Policies and Preferred Parts

See Standard vs. Non-Standard Parts to understand what constitutes a standard part and a non-standard (or custom part) and lead times.

Commercial Policies

Fair-Rite’s Quotation Policy

Fair-Rite has a formal system for providing price quotes for customer requests.  Two quoting systems exist : one for existing Fair-Rite part numbers and another for new part inquiries. In the case of existing part quotes: all specifications, quality and manufacturing methods have been predetermined, whether the part is standard, non-standard or customer specific. The Fair-Rite part number has these assigned requirements based on Fair-Rite’s discretion, except in the case of customer specific items, part requirements are not changed.  In order to receive a quote, customers need to provide information on our Request a Quote (RFQ) page found here. Fair-Rite reserves the right to no quote.

When customer requirements dictate a new part would need to be developed, Fair-Rite has a separate quoting system which evaluates capability to meet customer expectations. The customer needs to communicate all expectations during this initial evaluation, this includes but is not limited to special packaging, handling, sampling plans, measurement methods, acceptance criteria and conformance to environmental, quality and other standards or regulations. Communication of these special needs after the time of quotation may not be accepted by Fair-Rite and may require re-quote.  Fair-Rite may take exception to part specific or other customer requests when quoting. Requests may be a no quote based on Fair-Rite’s discretion.

Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) Policy

See Standard vs. Non-Standard Parts to understand our MOQ policy.

Non-Recurring Engineering Charge (NRE) Policy

A Non-Recurring Engineering (NRE) fee is being charged for the requested component. This fee represents costs incurred by Fair-Rite Products Corp. for new tooling, fixtures or process equipment or special engineering development work necessary to produce the new item. This NRE dictates that a part will only be used for your company’s orders, but any tools, fixtures, or equipment developed physically remain Fair-Rite’s which Fair-Rite will continue to maintain, refurbish, and replace if necessary. Evaluation samples are included in the NRE fee for customer approval of the design prior to release to production. The part’s exclusivity will expire if you have not ordered the part for 5 years.

Fair-Rite’s Policy as concerns Quality Complaints

Fair-Rite has had a formal Quality System in place since 1997. Initially it was QS9000, currently it is ISO/TS16949 and  we are in in the process of certifying to ISO9001:2015 and IATF16949:2016.

Quality complaints for product purchased and shipped direct from Fair-Rite should be communicated to Fair-Rite’s Sales Department. Complaints relating to product purchased from distributors need to be addressed with the distributor.  All standard and non-standard parts have established component drawings which define acceptance criteria defined by Fair-Rite. Fair-Rite has established Visual Inspection Criteria for general product types. Fair-Rite cannot accept complaints or perceived non conformances outside these established component drawing specifications or visual inspection criteria.

At Fair-Rite’s discretion, Buyer may be permitted to return(at its own cost and expense) any “standard” or “catalog” product which Seller stocks within one (1) year from the date of shipment if: (i) it is in new condition, suitable for resale in its undamaged original packaging and with all its original parts and original markings, (e.g., Lot numbers, serial numbers) and (ii) it has not been used, installed, modified, rebuilt, reconditioned, repaired, altered or damaged and (iii) meets all Local, State and Federal laws governing the type of products that can be sold or put into transit in the State in which the product is being returned and (iv) Buyer pays a 25% restocking fee. Buyer’s surplus job returns, and those not meeting (i), (ii) and (iii) above, will be evaluated on an individual basis after Buyer has contacted Seller’s authorized representative for prior written permission. Except for items Seller stocks which meet (i), (ii) and (iii), above, credit memoranda issued for authorized returns shall be subject to the following deductions: (a) cost of putting items in salable condition; (b) transportation charges, if not prepaid; and (c) handling and restocking charges. Products that are “non-standard” or “non-catalog” are not cancellable and not returnable.

Return Policy for Non-Conforming Product

Fair-Rite Products Corp. must be notified of nonconforming material within 30 days of receipt of product. Based on information received, Fair-Rite will then determine if representative, nonconforming samples are required. Invoice number and/or packing ticket number must be noted for the specific quantity of material in question. Notification beyond 30 days of receipt may result in denied credit.

Representative, nonconforming material will be evaluated (or some other form of review will be made) and once Fair-Rite has determined that material does not meet specification, authorization will be given to return parts or to disposition in some other manner. Fair-Rite limits our exposure only to the selling price of the product with no liability for the use and/or impact of our product within the customer’s application.

Fair-Rite’s Quality Dept. will determine if an RA number is to be issued indicating the return authorization of the specific quantity of material. The Customer will be informed of the specific RA number and shipping method to be used for the return once Fair-Rite’s Quality Dept. has identified the issue as approved for return.

The RA number MUST be indicated on the outside of the package of returned material. When practical, material is to be returned in original Fair-Rite packaging. If original Fair-Rite packaging is not available, the material needs to be packaged such that the material is adequately protected so as to not become damaged in transit.

A Credit Note will be issued once the specific quantity has been confirmed by Fair-Rite’s Receiving Dept. and will be noted on next statement cycle by Fair-Rite’s Accounting Dept.

For More Information Contact Us

Fair-Rite Products Corp. is committed to be “Your Signal Solution.” Management and employees continue to apply our certified ISO/TS 16949:2009 quality management system providing continual improvement towards defect prevention, variation reduction and customer satisfaction. We are committed to offering high quality products and services while maintaining an environmentally friendly and sustainable manufacturing process. As a responsible member of the corporate and local community, Fair-Rite continues to stay proactive in compliance with local, national and international environmental regulations regarding manufacturing, emissions and documentation.

Our Position on Quality and the Environment

Modern value enhancement tools, including Controls Plans, Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and Feasibility Assessments, are available for the quality planning process. Contract review, design control, and procurement all function within the quality management system. Process and product control, including measurement, traceability, handling and delivery, meet the highest quality standards. Any nonconforming or suspect product is tracked. Corrective and preventive actions, statistical methods, and internal audits are applied to guarantee continual improvement. Extensive training is provided to all employees to support the system. Product inspection, tests and records verify that specified requirements are met. Critical characteristics are monitored by statistical methods, including pre-control, control charts, and Statistical Process Control (SPC). Process capability indices, Cpks, are targeted to exceed 1.33. When sampling plans are employed, Zero Based Acceptance (C=0) criteria is used. Visual inspection criteria for chips, cracks and surface finish are documented. IEC Standard 60424 is used as a guide for evaluation of visual imperfections.

Fair-Rite and Our Continual Improvement Process

Supplier Corrective / Preventive Action Policy

Fair-Rite Products Corp. strives to eliminate nonconformances. Nonconformance can be defined as not meeting quality expectations; this can include late delivery and nonconforming material, among others.

Fair-Rite’s Incoming Inspection uses Zero Based Acceptance (C=0) criteria to assist in identifying quality material. If nonconforming material is found to be shipped and not formally accepted by way of a deviation notice, it will be moved to an Material Review Board (MRB) quarantine location, at which time the appropriate Quality, Process and/or Manufacturing Engineer will evaluate and disposition the material. Fair-Rite’s Quality Dept. may issue a Supplier Corrective Action which can affect the supplier’s quality rating.

Effective corrective action addresses the root cause of the condition so that it will not occur again. Fair-Rite expects a containment response within 2 days (8D CAR completed up through D-3(Containment Actions)) and most corrective and preventive actions to be complete within 14 days (8D CAR completed through D-8). Fair-Rite understands that some issues involve a more in-depth investigation and corrective action resolution, which may take longer than 14 days. In that event, Fair-Rite expects to be notified of such an approach with an expected date of completion previous to the 14 day expiration date.

Suppliers must send documented supplier corrective action to Fair-Rite’s Quality group for review, acceptance and recording. Fair-Rite’s Quality group may take exception to the proposed action if deemed inappropriate or ineffective, and request further investigation and action by the supplier. Failure to provide and implement effective corrective action is potential cause for the supplier’s removal from Fair-Rite Products Corp.’s Approved Supplier List (ASL).

Corrective Action Request

The employees of Fair-Rite are committed to provide high-value solutions to our customers.  If you have a suggestion for improvement or a problem with our products, we want to know. We will do everything possible to rectify the situation.  Corrective action is an effective instrument for our improvement.

If you have a suggestion or a problem, please complete and submit this form.  Alternatively, you can e-mail, phone or FAX. A Quality Assurance representative will respond within 3 days, or sooner if you request.  Thanks in advance for your participation.