Feature Article : Controlling Warranty Costs With 3PQ
 By: Michael L. Hetzel, VP/Americas
Pro QC International
© ML Hetzel, All Rights Reserved
Many people engaged in quality assurance and international trade are well familiar with 3PQ (Third Party Quality Control) as a very effective risk reduction tool when deployed in a supply chain. Often, however, 3PQ is overlooked as an effective method of warranty cost control on the customer relationship side.
Although the product flow issues can be very different on the supplier side from the customer side, the fundamental issues are the same; the products must conform to the specifications before a movement can be approved and a mechanism must be employed that is impartial in evaluating that conformance. 3PQ is an ideal mechanism for this, and in the case of the tensions that often arise with a warranty claim, the 3PQ inspectors also serve the function of being dispassionate about the investigation and findings while not experiencing the internal pressures that employees of either party to the warranty claim are typically faced with.
Whether serving as a gateway at the factory before the shipment sails or conducting an audit of a population that is the subject of a warranty claim before a RMA can be issued, the 3PQ process and the skill sets of the field engineers are the same. The engineers of Pro QC are well equipped to conduct detailed audits of warranty claims and at a cost far less than only a couple of hours that the attorneys will invoice if the parties can’t agree on the condition of the products in question.
Save time and money by showing your customers that you care about their satisfaction. Have Pro QC audit your warranty claims anywhere in the world.
To learn more about using 3PQ to reduce your warranty costs contact your account manager or visit www.proqc.com.
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