When figuring cost, don't forget travel expenses. Travel costs make prices noncompetitive, Carr said. Registrars should be able to provide a list of companies they've registered, so that you can hand-select references. O'Boyle simply asked references whether they were happy with their registrar. That happiness was mainly determined by the registrar's understanding of the paper industry, as O'Boyle's company manufacturers corrugated boxes.
Some auditors have a reputation for being real nitpickers.
If you get warm fuzzies from a registrar candidate, maybe that means you've found your match. This often becomes a subjective effort, as you are able to judge the registrar on a more individual level. Although that particular registrar won't be auditing, he represents the flavor of the company. When asking questions this time, closely pay attention to how the registrar answers and thinks through the ISO 9000 standard using his interpretation. Your questions should be technically focused and apply to a company issue.