For buyers evaluating a new supplier
Questions to Ask a Decorative Pebble Exporter Before Ordering
A good supplier will answer these directly. Evasive answers on grading and packing are the clearest early warning sign.
On the product
Get specifics, not adjectives.
- — What is the exact size band, and what tolerance applies?
- — Is the colour natural, and is anything applied to the surface?
- — How is the stone sorted, and what defect rate is considered acceptable?
- — Can I see photographs of the batch that will actually ship?
On packing and loading
These answers determine your landed cost.
- — What packing options are available and what does each cost?
- — How much net weight will actually load for my destination?
- — Is timber packaging ISPM-15 compliant?
On documentation and terms
Ambiguity here creates delays at the port, not at the quarry.
- — Which documents will be provided, and in what format?
- — Which Incoterms do you quote?
- — What happens if a size band is short at loading time?
On consistency
Ask directly how repeat orders are matched to previous shipments. Any supplier who claims perfect batch-to-batch matching of natural stone is overselling.
On communication and responsiveness
Ask how enquiries and order updates are handled day to day, and through what channel. A supplier who is slow or vague before the order is placed is unlikely to improve once payment has cleared.
On capacity and lead time
Ask what lead time is realistic for your quantity given current production, and whether that changes for repeat orders. Overpromising on lead time is a common source of later disappointment.
A supplier due diligence checklist
Run through these points before placing a first order with a new supplier.
- — Were the sample and batch photographs provided without repeated chasing?
- — Did the quotation state Incoterm, packing and validity clearly?
- — Were questions about sorting and defect rate answered specifically?
- — Is lead time stated in writing rather than as a verbal estimate?
- — Were documentation requirements discussed proactively?
Reading between the lines of vague answers
If questions on size tolerance, defect rate or packing cost are answered with general reassurance rather than specific figures, treat that as a prompt to ask again rather than to proceed. A supplier confident in their grading process will usually give a direct, specific answer, while a vague response often signals the process itself is not tightly controlled.
Related questions
- Should lead time be confirmed in writing?
- Yes, ask for lead time to be stated in the quotation rather than left as a verbal estimate.
- Is a slow pre-sale response a warning sign?
- Generally yes — responsiveness before an order is placed rarely improves once payment has been made.
Products covered in this guide
More guides in our export resources library (10 guides), or browse country export pages.