Why three China supplier quotes may not be comparable
A lower number is not automatically a lower price when suppliers quote different quantities, processes or commercial terms.
Three supplier replies can look like a comparison while answering three different questions. One may quote a sample, one a production quantity, and one a similar product rather than the exact drawing.
Check the basis before checking the number
Put these fields beside every price:
- Product version or drawing revision
- Material and process
- Quantity used for the price
- MOQ and quantity breaks
- Tooling, sample and setup charges
- Incoterm and destination assumptions
- Payment terms and quote validity
If one of these fields is missing, label the price not confirmed. Do not sort the table from low to high until the basis is clear.
A practical question to send back
Please confirm the exact product version, material, process, quantity basis, MOQ, tooling or sample charges, Incoterm, payment terms and quote validity for this price.
This message is deliberately ordinary. The value is in asking the same question and retaining the answer, not in using complicated procurement language.
What a quote brief should show
A useful comparison separates confirmed answers, supplier assumptions and missing fields. It should also record when the question was sent and which source or response supports the row.
That is the format used in a Mon Sourcing quote brief. It does not decide which supplier you should use, and it does not turn an unconfirmed answer into a promise.