Supplier changed payment terms after a small order grew

harborquote_88

I have been buying a low-volume accessory from a supplier in Zhejiang for about eight months. The first orders were prepaid, then we moved to 30 percent deposit and balance before dispatch once the relationship felt stable. Last week I increased the order size because a customer needs a larger batch, and the supplier now wants full payment before production starts.

I understand their risk is higher, but the change landed after we had already agreed on unit pricing and delivery timing by email. I do not want to damage the relationship, and I also do not want to carry all the risk when the batch is now large enough to matter. Has anyone used a middle path here, such as staged inspection payments, a capped deposit, or a short written purchase agreement that both sides actually respected?

pearlriver_ops

A staged structure has worked for me: deposit to start, second payment after photos and short video of packed goods, final payment after a third-party inspection report. It adds cost, but it gives both sides a reason to stay aligned.

ningbo_invoicebox

If the supplier is worried about raw material exposure, ask what portion is material cost and offer to cover that as the first payment. That frames the issue around a real risk instead of a power move over the whole invoice.

china-checkin-desk

Put the agreed timing in a purchase order even if the relationship has been informal. It does not need to be long. The important parts are quantity, material spec, inspection point, payment dates, and what happens if production misses the promised window.