Comparing Two Jewellery Suppliers Fairly: A Retailer's Scorecard
by Jihaan Savla on Oct 18, 2026
Quick answer: Send both suppliers the same brief, place a small trial order with each in the same week, and score six things from 1 to 5: photographs, stock confirmation, packing, dispatch time, communication and issue handling. Add the scores and note the reasons. Price matters, but a supplier who scores well on these six usually costs you less in returns, delays and lost buyers.
Updated October 2026
Most shops choose a jewellery supplier by comparing rates, then discover the real differences after the first parcel arrives. A rate sheet cannot show you how fast a supplier replies, how accurate the photographs are or what happens when a piece is damaged. This guide gives a retailer's scorecard you can use on any two suppliers, including us, so the comparison is fair. It uses general buying practice and no invented figures. If you are still building your question list, start with what to ask a supplier before your first order.
Why use a scorecard instead of just comparing rates?
A scorecard turns a feeling into a record. Two suppliers can quote the same rate and still cost you very different amounts once you count time spent chasing replies, unsold pieces that looked better in photographs and complaints from your own buyers. Writing the scores down also protects you from favouring the supplier who was friendliest on the first call. Keep it simple: six points, scores from 1 to 5, and one line of reasoning for each.
How do I run a fair test between two suppliers?
Give both suppliers exactly the same conditions. Send the same message describing your shop type and the categories you sell, ask for designs and rates in the same categories, and place a small trial order with each in the same week. Choose a similar mix, for example a few earrings, one necklace set and a few bangles or bracelets. Note the day and time of every message, because response time is part of the score.
How do I score photographs?
Good photographs show the real colour, the size against a hand or neck and the back or clasp of the piece. Score 5 if the photographs are clear, consistent and match what arrives. Score 1 if they are heavily edited or you have to ask repeatedly for a better image. When the parcel arrives, place the piece beside its photograph and note any difference in colour, stone size or finish. Photographs also matter after purchase, because you will reuse them to sell; see our guide on photographing and posting jewellery for festive sales.
How do I score stock confirmation?
Ask whether the exact designs and quantities you chose are available, and note how the supplier answers. A clear reply with a confirmed total scores high. A vague yes followed by substitutions after payment scores low. The ordering flow we follow is simple: you message with your shop type and categories, we send designs and rates, you confirm quantities, and we confirm stock and the total before payment. Any supplier you compare should be able to describe their own flow just as clearly. Our guide to ordering wholesale jewellery in India explains the steps.
How do I score packing and dispatch time?
Score packing on what you see at unboxing: are pieces separated, protected from rubbing, and are sets kept together? Score dispatch on the gap between payment and the day the parcel leaves, and on whether the supplier told you the dispatch time before you paid. Inspect the parcel the same day it arrives, using the steps in how to check a wholesale jewellery parcel on delivery. Record the delivery date as well, because transport time is partly outside the supplier's control and should not be blamed on packing.
How do I score communication and issue handling?
For communication, note three things: how quickly you got a first reply, whether answers were specific, and whether one person handled your questions. For issue handling, ask in writing before you order what happens if a piece arrives damaged or wrong, and save the reply. If an issue does occur, note how fast and how politely it was dealt with. Do not invent a policy for either supplier: score only what each one actually told you or did. For your own side of this, see how to handle complaints and damaged pieces in a shop.
How do I add up the scores and decide?
Add the six scores for each supplier, then look at the lowest score before the total. A supplier with a total of 24 but a score of 1 on stock confirmation is riskier than one with 22 and no weak point. If two suppliers are close, split your next order and repeat the test with a larger quantity. Many shops keep two suppliers by category, for example one for bridal sets and one for daily-wear earrings. To avoid unreliable sellers entirely, read how to avoid wholesale jewellery scams.
- Photographs: clear, true colour, size visible.
- Stock confirmation: exact designs, quantities and total confirmed before payment.
- Packing: pieces separated, sets kept together.
- Dispatch time: told before payment, then met.
- Communication: prompt, specific, one point of contact.
- Issue handling: asked in writing, answered clearly.
Related planning guides: planning a festive promotion without discounts and displaying jewellery in a shop window and at night. More retailer guides are on our blog.
Saloni Fashion Jewellery supplies shops and online sellers across India from Santacruz West, Mumbai, with photographs available for the designs you stock, and welcomes showroom visits. Details are on our wholesale page. To score us against your current supplier, message us on WhatsApp at +91 98705 89560 with your shop type and categories.
