Choosing a Research Supplier: A Due-Diligence Checklist
Price is one input, not the whole decision. Here is what else is worth checking before you place an order with a new supplier.
Start with verification, not price
A batch-specific, independently tested COA is a stronger signal than a low price. A supplier that publishes COAs openly and links them per batch is giving you more to check than one that emails a PDF on request, or not at all.
Shipping and policy transparency
Clear shipping timelines, a stated shipping cost (or an honestly-labelled "unknown" rather than a hidden fee revealed at checkout), and a published returns or refund policy are all things a legitimate supplier should be willing to state plainly.
Consistency over time
A single good experience does not prove reliability, and neither does a single bad one. Where available, look at how a supplier’s pricing, stock status and lab reports have looked over time rather than a single snapshot.
Red flags worth taking seriously
Purity or identity claims with no COA to back them, prices that sit far outside every other listing for the same product, and an unwillingness to answer direct questions about testing are all reasons to slow down before ordering.
Research use only. This guide is general information, not medical, legal or laboratory-protocol advice. See the full disclaimer for the terms this site operates under.
