From: "Saved by Internet Explorer 11" Subject: 8 ways to facilitate the quoting process Date: Wed, 9 Nov 2016 08:54:08 -0800 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/related; type="text/html"; boundary="----=_NextPart_000_0000_01D23A66.D575FB80" X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.1.7601.17609 This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0000_01D23A66.D575FB80 Content-Type: text/html; charset="utf-8" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Location: http://www.globalsources.com/NEWS/SIC-8-ways-to-facilitate-the-quoting-process.HTM =EF=BB=BF
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Path: Sourcing News & = Advice=20 >> Smart=20 Sourcing >> 8=20 ways to facilitate the quoting process
By Li Zhang
The=20 quoting process frequently becomes an extended ordeal because the RFQ = lacks info=20 that otherwise would=E2=80=99ve greased the engine of smoothness. Here = are 8 ways to=20 avoid time loss, misunderstandings and help your supplier be more = efficient in=20 the quoting process.
Ways=20 to Help Kick the Quoting Process into High Gear!
1-=20 Time of Day
Send=20 the inquiry in China=E2=80=99s early morning so that the supplier will = see it at the=20 start of their work day. Many buyers send an inquiry in their own = morning and=20 they=E2=80=99re on next to opposite timezones of China. It seems like a = entire day is=20 lost. The more traction you gain with your suppliers, you=E2=80=99ll be = able to send an=20 inquiry in the evening, go to work the next morning and have it in your = inbox.=20 Talk about a fast quoting process!
2-=20 Use a Template
When=20 dealing with vendors, you want to be routine and consistent. Spontaneity = works=20 on dates and in poetry but not in China sourcing. Always send your = RFQ=E2=80=99s to your=20 vendor in the same format. Sure the details will be different but use = the same=20 layout, the same headings, the same expectations. That way, = you=E2=80=99re vendor knows=20 what you expect, there=E2=80=99s less-back-and-forth and the quoting = process is sped up.=20 That brings me to my next point=E2=80=A6
3-=20 Be Thorough
Include=20 everything you need in your RFQ. Before you hit the send button, spend = time=20 simply meditating over what you=E2=80=99re asking and think about your = RFQ. Ask yourself=20 questions; should I include this? Do I need to tell them that? What = would you=20 want to know if your client was sending you the inquiry. No points are = scored=20 for how short, cryptic and misspelled you make your RFQ.
4-=20 Include Your Quantities
You=20 may assume that if you don=E2=80=99t include the quantities, then the = supplier, being=20 the super sleuth that they are may just quote the minimum order = quantity. Or=20 they may lay out a basket of quantity scales so you can have you pick = like=20 you=E2=80=99re at the hog trough buffet. But that=E2=80=99d be a wrong = assumption. If you send=20 an inquiry without the expected order quantities, you can expect to lose = an=20 entire day with the supplier emailing you to ask you =E2=80=9Cwhat = quantity should we=20 quote?=E2=80=9D
Quantity=20 Request Information
5-=20 Have Artwork or Branding Requirements Ready
From=20 the get-go, provide as much idea as possible when it comes to branding=20 expectations. Send the artwork file as soon as possible. Detailedly = describe the=20 artwork placement and measurement. This is not an area where you want to = leave=20 it to supplier guesswork. Ask the supplier the supplier for any print = area=20 measurements you need.
6-=20 Packing
The=20 supplier won=E2=80=99t delay the quote if you don=E2=80=99t provide = packing. But if you have a=20 specialized packing request and don=E2=80=99t inform the supplier from = the beginning,=20 you=E2=80=99re going to have to go back and adjust the quote. Adjusting = the quote may=20 put you in a bind if you didn=E2=80=99t consider the change and = you=E2=80=99ve already passed=20 the price to your end customer. Even worse, if you=E2=80=99ve already = calculated any air-freight pricing, a change of packing may = completely=20 change your price scale! Talk about throwing a monkey wrench into the = quoting=20 process.
7-=20 Leave Out The Unimportant
There=E2=80=99s=20 a balance to strike in providing the necessary detail and becoming too = wordy on=20 things that will bog down the supplier=E2=80=99s understanding. Provide = the need-to-know=20 details that lead to a precise quote as well as pieces of information = that=E2=80=99ll=20 give insight into expectations throughout the order process.
8-=20 Let The Vendor Know When You Need the Quote
A=20 novel idea, right? If it=E2=80=99s an asap request, then you need to let = the vendor know=20 it=E2=80=99s urgent. But endeavor to provide the vendor with a = timeframe. For example,=20 =E2=80=9CI=E2=80=99ll need this quote by Friday morning, please confirm = if you are able to=20 provide it by then=E2=80=9D.
If=20 it=E2=80=99s not asap and you have a few days, let the vendor know so = they are able to=20 put the proper time towards the pricing and not do a rush = job.
Want=20
to learn more sourcing best practices?
Join the Global Sources Summit that combines conferences =
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networking, co-located with our Hong Kong trade shows. The event will be =
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April 17-19, 2017, and is geared toward online and Amazon=20
sellers.
Li=20 Zhang has worked in international manufacturing and exporting since = 2003. She=20 has served global brands such as Bayer, Coca Cola and Warner Bros. Her=20 background is in design and engineering. Li is a native of Jiangsu = Province and=20 currently finds herself back and forth between Suzhou, China and the = USA.=20 Contact Li at This email address is being = protected from=20 spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. = , or find her penning manufacturing thoughts at her blog.
Read more Sourcing=20 News & Advice