Getting You Product Inspections Right First Time (2of 2)

[et_bloom_inline optin_id=optin_3]

Andy Church is back on Product Inspections

Product Inspections report

  • Allocation time for inspection on 2,000 units
  • When is the inspection going to be done and impact on shipping on time
  • Last thing a buyer wants is an inspection delaying shipping

Plan time in for Product Inspections

  • Understanding the timeline at the beginning
  • You can then hold the factory to the date for inspection
  • Product Inspections are a 2 day window
  • If a problem is found then make sure the factory has time to put things right before they need to be shipped
  • Ideally 3-5 days before they need to be at the Port for shipping
  • Regardless of the order size it’s still a day at least and turnaround time on the report
  • Add in a week to Factory timelines as they are often aggressive and slips happen
  • Allow for delays by the factory

AQL Tables – 100% inspections

  • Not always effective
  • Inspector is fatigued
  • 300 sample size is the number of pieces an inspector can inspect in a given day
  • An order size bigger than this is a challenge for 100%
  • Inspector fatigue impacts the quality of the inspection as the high volume of units inspected through the day gets lower as time goes
  • Decision fatigue also has a part to play in this (Steve Jobs wearing the same outfit each day to preserve his decisions quota)
  • Acceptance Quality Limit = AQL (worst level of quality your able to tolerate)
  • An AQL chart is out there and it’s quite simple once you understand
  • What level fo defects you willing to accept
  • Then the order quantity
  • Then sample size
  • And the number of defects can be observed and still pass
  • Accept and Reject criteria is on the chart for you to decide what’s acceptable

Product Inspections Levels Setting

  • Three levels of defects
    • Critical
      • Always a Zero (One defect at this level then reject)
      • Anything that would cause injury to or safety hazard to the user
      • Electrical: shock
      • Sharp toys
      • Needle in plush teddy bear
    • Major and Minor
      • 2.5 defects (5%)
      • 18 inches from eyes and arms length
      • Affect usability or saleability
      • Carton is crushed
      • Missing components
      • Put it together and can’t use it
      • Would be returned
    • Minor
      • 4.0 defects
      • Not affect usability or saleability
      • But not as specified
      • Scratches, etc
      • Unlikely to be returned
  • You may want to lower the defect numbers on these levels depending on your risk, standards and costs
  • Upto you to decide with you and the Factory before you place the order to set the AQL levels

Define at Order time

  • AQLs should be established and included in your order to he factory
  • The factory should be able to follow these in their own internal quality processes

An Inspection Fails

  • Agree up front what happens if the inspection fails
  • You may decide to pay the re-inspection costs
  • Most times the factory is responsible for the re-inspection costs
  • The factory needs to know they have responsibility
  • Factories agree to these up-front to avoid upset
  • Use as a bargaining tool
  • If an inspection fails for minor defects – buyers will still purchase but it’s got minor scratches
  • If the minor defect level was exceeded – you might ship it but agree a discount to take it as is and meet your ship date
  • Some agree to replace any returns on the next shipment – so all returns are compensated

Inspection Provider

  • Should be willing to have a conversation with you about the process
  • What you need to consider from a defect point
  • The buyer and factory should be an expert in their product but…
  • Working with the Factory and Inspections service should cover what’s needed in defect terms and levels and agree what the inspection criteria should be
  • For Danny – this inspection step is simply a corner you can’t cut! The cost to you of a failed products that you have to pull out of hte Warehouse

Contact

RELATED POSTS

Unlocking Click Bias Secrets Seller Sessions A9
Colin Raja Seller Sessions Podcast (1)
Shopping queries dataset Seller Sessions
Seller Sessions Podcast Elizabeth Greene
Multi objective ranking
seller sessions the complete guide to autocomplete on amazon
A9 Bot How To Get The Most Out Of Your Listing Optimisation (1)
1 2 3 98
databrill logo

Looking for a Better Agency?

Are you a 7 or 8-figure Amazon seller who is…

Databrill Logo

Looking for a Better Agency?

Are you a 7 or 8-figure Amazon seller who is…