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First-time mold buy from China, how do I vet this shop before I wire 30% deposit?
I'm a US buyer sourcing aftermarket underbody shields and trim clips. After two months of quotes I've narrowed to a Ningbo shop for a 2-cavity P20 family mold, ~$18K, 30/70 T/T. Problem is I can't tell a real tool shop from a trading company. Their quote is 15% under the other two, they dodge questions about steel mill certs and say "we use good steel, no worry." I asked for a DFM report and last three tooling references with US customers—got a two-page PDF with no gate layout and references that don't answer emails. They're pushing me to sign before Chinese New Year and lock in the price. Anyone got a checklist that actually works—video audit, mold trial before balance payment, what to put in the PO? What's a red flag I'm missing here?
1 Answers
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A 15% gap under the other two quotes is your first red flag, and dodged questions are the second. First, get their business license and check the scope: trading companies usually list "trade" or "import/export," real tool shops list mold manufacturing. Then ask for the mold steel cert for the P20 block (DIN 1.2311, mill cert with heat number) and photos of the actual cavity insert machining, not stock images. A genuine shop will walk you through their CNC and EDM setup and share a PPAP or first-article report from a past job. If they can't produce a steel cert and process sheet, budget for a third-party tooling audit before you wire that 30% down.
#1 Sven Andersen
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