Mods Supplier Scorecard Template — Latin America
There is no clever trick to buying mods well. There is a short list of things worth checking and a long list of things that distract from them. This page is an attempt at the short list.
How Mods Batches Are Checked
The defect rate that matters is the one your customer experiences, not the one the factory reports. Bridge that gap by inspecting the way a customer would open the box, not the way a line worker packs it.
- Model landed cost, not ex-works price, when comparing quotes.
- Rotate stock by batch code rather than by delivery date.
- Keep sealed retained samples from every production batch.
- Start with a mixed carton and let your own sell-through decide.
- Confirm the current customs classification with your own broker.
The Specification That Matters
When we write a mods specification with a distributor, we fix four things first: the resistance band, the liquid capacity tolerance, the puff count methodology and the packaging master carton. Everything else can flex without changing the customer experience.
| Product category | Accessory |
|---|---|
| Resistance band | 1.2 - 1.4 ohm |
| Capacity tolerance | +/- 3% |
| Puff count method | Declared by capacity |
| Master carton | 400 units |
| Carton weight | 3.5 kg |
| Shelf life | 18 months |
| Storage | 15-25 C, dry, away from direct light |
Logistics That Protect Margin
Track mods landed cost per unit as a running number, including duty and local delivery. It is the only figure that tells you whether a supplier change actually improved anything.
Plan the mods customs paperwork at the same time as the order, not when the goods are on the water. A missing document costs more in demurrage than the entire freight saving from a cheap forwarder.
Pricing and Margin
Compare mods quotes on the same incoterm. A price that looks better because it excludes a cost you assumed was included is not a saving at all.
Indicative reference points for planning purposes: entry tier from USD 1.34 per unit at 1000 units, mid tier at USD 1.76, and volume tier at USD 0.74 for full container quantities. These figures move with specification, packaging and freight, so treat them as a shape rather than a quote.
How Mods Fits the Assortment
Category planning for mods works best when you map it against three shopper types: the restocker who already knows what they want, the switcher who wants something stronger, and the explorer who buys on flavour name alone.
Before anything else, decide which customer you are buying mods for. A convenience counter with limited shelf depth needs a tight range that turns quickly, while a specialist shop can carry a deeper ladder of options and educate buyers into higher ticket lines.
Practical Checklist
- Rotate stock by batch code rather than by delivery date.
- Start with a mixed carton and let your own sell-through decide.
- Model landed cost, not ex-works price, when comparing quotes.
- Keep sealed retained samples from every production batch.
- Check carton dimensions against your freight quote before confirming.
- Agree the tolerance band in writing before approving artwork.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the packaging be customised?
Yes. Most mods programmes use private label packaging once volumes justify the printing plate. We supply dielines, check your artwork for print issues and hold approved files so reorders need no new setup.
How are price changes handled on repeat orders?
{K} pricing is reviewed against input costs and volume rather than adjusted casually. Any change is confirmed in writing before the next order is scheduled, with the reason stated so you can judge it yourself.
What does a sample pack usually include?
A typical mods sample pack covers the strengths or variants you are most likely to list, packed so you can evaluate them side by side. Tell us which lines you are considering and we will match the pack to that rather than sending a generic selection.
How should mods be stored?
Cool, dry and out of direct sunlight. Heat and light are the two things that shorten shelf life fastest. Rotate stock by batch code rather than by arrival date, and keep cartons off concrete floors in humid warehouses.
What if I only need a small first order?
That is normal and sensible. A mixed carton lets you test mods in your own market before committing to a production run, and the specification you approve at that stage carries through to larger orders unchanged.
Next Step
If you are comparing options right now, send us the specification you have been quoted elsewhere. A side by side reading usually shows where the price difference actually comes from, and that is the most useful first conversation to have.
Related Reading
- Common Mods Mistakes New Distributors Make — Warehouse Teams
- Mods Component Sourcing Behind the Finished Unit — First-Time Importers
- Mods Returns Data and What It Is Telling You — Southeast Asia
- Mods Sample Approval Meeting Agenda — 2026 Edition
- Setting Minimum Order Quantities for Mods — Latin America
- Merchandising Mods Inside a Physical Store — Entry-Level Price Points