How to spot red flags in a Magnetic machine supplier's claims?

Ask the supplier to define exactly what the stated power represents: electrical input, rated output, peak output, or energy delivered at the applicator. These are not interchangeable. Request the test method, measuring instrument, operating mode, load condition, tolerance, and report date. For electromagnetic equipment, field strength may be expressed in tesla or gauss, while electrical power is commonly expressed in watts; a watt figure alone does not establish treatment intensity. Compare the declared value with a sample unit or an independent measurement where the purchase value justifies it. A video, brochure, or unreferenced laboratory statement is supporting material, not sufficient technical proof.

A useful report identifies the exact model, serial or sample reference, test configuration, operating conditions, instruments, calibration status, measured results, and acceptance criteria. Performance testing should relate to the supplier’s actual claim, such as output stability, field strength, operating temperature, duty cycle, or control accuracy. Electrical safety and electromagnetic compatibility reports address different risks and should not be presented as proof of treatment performance. Ask whether the report was issued for the production model or an engineering sample, and whether accessories or applicators match the delivered configuration. If a report is incomplete, unverifiable, or tied to another model, treat the claim as unconfirmed.

Some quotations emphasize commercial configuration while omitting parameters that require controlled measurement or depend on the applicator, distance, waveform, frequency, duty cycle, and operating load. That omission does not automatically prove deception, but it creates a verification gap. Request a technical data sheet showing the measurement location, unit, tolerance, selectable programs, and relationship between displayed and measured values. Also ask whether the output changes across channels or accessories. A supplier that cannot explain its measurement convention may be using impressive but non-comparable figures. Buyers should avoid comparing two quotations until both suppliers define the same parameter under comparable conditions.

CE marking is a manufacturer’s declaration that the product meets applicable European Union requirements; it is not, by itself, a universal performance endorsement or a guarantee that every model in a product family is covered. Request the EU declaration of conformity, model reference, applicable directives or regulations, harmonised standards used, and the responsible manufacturer details. Where a notified body is involved, verify its identification and the scope of its certificate through reliable official sources. Check that the nameplate, manual, electrical configuration, accessories, and product version match the documents. SGS material should also be checked for its document type and precise scope, because inspection, testing, and certification are different activities.

Videos can show usability, noise, interface behavior, and basic handling, but they rarely establish output or treatment effectiveness. Camera angle, lighting, editing, subject selection, temporary muscle contraction, posture changes, and undisclosed protocols can make results appear stronger than they are. Ask for an unedited demonstration showing the complete session, settings, applicator placement, and operating time, then compare those details with the written manual. Do not treat visible movement or a before-and-after image as clinical evidence. For marketing claims involving pain reduction, body contouring, rehabilitation, or other health outcomes, request appropriately designed evidence and confirm whether the intended use is legally permitted in the target market.

Risk often appears in vague warranty triggers, unclear exclusions, and an absence of response or spare-parts commitments. The contract should identify the warranty period, start date, covered components, acceptable proof of failure, shipping responsibility, repair or replacement process, response target, and treatment of consumable or user-damaged parts. Confirm whether technical support is remote, on-site, or distributor-led, and ask how software, control boards, applicators, and power supplies are handled after production changes. A low unit price can become expensive if replacement parts, training, packaging damage, or cross-border freight are excluded. Request these terms in the quotation or sales agreement rather than relying on verbal assurances.