Are the suppliers pricing the same part?
When two quotations differ sharply, first check the drawing revision. Then compare material grade, quantity and finishing requirements. The numbers may describe different jobs.
Put the part number and revision at the top of your comparison sheet. Send every supplier the same file set. If a technical answer changes the requirements during the enquiry, make sure the other bidders receive that clarification too.
Align these six items
Material: are the grade, supply condition and required documents identical? Customer-supplied stock and material purchased by the shop are different scopes.
Quantity and setup: which batch size does the price cover? Are programming, fixtures or first samples charged separately? Are repeat-order conditions clear?
Outside processing: are heat treatment, coating and marking included, and when is final dimensional inspection performed?
Inspection: which features, how many pieces and what reporting are included? Material certification and dimensional reporting are separate documents.
Delivery: what starts the lead time? Check technical approval, material procurement and transport time.
Commercial terms: compare freight, packaging, currency, taxes and payment conditions. Unit price alone is not total cost.
Put assumptions in writing
A supplier should identify any interpretation or departure from the drawing. A note in a quotation is not automatic customer approval: both sides need to agree, with a drawing revision where necessary.
For example, one quote may include an operation to achieve a critical fit after coating, while another is based on dimensions before coating. Negotiating the price does not resolve that technical difference.
Consider the cost of disruption
Rejected incoming parts, repeat shipments and a stopped assembly line do not appear in the initial unit price. They are not inevitable, but supply risk belongs in the assessment. Compare communication, consistency and a credible production approach as well as cost.
Before awarding the order, prepare a one-page scope summary. Ask about the blank entries. A fair comparison explains what each supplier is taking responsibility for; it is more useful than simply passing one firm's price to another.
Related guides
- Preparing a machining RFQ
- Specifying an inspection report
- First-Sample Approval: What to Check Before Production
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