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 →Working With Distributors and Wholesalers
Selling a lock is different from using one. The person who buys from you did not read the manual, did not choose the model, and will judge you on whether it worked. That changes what a distributor should order and how.
What a distributor order needs that a one-off does not
Swipe the table sideways to see the full specification →
| A recorded specification | So the second order is a repeat, not a new negotiation |
|---|---|
| Packaging that survives resale | A box that arrives shop-ready, not a bulk carton |
| A range decision | Two proven models rather than five interesting ones |
| A stock release plan | Delivery phased against warehouse capacity |
| Documentation | Certificates and manuals in the language your market reads |
Private label costs less than most distributors expect
Marking on the panel, a colour box and a manual in your language are the lowest-cost changes available. Tooling only enters the picture when the shape of the body or the panel changes, which most distributors never need.
- Marking on the panel or body: no tooling
- Colour box and manual: a proof cycle and a print run minimum
- Master carton marking: usually inexpensive, one colour on an existing box
- A new body or panel: tooling, a sample round and a higher first order
Why the first order should record everything
The specification is frozen in writing on the quotation: colour, finish, body, app version, packaging and carton marking. The first article of a new specification is measured against the drawing, and the batch number is recorded.
Swipe the table sideways to see the full specification →
| Frozen on the quotation | Everything that affects what the customer receives |
|---|---|
| First article | Measured before the run continues |
| Batch number | Recorded, so a claim can be traced to the stage that produced it |
| Repeat order | Runs against the same frozen file rather than a new conversation |
Packaging decides the MOQ more often than the product does
The floor is set by whichever is highest: the production minimum, the print run for the packaging, or what the line will schedule. A neutral carton order can be smaller than a printed box order for the same lock.
Phased stock release
Where your warehouse cannot take the full quantity at once, the order is held and released against your instruction. The order value reaches the minimum while the goods arrive when you can store them.
Swipe the table sideways to see the full specification →
| Order once, deliver in phases | Arranged at quote stage |
|---|---|
| Split by model | Take the fast movers first |
| Accessories with the order | Gateways and spare parts cost less to add now |
| Documents per phase | Invoices and packing lists matching what was delivered |
How we work with you
- The first order records the specification, in writing
- Artwork is approved as a digital proof before printing
- Production photographs are sent before the balance payment
- Stock is released in phases against your instruction
- The repeat order starts from the recorded file
If the first order's specification is not written down, the second order is a negotiation rather than a repeat. That is the difference a distributor feels first.
Buyer Questions
Three questions this guide usually raises.
On this topic
Can we put our brand on the lock without tooling?
Yes. Marking on the panel or the body is laser-etched or printed and needs no new mould. Tooling applies only where the body or panel shape changes.
How do we keep the second order identical to the first?
The specification is frozen in writing on the quotation, the first article is measured against the drawing, and the batch number is recorded.
Can delivery be split across several months?
Yes. Phased release is arranged at quote stage, so the order value reaches the minimum while the goods arrive against your warehouse capacity.
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 →