NOST TECH editorial team · Updated 28 October 2026 · Procurement guide
Separate the quote into three cost groups
Two quotes can show the same wheel design and still cover different purchases. One may include caps and packing; the other may price those separately. Put the charges into the three groups below before comparing the unit prices.
| Group | Items to identify | Comparison question |
|---|---|---|
| One-time project costs | Agreed development, tooling, artwork or sample work | Does this cost recur on the next order? |
| Recurring costs per wheel | Exact specification, finish, caps, valves and agreed packing | Are both suppliers pricing the same delivered product? |
| Shipment costs | Agreed batch handling, transport and delivery responsibilities | Is the named delivery point the same? |
Assign inspection and testing charges according to the offer: per project, per batch or per item. Leave out charges that do not apply to the order.
Calculate first-order and reorder totals separately
Calculate the first order as one-time charges + quantity × recurring wheel cost + shipment costs. For the reorder, remove only the charges the supplier confirms will not recur. A new finish, drawing or sample may add costs again.
Compare the same quantity and assortment. If the lower unit price requires a larger purchase, show the additional cash and unsold stock alongside the saving.
MOQ needs a grouping rule
A minimum quantity means little without the grouping rule. In the example below, the total stays at 100 wheels while the work is split into different order lines. The supplier needs to price each proposed combination.
| Illustrative enquiry | What still needs an answer |
|---|---|
| 100 wheels, one specification and one finish | Minimum for that exact line |
| 100 wheels split equally across four finishes | Whether 25 per finish is accepted |
| 100 wheels across sizes and finishes | Which combinations may be grouped, and on what terms |
These are illustrative quantities. If 25 wheels per finish falls below the quoted minimum, compare a smaller finish range with the cost of holding the extra stock.
Compare the same start and finish conditions
The phrase “six weeks” is incomplete. An offer timed from drawing approval starts at a different stage from one timed from sample approval. Compare the milestones below, including what happens before the clock starts.
| Illustrative offer | Start condition | Endpoint | Unanswered timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Offer A: six weeks | Drawing approval | Goods ready for collection | Sample review, if still needed; transport |
| Offer B: six weeks | Sample approval | Goods ready for collection | Time to make and approve the sample; transport |
Both six-week offers are hypothetical. Add the missing sample work and transport before comparing arrival dates. A goods-ready date is not a delivery date.
Make changes visible before comparing prices
Keep the drawing revision beside the price. BC Forged’s ordering process includes profile drawings, and its product information explains how dimensions and brake clearance affect concavity. A different profile may change the product being priced.
Label each difference between the offers: accepted alternative or unresolved change. Once the specification changes, replace the old price comparison rather than carrying it forward.
Get the final offer onto one order record
The International Trade Administration’s pro forma guidance lists goods, quantities, prices, payment terms, delivery point, estimated shipping date and quote validity. Keep those fields together in the final offer.
Send the RFQ worksheet when requesting the comparison. Use the supplier’s current written offer for actual prices, minimums and production periods.
Explore wheel options
Choose a reference model from the wheel catalogue before asking suppliers to price the same specification and packing.
See project examples and wheel collections on the NOST TECH homepage.
Sources used in this article
- BC Forged NA — ordering
- BC Forged NA — product information
- International Trade Administration — pro forma invoice
Checked 28 October 2026. Published manufacturer figures refer to the identified product, not to NOST TECH products.