How to Place a First Smart Lock Order Without Wasting a Quarter
The sequence that turns a first order into a repeat programme.
Read the article →MOQ and How to Phase a First Smart Lock Order
MOQ is quoted as though it were one number. In practice the floor is set by whichever of three things is highest: the production minimum, the print run minimum for the packaging, and the smallest quantity the line will schedule.
The three minimums behind one number
Swipe the table sideways to see the full specification →
| Production minimum | Set by the assembly line and the tooling |
|---|---|
| Packaging minimum | Set by the print method for the colour box or manual |
| Scheduling minimum | Set by what the factory will put on the line at all |
| What you are quoted | The highest of the three, usually |
This is why a neutral carton order can be smaller than a printed colour box order for the same lock. The product did not change; the packaging did.
Packaging is the hidden threshold
- Neutral carton and a plain manual: the lowest floor
- Printed colour box: a print run minimum above the product minimum
- Multi-language manual: a second print run, and its own minimum
- Custom carton marking: usually cheap, because it is one colour on an existing box
If the first order has to be small, start with marking on a neutral box and move to a printed box on the second order.
Three ways to phase a first order
Swipe the table sideways to see the full specification →
| By model | Order a smaller quantity of two or three models you expect to re-order |
|---|---|
| By packaging | Start with neutral cartons and add printed packaging later |
| By delivery | Place one order and take delivery in phases against your instruction |
Phasing by delivery is the least obvious and often the most useful. The order value reaches the minimum while the goods arrive when your warehouse can take them.
Mixing models inside one order
Mixed models inside one trial order are accepted, and it is how most distributors test a range. Each model is specified line by line on the quotation rather than as one blended figure.
- Each model carries its own specification, so nothing is assumed
- The MOQ may apply per model rather than to the order total
- Accessories such as gateways are specified on the same order
- Spare parts are cheaper to add now than to ship later
Ordering spares and accessories with the first batch
Spare cards, gateways, additional cylinders and matching keys all cost less to add to an existing shipment than to send separately. A second shipment for a small part usually costs more in freight than the part itself.
Swipe the table sideways to see the full specification →
| Gateways | One per cluster of locks, specified with the lock order |
|---|---|
| Spare cards | Ordered with the locks, because a re-order carries its own lead time |
| Additional keys | Cheaper to cut during production than afterwards |
| Batteries | Confirm whether they ship installed, and what the freight class is |
When to combine and when to wait
Swipe the table sideways to see the full specification →
| Combine now | When the extra quantity is a model you will definitely re-order |
|---|---|
| Combine now | When the accessory has a long lead time of its own |
| Wait | When the extra quantity is a model you have not tested |
| Wait | When the additional volume would only be justified by a price break you have not confirmed |
Ask what sets the minimum on your specific order. A supplier who can name which of the three minimums applies has actually looked at your order.
Buyer Questions
Three questions this guide usually raises.
On this topic
Can I order below the stated MOQ?
Sometimes, and it depends on which minimum is binding. With neutral packaging the floor is usually the production minimum, which is lower than a printed box order.
Can I mix models in one order?
Yes, within one trial order, with each model specified line by line on the quotation. The minimum may apply per model rather than to the order total.
Should I order spares with the first batch?
Yes for anything with its own lead time, such as spare cards or gateways. A second shipment for a small part usually costs more in freight than the part.
Related Reading
How to Measure a Door for a Smart Lock: A Photo Guide
Five photos and three numbers are usually enough to confirm the fit.
Read the article →OEM Packaging for Smart Locks: From Artwork to Sealed Carton
The packaging is the part buyers underestimate, and the part that cannot be changed once it is printed.
Read the article →