Ask how the inquiry was obtained
Require a plain-language explanation of the source, collection date, available contact-permission records, and verification process. Distinguish a business that asked about funding from a business identified in a public dataset. Ask which fields are verified and how recently. Avoid relying on labels such as premium or exclusive without a written definition.
Get the commercial rules in writing
Clarify package size, delivery schedule, filters, permitted uses, exclusivity limits, and replacement procedures. Ask whether exclusivity applies to the supplier's resale only or to the underlying inquiry itself. Understand what qualifies as an invalid record and the deadline for reporting it. Confirm payment and authorization terms before ordering.
Use your own pilot evidence
Do not adopt another team's advertised results as a forecast for yours. Run a pilot that your team can service, record the actual delivery dates, and measure validity, conversations, completed applications, and funded outcomes. Include labor cost and allow enough time for the sales cycle before drawing conclusions.
Scale based on repeatable performance
Review results with the supplier using examples of duplicates or unusable records rather than broad complaints. Increase volume in steps only when delivery quality and staff capacity remain stable. Maintain a suppression process and periodically review the source definitions, data-handling controls, and written terms.
