Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what buyers ask before booking an inspection. No jargon, no hidden clauses — just the numbers.
1.0 Before Trust — “Who are you? Which side are you on?”
1.1 Do you work for the buyer or the factory?
A: For the buyer. We only accept buyer-paid inspections. The factory cannot influence the report conclusion — your interest is our position.
1.2 Are your inspectors qualified?
A: All certified QCs with ongoing internal training. Every report is double-reviewed by a QA manager before delivery — not template-filling, not a walk-through.
1.3 Is my product info confidential? Can we sign an NDA?
A: Yes — send us your NDA version and we’ll sign it. Product drawings and specs are used for inspection only, never shared with third parties or the factory. A small team lives on reputation — we have no PR department to clean up our messes, so we’re extra careful.
1.4 Why should I choose you over a big-name agency?
A: Big agencies replace service with systems. We replace systems with service. You get a real human who remembers your name, knows your products, and replies to your messages — not a ticket number. No registration, no forms, no repeating yourself to four different people.
2.0 Before Paying — “How much? Any hidden fees?”
2.1 What’s included in US$238? Any extra charges?
A: All-inclusive. Travel, meals, reasonable overtime, first English report + CoC — all included. Only extra report copies (US$28/copy), factory audits, multi-day inspections, lab testing, and rush bookings are separate — all disclosed upfront, no surprise add-ons after.
2.2 Do remote factories cost extra?
A: No. Flat US$238/man-day for all factories across China, no distance cap, no remote surcharge.
2.3 Is there a minimum order or annual contract?
A: None. One-off bookings welcome, including first-time clients. No minimum quantity, no framework agreement required.
2.4 How long is the quote valid? Can I get a quote without booking?
A: Quotes valid for 30 days. Getting a quote is free with no obligation to book. Compare at your own pace — come back when you’re ready.
2.5 What costs extra?
A: Extra report copies (US$28/copy), factory audits, multi-day inspections, and rush bookings. Everything is disclosed before confirmation — we won’t arrange anything without telling you first.
2.6 Does the price change by product type?
A: Standard pre-shipment inspection is a flat US$238/man-day. Only exceptionally complex products or very large volumes may require additional man-days — the unit rate stays the same.
3.0 Before Booking — “How do I book? Is it a hassle?”
3.1 How do I book? Do you have an online system?
A: No system, no registration needed. Email qa@qa1.com.cn or message us on WeChat / WhatsApp with your product, factory, and date. Or fill our Inspection Request Form (optional) — clear info in your email works just fine.
3.2 How far in advance should I book?
A: 2–3 days is ideal. For urgent requests, just message us — we’ll do our best based on inspector availability.
3.3 What if I need to reschedule or cancel?
A: Free reschedule with 48+ hours notice. Within 48 hours, we only charge actual travel costs incurred — no penalty fees, no bureaucracy.
3.4 Can I request a specific inspector?
A: Yes. Returning clients get priority assignment for inspectors they’ve worked with — someone who already knows your products and standards.
3.5 How do I track my order without a portal?
A: Your contact person pushes updates to you proactively: confirmation the day before, live photos on inspection day, report delivered the moment it’s ready. No portal to log into.
3.6 Can you squeeze in a rush booking?
A: Depending on inspector availability, we’ll try. Rush fees are told upfront — no surprise charges after confirmation.
4.0 Before Inspection — “What do you check? What if the factory won’t cooperate?”
4.1 What do you inspect? What sampling standard?
A: Default is ISO 2859-1 AQL; we can also follow your custom standard. On-site checks cover appearance, measurement, function, packaging, and shipping marks, with defects classified by severity. Standards are aligned with all parties before booking — no last-minute changes.
4.2 What don’t you inspect?
A: Lab testing (chemical, physical) is not included. We can help collect samples and send to a third-party lab — you pay the lab directly. Specialized testing equipment must be provided by you or sourced locally by us (cost passed at zero markup).
4.3 Can I or the factory attend on-site?
A: Yes. You and/or the factory are welcome to be present for real-time defect review and discussion.
4.4 What if the factory refuses access?
A: We notify you immediately and discuss options together. You’re only charged for actual hours worked — no full man-day fee. We ask you what to do; we don’t decide alone.
4.5 Will the inspector point out defects to the factory on the spot?
A: Yes. Defects are marked on-site, you’re kept informed, and initial correction advice is given. We don’t just tick boxes and leave.
4.6 What’s your photo policy?
A: Full-scene photos: appearance, defects, packaging, shipping marks, nameplates — 50+ annotated photos delivered with the report.
5.0 After the Report — “How fast? What language? I can’t read it.”
5.1 How soon is the report? What language?
A: English report delivered within 24–48 hours after inspection, with a free Certificate of Conformity (CoC).
5.2 What’s in the report?
A: Quantity verification, defect classification (critical/major/minor), 50+ annotated photos, sampling method, packaging and shipping mark records. Every defect photo is labeled — not a few random snapshots.
5.3 Can I send the report to my overseas buyer?
A: Yes. The report is designed for overseas buyer review and customs clearance. Extra copies US$28 each; the first is free.
5.4 Can the report format be adjusted?
A: Yes — we can tailor it to your needs. Delivered to your inbox, not downloaded from a fixed template in a portal.
5.5 I can’t read the report — can someone explain it?
A: Yes. Just ask your contact person — they know your case. No consulting fee.
5.6 What if I disagree with the report?
A: Contact your contact person directly. A QA manager will re-check the original photos and records with you. No formal appeal process, no waiting weeks.
6.0 After Something Goes Wrong & Long-Term — “What if it fails? Who covers a miss? Can we grow together?”
6.1 What if the goods fail inspection?
A: A non-conformance report is issued for you to take to your supplier. We provide correction advice but don’t get involved in commercial negotiation between you and the factory. Re-inspection can be arranged at a discounted rate.
6.2 Who’s liable if you miss a defect?
A: We perform inspections per standard — the report is a professional opinion, not a 100% guarantee. If a miss is confirmed as our error, our QC manager will communicate and resolve it directly with you. We can’t afford a miss — that’s why every report is reviewed before it goes out.
6.3 Payment terms? Invoice?
A: Invoices available in the quoted currency. New clients: full payment before inspection. Established clients: monthly billing can be discussed.
6.4 Discounts for long-term cooperation?
A: Yes — negotiated directly and flexibly, no need to wait for an annual framework. Factory audits are a separate service (custom quote); lab testing we don’t run ourselves, but we can help send samples to a third-party lab.
The Bottom Line
Big agencies write disclaimer manuals. CQI writes a booking accelerator.
We do three things: kill price fear · lower the action barrier · turn “no portal” into a human advantage.