Managing Customer Audit Dates: Seeking Advice on Rescheduling for Convenience

In our company, we undergo random facility audits by our customers approximately once a year. Occasionally, the dates they propose coincide with our busiest times. Is it acceptable to refuse their suggested date and propose a more convenient one for us?

Absolutely you can and should under that circumstance.

Yes.  You have the right to say when a date doesn't work.  Maybe provide them with blackout periods.

Yes, just have a list of dates that work for you ready. A reasonable customer will understand, and if there are any dates you cannot do request them as blackout dates.

Many of the customer agreements we receive will state we will allow them to come audit us, or send in a 3rd party auditor.

We have taken to adding the statement that they can audit us at a mutually agreed upon time/date and if they want a 3rd party audit it will be at their expense. Mind you a number of our sites are GFSI/BRC certified or at least AIB inspected so we are already incurring the expense of a 3rd party audit.

Rescheduling of audit is advisable & more pragmatic approach on the issue.