Mod Supplier Scorecard Template — Busy Buyers
We ship mod to distributors in very different markets, and the same five questions come up almost every week. Rather than answer them in email each time, we have written them out properly here.
Where Mod Sits in the Range
Mod rewards retailers who can explain it in one sentence. If your team needs a paragraph, the range is too complicated for the space it occupies.
Range decisions for mod should start from shelf space, not from a supplier catalogue. Count the facings you actually have, then decide how many of them this line deserves against what it currently earns.
The Specification That Matters
A written mod specification should be short enough to read in a minute and precise enough to argue about. If a factory cannot confirm a number in writing, assume the number is whatever is cheapest that week.
Pay attention to how a mod supplier responds when you ask for a tolerance they do not want to commit to. The hesitation is usually more informative than the eventual answer.
| Product category | Refillable kit |
|---|---|
| Resistance band | 0.8 - 1.0 ohm |
| Capacity tolerance | +/- 5% |
| Puff count method | Machine cycle 3s on / 27s off |
| Master carton | 300 units |
| Carton weight | 11.8 kg |
| Shelf life | 24 months |
| Storage | 15-25 C, dry, away from direct light |
Pricing and Margin
Watch the mod price you pay over a year rather than per order. Factories respond well to visible volume, and a quarterly review is usually worth more than a hard negotiation each time.
Compare mod quotes on the same incoterm. A price that looks better because it excludes a cost you assumed was included is not a saving at all.
Indicative reference points for planning purposes: entry tier from USD 1.42 per unit at 1000 units, mid tier at USD 0.74, and volume tier at USD 0.63 for full container quantities. These figures move with specification, packaging and freight, so treat them as a shape rather than a quote.
Selling Mod at Store Level
Rotate mod facing rather than price for the first month. Visibility changes sell-through more reliably than a small discount, and it does not train customers to wait for offers.
Market Signals
The most durable mod lines over the last few years have been unglamorous and consistent. Novelty sells once; reliability sells every month.
Practical Checklist
- Confirm the current customs classification with your own broker.
- Start with a mixed carton and let your own sell-through decide.
- Agree the tolerance band in writing before approving artwork.
- Ask how the factory measures puff count, then compare like with like.
- Model landed cost, not ex-works price, when comparing quotes.
- Keep sealed retained samples from every production batch.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a mod order take to arrive?
Production typically takes ten to eighteen working days after artwork approval, and transit depends on the method you choose. Air express is fastest, sea freight is cheapest at volume. We confirm both at quotation so there is no surprise later.
What does a sample pack usually include?
A typical mod sample pack covers the strengths or variants you are most likely to list, packed so you can evaluate them side by side. Tell us which lines you are considering and we will match the pack to that rather than sending a generic selection.
Can I visit the production facility?
Yes, and we encourage it for larger programmes. Visits are most useful when you already have a draft specification, because you can then check the specific processes behind the numbers you care about.
Can I mix strengths in one order?
In most cases yes, as long as each strength meets the minimum run length. Mixed strength cartons are popular with retailers building their first display because they show the full ladder without over committing.
What if I only need a small first order?
That is normal and sensible. A mixed carton lets you test mod in your own market before committing to a production run, and the specification you approve at that stage carries through to larger orders unchanged.
Next Step
Nobody wins when a first order is too large to learn from. Start with a mixed carton, check how it moves in your own market, then scale the lines that earned the shelf space.
Related Reading
- Mod Monthly Review Ritual for Buyers — Duty and Tax Worked Out
- Mod Damage Claims and How to Avoid Them — Tight Margin Categories
- Mod Packaging Waste and Recycling Options — First-Time Importers
- Mod Colour Matching Across Production Runs — Freight Included
- Mod Growing From Pallet to Container — Southeast Asia
- Mod Promotional Mechanics That Do Not Erode Value — Oceania