5 Things To Consider For Faster, More Accurate Quoting
In this installment of Ask The Expert, we want to discuss what goes into the quoting process and more importantly, what information do we need to quote you quickly and accurately.
There are 5 pieces of information we need in order to quote more efficiently:
- Quantity
- Lead Time
- Dimensions
- Material/Strength level
- Plating
Let's review these five in more detail:
Quantity
Whether you need 1 piece or 1 million pieces, we need to know in order to determine which of our resources is the most cost-effective way to quote.
Lead Time
Knowing when you need the parts is important when we are dealing with nonstock items or specials. How quickly the parts are needed helps us to determine what source of manufacturing we can use. If parts are needed in days, we might utilize our in-house at our Engineering and Manufacturing Center or source the parts domestically. If the parts are not needed immediately (and if the quantity warrants it) we can quote offshore resources.
Dimensions
We typically receive a request for quote in three ways:
- Written description
- Customer drawing or standard
- A picture of the part
No matter how you provide your request for quote to Earnest, having all of the dimensions of the part ensures we can quote correctly. Typically these dimensions will include:
- Thread Diameter
- Thread Pitch
- Length
- Thread Length (full thread or partial thread)
- A description of the head (hex head, socket head, carriage bolt, plow bolt, etc.)
If you have a drawing, it will typically have this information included. Even if you do not have a technical drawing, a rough hand drawing is helpful in quoting. A clear photograph of the part is also helpful. If you provide a photo, make sure the lighting is good and we can clearly see the part. Take pictures at different angles so we can see the top of the head, under the head, and threading.
Material (or Grade)
If your customer just provided you a written description, make sure their description includes the material or grade. Having the grade of the part tells us what type of material (steel) should be used. If you don’t have the grade, let us know what material we should use. A technical drawing will typically have this information. If you only have a sample of the part, provide information such as:
- What is the head marking?
- What type of plating?
- Is the part magnetic?
Finish/Plating
Is a plain finish acceptable or is a coating or plating required? The type of plating needed and its thickness can affect the tolerances on the dimensions and can affect the thread fit. Including the plating requirement at the time of quoting ensures that lengthy delays are not encountered when an order is placed.
Remember that Earnest Machine is always available for technical support and recommendations. Beginning the quoting process with these 5 pieces of information helps us get on your quote back to you quicker, ensuring you get the right part in the right quantity, on time, every time.
Earnest Machine provides several downloads to help in the quoting process including:
- Sourcing Checklist: print this guide so you’ll know what to address before beginning the quoting process
- Plating Guide: print this and keep it at your desk. This guide gives you an idea of what the coating/finishes are for various platings if you have a part and are unsure of its coating
- Measurement Guide: let us do the measuring for you. Print this out, place your part on it, take a picture, and send us the photo.