Method
How we score
One fixed sheet for every vendor. If the sheet changes, every vendor is re-scored and the change is dated at the bottom of this page.
| Category | Points | Full marks | Zero |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lab result on what we ordered | 35 | Identity confirmed and purity at or above 99% on every vial tested | Wrong compound, or purity under 90% |
| COA quality and verifiability | 20 | Lot-specific COA from a named third-party lab, with a code that verifies, matching our result | No COA, a COA for another lot, or one that can't be verified |
| Shipping speed and packaging | 15 | Delivered within 3 days of ordering, sealed and protected | More than 10 days, or damaged vials |
| Customer service | 10 | A useful answer within one working day | No answer within five working days |
| Pricing and transparency | 10 | All fees shown before checkout; clear refund and reship terms | Undisclosed fees or no stated terms |
| Research-use compliance | 10 | Clear research-use labelling; no health or dosing claims anywhere | Products marketed for use in people |
Test orders
- Orders are placed at retail price with our own money, under a name the vendor has no reason to recognise.
- We never accept free product for testing. A vendor can ask to be tested, but the order is still anonymous and paid.
- Each order includes at least two products so one good batch can't carry the score.
- Order, shipping and delivery times are recorded, and lot numbers are photographed on arrival.
Lab testing
- Sealed vials go to an independent analytical lab. The lab is named on each report.
- Every sample gets an identity check and a purity measurement. The method is listed next to each result.
- Reports are published as issued, including the ones that go badly for a vendor we like.
- Where the lab provides a verification code, it's printed so you can check the report at the source.
Keeping scores current
- Every scorecard shows the date of its last test. A result describes the lots we tested, on that date.
- Vendors are re-tested on a rolling schedule, and sooner if readers report a change.
- A score older than twelve months is marked as out of date.
Corrections and vendor replies
- A vendor can reply to its scorecard. The reply is published in full on the same page.
- If we get something wrong we fix it, and the page says what changed and when.
- A result is never removed because a vendor asked or offered to pay.
Money
Some vendor links pay a referral fee. Pages with those links say so. A score is set before any referral arrangement, and no category on the sheet depends on whether a vendor pays one. Details are on the About page.
Scoring sheet version 0.1 · draft, not yet in use