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The best way to make sure that the company or people you will be contracting your manufacturing is to really go there and see their facilities. However, this may not always be possible and you have to rely on whatever information you can get your hands on.

At this instance, you may have to ask them to provide you a verifiable set of information. This may consist of pictures of their facility, the number of people they employ, their bank references, their customers' references and their management team. You should also ask for copies of their previous contracts and shipments to their other customers.

Once they provide you with these information, it is important that you call their references to get first-hand information on how they operate. Ask them how it is like working with the company, whether they had a pleasant experience, what problems cropped up during the business relationship, how were these problems resolved, etc. This way, you can also check on their history of fulfilling contracts and whether they are able to deliver on time as contracted. Many sub-contractors fail to fulfill deliveries on schedule and this can affect your own marketing program. This one you have to make sure. Note that if you have doubts about their references (some unscrupulous business people have "shrills" to provide only good testimonials for them") it is better to ask for at least three different references.

Unfortunately, since the company you plan to hire is located in Mexico, you will not be able to get third party information from the Better Business Bureau or Dun and Bradstreet. However, you can check with Mexican trade authorities if they have a service similar to BBB.

Good luck!

About the PowerHomeBiz.com Guide: 

Nach Maravilla is the Publisher of Power Homebiz Guides. He has over thirty years experience in sales and marketing of various products, which covered as he jokingly describes, "from toothpicks to airplanes"  He also had extensive experience in International trading and he always excelled in special promotional ideas for  retail outlets. 

The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author, not of PowerHomeBiz.com. Users should not treat the Guide's response as legal, accounting, or professional advice as all answers are intended to be general in nature. Such advice can only be properly given by qualified professionals who are fully aware of a user's specific geographical areas or circumstances, such as an attorney or accountant.