BULK SOURCING · QUOTE REVIEW
How to Compare Custom Bag Quotes: A Buyer Checklist
Compare quotes only after confirming they describe the same bag, quantity, decoration, packing and delivery scope. A lower unit price can reflect a different specification or an excluded cost—not necessarily a better like-for-like offer.
This guide is for importers, brands and promotional-product buyers who already have supplier quotations. It complements an RFQ checklist: the RFQ helps you send comparable inputs; this guide helps you normalize supplier replies and identify gaps before a purchase decision. It is a buyer-side review tool, not a certification of any supplier.
First make sure each supplier quoted the same bag
Copy the original requirement into one comparison sheet before copying in prices. For each quote, mark a field as matches, differs or not stated. Do not silently fill in blanks. Ask the supplier to clarify what they assumed, then update the sheet with the written answer.
| Quote line | Normalize this input | Clarification to request if missing |
|---|---|---|
| Bag identity | Style, construction, reference photo or drawing | Which exact model and features are included? |
| Dimensions | Finished width, height, gusset and units | Which measurement method and tolerance are assumed? |
| Material | Material family, weight/thickness route, colour and finish | What exact material and finish will be used? |
| Quantity basis | Pieces by style, body colour, size and artwork | Is the price based on total pieces or each SKU combination? |
| Decoration | Print method, colours, size, position, side(s), or blank/no-print | Is setup, extra colour, reverse print or artwork preparation included? |
| Sample and approval | Sample type, charge, shipping and approval milestone | Which sample or proof is included, and when is it approved? |
| Packing and delivery | Individual packing, carton assumptions, destination and Incoterm | What freight, local delivery or other charges are excluded? |
| Commercial terms | Currency, price tiers, validity, payment and lead-time basis | What event starts the quoted production schedule? |
Separate unit price from one-time or optional charges
Record unit price at the exact quantity tier and SKU split shown in the quote. Keep sample fees, artwork preparation, print setup, packaging options, freight and other one-time charges on separate lines. If the quote shows only a total, ask for the components needed to evaluate it against the same scope as the other offers.
For a useful cost comparison, define what is inside each figure. FOB, CIF and DDP are not interchangeable price labels: they imply different delivery responsibilities and included costs. Compare the named delivery point and exclusions, and confirm duties or taxes with your customs broker. For a plain-language overview, see FOB vs CIF vs DDP for bag imports.
Use a clarification log instead of guessing
- Write the requirement next to each supplier’s quoted value.
- Mark every difference, blank field or assumption; do not infer a match from a product photo.
- Send the same clarification question to the relevant supplier and save the dated response.
- Recalculate the comparison only after scope changes are visible in writing.
- Compare the approved sample or proof with the final quotation and purchase-order specification.
Some differences may be valid alternatives rather than errors. For example, a supplier may propose another material or print method. Keep the original requirement and proposed alternative in separate columns so the buying team can make an intentional choice.
Copy-ready quote comparison fields
Reference / supplier: [name or quote ID]
Bag specification: [style, dimensions, material, colour]
Quantity split: [style × colour × size × artwork]
Decoration: [method, colours, size, panel, sides or blank]
Price basis: [unit tier, currency, one-time charges]
Sample/proof: [included, cost, delivery, approval stage]
Packing: [individual packing, units/carton, labels]
Delivery basis: [Incoterm, named place, included/excluded costs]
Timing and validity: [start condition, schedule, expiry]
Open questions / assumptions: [owner, date sent, written response]
Before requesting a quote, use the custom bag RFQ checklist to make your inputs consistent. For product-specific details, compare the cotton and canvas tote range with the non-woven bag range. You can also review what affects a custom tote’s unit price or send one complete specification through custom orders.