// FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Procurement buyer questions answered.
How Archalign operates, how engagements are structured, what to expect.
This FAQ covers operational questions from commercial buyers considering or actively engaging Archalign. If a question is not answered here, the direct line is hello@archalign.co.uk with response within one working day.
// 01 How Procurement Works
The mechanics of engaging Archalign on a procurement file.
How does Archalign differ from a Shopify store?
The Shopify checkout exists for ad-hoc orders. The core operating model is structured commercial procurement — quotations issued against project briefs, business packs, trade accounts, and FF&E projects. Most engagements never touch the checkout.
// PROCUREMENT FLOWDo I need a Trade Account to engage?
No. Single-engagement procurement runs without an account. Trade Accounts unlock recurring procurement, commercial credit terms, dedicated procurement contact and structured tier discounts — useful when sourcing repeatedly, but not required for a one-off project.
// PROCUREMENT FLOWHow long does a quote take?
Trade Quotes: response within 1 working day. Trade Account application reviews: 3–5 working days including credit assessment. Procurement Desk project briefs: 1–5 working days for scoping proposal.
// PROCUREMENT FLOWWhat does a quote include?
Itemised line-by-line pricing across the requested supply lines, confirmed supplier-side lead times, indicative delivery schedule against your programme, customs and freight where international. No hidden margins; procurement fee disclosed where applicable.
// PROCUREMENT FLOWHow is delivery scheduled?
Phased to the buyer-side programme: fit-out start, soft open, opening day, or block-handover where multi-unit. Coordinated so heavy items arrive when contractor is ready, consumables arrive in launch week, replacement-stock cycle establishes before opening.
// PROCUREMENT FLOWWhat happens if a supplier fails?
Archalign manages the escalation. Substitute sourcing, replacement orders, cost recovery and supplier remediation are handled by the procurement desk — buyer never speaks to the failing supplier directly. The escalation protocol is documented at /pages/supplier-standards.
// PROCUREMENT FLOW// 02 Commercial & Payment
Pricing, terms, invoicing, currency.
What payment terms apply?
Default: payment due on order confirmation for single-engagement procurement. Trade Account holders: 30-day net on approved accounts; extended terms (45 / 60-day) negotiable per project for Gold / Platinum tier. Bronze tier accounts may include partial pre-payment on initial orders.
// COMMERCIALWhat currencies are accepted?
Pricing quoted in GBP at the FX rate effective on the quotation date. Payment accepted in GBP, USD, EUR via Shopify Payments and via bank transfer (ClearBank GBP, plus international wire). FX volatility above 3% between quote and order may trigger re-quote.
// COMMERCIALAre there hidden fees?
No. Itemised quotation lists every component including freight, customs (where international), procurement fee (where FF&E), and product margin per category. Trade Account discount applied transparently. Surprise charges at delivery: zero.
// COMMERCIALDo you VAT-charge?
Currently below the UK VAT statutory threshold. VAT registration in progress; invoices will switch to VAT-inclusive structure on registration. International tax handled per region at checkout.
// COMMERCIALWhat happens with returns / refunds?
Single-engagement orders: standard 14-day return on items not used / undamaged. Project deliveries: replacements and remediation handled per the project file, not under retail-return terms. Trade Account holders have specific replacement protocol in their commercial terms.
// COMMERCIALAre discounts available?
Standing margins per category (documented internally in our margin tier rules). Trade Account holders receive tier discounts (5–20% off margin by tier). Volume commitments, multi-site rollouts and multi-year commitments may trigger additional negotiation.
// COMMERCIAL// 03 Suppliers, Compliance & Documentation
Network composition, quality, regulatory.
Where do products come from?
The approved supplier network — published at /pages/suppliers. Three core suppliers active, 19 in onboarding pipeline. Each reviewed against the six published standards before integration. No marketplace sourcing.
// SUPPLIERSCan I see the supplier list before engaging?
Yes — /pages/suppliers shows the active registry. Specific supplier names and contact details remain confidential within the Archalign procurement system; introductions are not made directly.
// SUPPLIERSWhat if I require certified products (fire / electrical / food-grade)?
Compliance certification (BS 7177 / Crib 5 fire-rating, HACCP food-grade, CE / UKCA marking, electrical safety) is collected per delivery where regulatory requirements apply. Specified at intake; documentation included in the project file at handover.
// SUPPLIERSDo you support multi-site rollouts?
Yes — this is the Procurement Desk core competence. Specification consistency across sites, phased delivery aligned to site-by-site opening, consolidated reporting back to procurement / operations functions. Brief at /pages/procurement-desk.
// SUPPLIERSCan I introduce my preferred supplier?
Yes — suppliers can apply for network integration via /pages/supplier-standards. Buyer-introduced suppliers go through the same six-standards review process. Approved suppliers become available for the buyer’s file and to the broader network.
// SUPPLIERSWhat about bespoke or custom-made items?
Bespoke sourcing handled via Procurement Desk. Discovery fee applies (refundable against order if proceeds). Longer lead times. Used when standard catalogue doesn’t fit the buyer brief.
// SUPPLIERS// 04 Common Friction Points
Designer-led projects are welcomed.
Archalign procures against your designer's specification. We coordinate with the design team on sourcing, materials samples, lead times. Designer fees and procurement fees are separate engagements.
Catalogue price benchmarking is welcomed.
If a specific item is lower-priced elsewhere, share the source and we’ll either price-match (where supplier permits) or explain the difference (compliance, warranty, lead-time, replacement protocol). Transparency above margin defence.
Honest reporting on lead-time variance.
Where a quoted lead time slips, buyer is notified proactively with revised dates and substitute-sourcing options. No silent slippage. Persistent supplier-side variance triggers supplier-network probation.
The procurement layer is the product.
Direct supplier contact is not part of the engagement model. Archalign manages the supplier relationship and absorbs the operational overhead — that is the value of the procurement layer. Buyers interact only with Archalign.