions, not a relay.

Category 5 — Verification (3 points)

• References from brands in a comparable segment (region or size).
• Searchable history — company registration, disputes, years in operation.
• Consistency between what sales says and what documents show.

Red flags — end the evaluation

• Refuses video factory tours or third-party inspection.
• Cannot produce a certificate they claim to hold.
• Quotes a full custom product within hours, without asking a single technical question.
• Asks for unusually high deposit percentages or off-book payment routes.
• Certificates that don't match the company name on the contract.

Scoring your shortlist

Score each supplier 0–2 per point (0 = fails, 1 = partial, 2 = verified). Under 25/40: pass. 25–32: acceptable for small trial orders with inspection. 33+: candidate for a real partnership — start with a sample and a trial order regardless. For our own answers to every point, see the factory page and how we control quality.

FAQ

What is the fastest way to verify a tent factory is real?

Ask for a video call from the production floor, the business license, an ISO 9001 certificate number, and references from existing overseas buyers.

Should I visit the factory before ordering?

For large or fully custom orders, yes. For smaller trial orders, a third-party audit (SGS/BV) is a cost-effective substitute.

What payment terms are safe for a first order?

30% deposit and 70% against shipping documents is the norm. Avoid 100% upfront, and be cautious of prices far below the market.