Indian startup founders - what warning sign made you stop trusting a supplier?

One thing I’ve learned while dealing with suppliers is that a good sample doesn’t always mean reliable production.

Everything can look promising initially, quick replies, competitive pricing and confident assurances about quality. The real test begins when order volumes increase, or something goes wrong.

For me, a dependable supplier isn’t one who never makes mistakes. It communicates honestly, maintains reasonable consistency and fixes problems without needing endless follow-ups.

For founders who work with manufacturers or suppliers in India, what red flags have you encountered? Was it inconsistent quality, unexplained price changes, delayed dispatch, GST invoice issues, missed commitments or poor communication?

More importantly, what checks do you now complete before trusting a new supplier with regular orders?.