# Dropship Evaluator — Quality Checklist

Use this checklist for every product and supplier evaluation. A completed checklist must be attached to the evaluation report before any launch is approved.

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## Category 1: Market Opportunity (8 items)

- [ ] Searched Meta Ad Library for product — counted active ads and noted longest-running
- [ ] Identified at least one ad running 90+ days (demand signal confirmed)
- [ ] Checked Amazon for category saturation — noted #1 seller review count
- [ ] Confirmed Amazon #1 seller has <5,000 reviews OR a clear differentiation angle exists
- [ ] Searched AliExpress for oldest listing — noted age in evaluation report
- [ ] Identified a unique ad angle not currently used by top 3 competitors
- [ ] Confirmed demand is not seasonal-only (or noted seasonality risk)
- [ ] Checked Google Trends — confirmed stable or growing trend over 12 months

## Category 2: Supplier Discovery (6 items)

- [ ] Found minimum 3 suppliers from at least 2 different platforms
- [ ] Confirmed each supplier has been active for ≥12 months
- [ ] Checked supplier feedback score — all shortlisted suppliers ≥95%
- [ ] Verified supplier has real product photos (not just renders)
- [ ] Confirmed supplier has fulfilled ≥50 orders (or has credible track record)
- [ ] Sent the 4-question inquiry to all shortlisted suppliers

## Category 3: Supplier Communication (5 items)

- [ ] Measured response time for each supplier precisely
- [ ] Confirmed supplier answered all 4 inquiry questions (not a template response)
- [ ] Supplier provided specific transit time to target market (not "depends")
- [ ] Supplier confirmed current stock level with a number
- [ ] White-label packaging options discussed (even if not selected)

## Category 4: Margin Modeling (7 items)

- [ ] COGS obtained from winning supplier (confirmed in writing, not estimated)
- [ ] Shipping cost to target market confirmed (not listed price — actual quote)
- [ ] Platform and app fees calculated per-order basis
- [ ] Payment processing fees included in model
- [ ] Return rate estimated based on product category benchmarks
- [ ] Margin modeled at 3 CPA scenarios (optimistic / realistic / pessimistic)
- [ ] Net margin ≥15% at realistic CPA scenario confirmed

## Category 5: Sample Evaluation (8 items)

- [ ] Sample ordered from top supplier (and optionally backup)
- [ ] Sample ordered with expedited shipping
- [ ] Actual delivery time recorded vs. stated transit time
- [ ] Product photographed from all 6 sides (or angles)
- [ ] Product dimensions/weight verified against listing specifications
- [ ] Product functionality tested (if applicable)
- [ ] Packaging quality assessed (box/poly bag condition, labeling, branding options)
- [ ] Listing photos compared to actual product — discrepancies noted

## Category 6: Supplier Stress Test (4 items)

- [ ] "Damaged product" inquiry sent to primary supplier
- [ ] Response time to problem scenario measured
- [ ] Resolution offered (replacement/refund/credit) documented
- [ ] Communication quality rated and documented in scorecard

## Category 7: Backup Supplier (4 items)

- [ ] At least one backup supplier identified and evaluated
- [ ] Backup supplier scored ≥21/35 on the scoring matrix
- [ ] Backup COGS and shipping cost documented
- [ ] Backup supplier inquiry thread kept open

## Category 8: Launch Documentation (5 items)

- [ ] Final scorecard completed with all 7 dimensions scored
- [ ] Decision (Approved / Conditional / Rejected) signed off by team lead
- [ ] Output template completed and filed
- [ ] Primary and backup supplier details documented
- [ ] Launch ad angle and initial budget documented

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**Checklist completed by**: _______________  
**Date**: _______________  
**Product**: _______________  
**Decision**: ✅ Approved / ⚠️ Conditional / ❌ Rejected