Defective hardware is a common issue found on imported accessories.
Corrosion is one of the most common problems that importers run into, particularly on D rings, grommets, and buckles.
Sourcing and shipping products internationally from overseas factories to U.S. markets can present some inherent risks. Hardware can corrode due to chemical reactions between metals and the environment. Corrosion occurs when water molecules or moisture is mixed with higher temperatures and/or other chemicals like salts (ocean air) and acids that break down the metals’ oxidative layer, thus causing hardware to become pitted or even develop rust. Ocean transport conditions can fluctuate wildly during the trip from overseas factories to U.S. ports which can make handbags, luggage, and other similar accessory hardware susceptible to corrosion.
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In other cases, a supplier may have provided a poor-quality hardware component to a factory and the issue may not have been caught in time to correct while the product was being produced in an overseas location. Hardware quality issues might include finish issues, rough surfaces, or just faulty snaps or closures for example. Typical hardware replacement and repair projects are often encountered by QCI included:
The QCI team has the experience and equipment needed to perform your necessary hardware replacement projects. Production equipment includes a variety of punches, presses, hole punch tools, and other specialized equipment to perform most reworks necessary. Our product team works in concert with our customers by working with you in helping to find domestic hardware suppliers or working with your sourcing team to obtain new hardware components from the factory to rework your accessories to first-quality condition.
