2. Compromised Product Quality - a.k.a (Did I get what I paid for?)

The Challenge
This one is a bit tricky, especially when sourcing products from manufacturers you've never worked with before.  A procurement specialist was once burned by a supplier who promised high-quality service sets but when the goods arrived, they were far below the expected standard. It turned out that after negotiating for a cheaper price per unit, the supplier sent lower quality products believing the customer wouldn't know the difference — a costly mistake.

Solution
Although quality control is non-negotiable, certain products can have 2-3 levels of quality or "grading" for the material used.  Some suppliers won't disclose that to clients. But if you ask for a cheap price & they agree too easily - then it's possible you were just downgraded to 2cd or 3rd quality. 

Request product samples before committing to orders. When sourcing lighting or various products for clients buying in bulk, we don't mind sending prototypes to ensure the quality matches expectations.  Hopping on a flight to visit Istanbul to conduct inspections before shipment - isn't always possible.  Therefore, we also send videos or pics of products to put a client at ease and address their concerns. 

Tip: Always ask for references, and a clear description of the materials being used. If possible, see the manufacturing process in action or at the very least ask for photos.