The price-basis sentence
Rebuild the price as a complete sentence
Instead of saving “$8,” write: “Quoted at 8 [currency] per unit for the black medium variant at 100 units, standard individual bag included, delivery and service costs excluded, received on [date].” The sentence exposes missing terms immediately.
- Exact product code and variant
- Currency and unit of sale
- Quantity tier and MOQ rule
- Sample or small-test difference
- Included product parts and packaging
- Excluded delivery, service, payment, tax, or other costs
- Quote date, validity, and responsible source
One list, several scenarios
Read quantity tiers horizontally
| Tier | Record beside the unit price | Decision question |
|---|---|---|
| Sample or one-off | Item, variant, sample terms, packing, and delivery basis. | What uncertainty will the sample remove? |
| Small test | Allowed mix, price tier, carton arrangement, and packed figures. | Does the test answer enough to justify its higher unit cost? |
| Standard tier | Minimum type, variant allocation, lead-time context, and total exposure. | Is the lower unit price worth the additional quantity? |
| Higher tier | Production or stock context, deposit or term source, packing, and route assumptions. | Which new risk appears when the quantity increases? |
Like for like
Do not combine unlike price rows
Comparable
Same product code, same material and included parts, same color and size basis, same quantity tier, same packaging, same currency, and quotes received within a relevant period.
Not yet comparable
Similar product photos, different or missing codes, unknown variant, one sample price, one bulk price, and no record of what either number includes.
Price is one layer
Keep the landed-cost gap visible
A product price is not a delivered total. Packing, chargeable weight, service fees, payment costs, taxes, duties, local handling, route eligibility, and delivery terms may sit elsewhere. This guide cannot calculate those facts without current information from the responsible parties.
Before ranking prices
A six-question price check
Same item?
Match the code and configuration rather than the photo alone.
Same variant?
Confirm size, color, material, included pieces, and packaging.
Same quantity basis?
Compare the tier and minimum unit.
Same currency and date?
Record conversion separately if needed and preserve the original quote.
Same exclusions?
List every cost not included.
Same decision?
Choose the scenario that answers the intended test, not automatically the lowest unit price.
Before you continue
Write the conditions beside every price
A visible number can belong to a different item, variant, quantity, packing method, currency, or date. Copy the basis with the price and mark it provisional when any part is missing. A page showing prices does not make those prices current or verify the person who posted them.
