What you are buying and on what basis.
WHAT TO AGREE IN WRITING
Specification, precisely Quantity and any minimum Price, and how it changes Lead time Delivery terms and who bears cost and risk Payment terms Quality requirements and how they are assessed What happens on defect or late delivery Duration and termination
WHY SPECIFICATION PRECISELY
Most quality disputes are specification disputes.
WHAT A SPECIFICATION SHOULD STATE
Dimensions and tolerances Materials Performance requirements Appearance, where it matters Packaging Marking and labelling
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
An agreed sample, retained by both parties.
WHY
It settles disputes that words cannot.
WHAT DELIVERY TERMS DETERMINE
Where risk transfers Who pays for transport Who handles clearance and duty
WHY IT MATTERS
Assumptions about these are a common and expensive misunderstanding.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
The point at which the goods become yours.
WHAT TO AGREE ABOUT PRICE CHANGES
Notice required Whether prices are fixed for a period What triggers adjustment
WHY
Unannounced increases destroy margins.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH ABOUT LATE DELIVERY
Notification requirements Consequences
WHY NOTIFICATION MATTERS MOST
Warned delay can be managed; discovered delay cannot.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH ABOUT DEFECTS
Who inspects, when, and what happens.
WHAT TO AVOID
Ordering on terms you have not read.
