A Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls in Customized Insulated Tumblers - Part 2

There are stories in every mug, and warmth in every life. Hello everyone, welcome to "Dong Dong's Cup Talk" As the peak season for insulated tumblers approaches, our daily business inquiries have been increasing steadily. https://www.zhanyict.com/en/ProductsDetail-VB-10394.htmlAmong these inquiries, we’ve noticed that some friends have extensive experience in customizing tumblers, while others still hold certain misconceptions. Today, we’d like to share some stories from the industry over the years.

To avoid legal issues, we will not use real company or personal names in these stories. Please treat them as fictional tales. https://www.zhanyict.com/en/ProductsDetail-VB-10394.htmlAs adults, we all have our own judgment, and we hope these stories will help you avoid common pitfalls when customizing insulated tumblers. We’ll share these stories in separate installments, each focusing on a different scenario. If you’ve encountered similar or different experiences while purchasing tumblers, feel free to share them with us!

(Disclaimer: The following story is narrated in the first person for clarity, but it did not occur at our factory. https://www.zhanyict.com/en/ProductsDetail-VB-10394.htmlThe content is based on accounts from individuals involved, and we do not verify its accuracy.)

Story 2: The Shocking Secret of Supermarket Promotional Products - Purchaser B (A Well-Known International Supermarket Chain)

Points of Contact: Factory Sales Representative

Procurement Characteristics: Extreme price sensitivity, https://www.zhanyict.com/en/ProductsDetail-VB-10394.htmlpursuit of high cost-effectiveness and rapid turnover, massive order volumes, compliance with international regulations.

B’s Pitfall Experience:

"We" customized a ultra-low-cost promotional insulated tumbler for the European Christmas season, with a clear "316" stamp on the base. The price was highly competitive. However, after the goods arrived in Europe, a nightmare began! https://www.zhanyict.com/en/ProductsDetail-VB-10394.htmlLocal market regulators scraped off the stamped coating during a spot check and tested the material. While the base was indeed made of 316 stainless steel, the rest of the tumbler was entirely made of 201 stainless steel!

This was blatant fraud! The entire batch was reported, removed from shelves, and destroyed due to "severe discrepancy between labeling and actual materials." We faced hefty fines, compensation costs, and nearly lost our key supplier qualification. https://www.zhanyict.com/en/ProductsDetail-VB-10394.htmlThe factory sales representative’s earlier assurance of "full 316 construction" turned out to be a play on words!

Our Advice to Avoid Pitfalls:

1. Scrutinize Contract Wording:

Ensure the contract explicitly states: "The entire tumbler (including all stainless steel components such as inner layer, https://www.zhanyict.com/en/ProductsDetail-VB-10394.htmlouter shell, base, etc.) shall be manufactured using XXX stainless steel (e.g., 316)." Eliminate any ambiguous language.

2. Demand Traceability:

Require the factory to provide original batch numbers/traceability codes for the stainless steel coils used, and retain these records.

3. Conduct Destructive Testing:

After delivery, randomly select samples for destructive testing (cutting open different parts of the tumbler). https://www.zhanyict.com/en/ProductsDetail-VB-10394.htmlUse simple testing solutions or send samples to a lab to verify material consistency. Don’t hesitate to sacrifice a few samples—it’s worth it!

We hope this story helps you make informed decisions and avoid similar pitfalls!