Quote question

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Jeeves

301 posts

Ultimate Geek

#202023 14-Sep-2016 09:58

So I have a supplier at my work that sent me a quote for some goods - I was happy with the quote so raised a PO in our accounting system and requested the goods.

After they processed the order - they replied saying "Thanks for the order - by the way there will be a shipping charge of $xxx".

I look back at the quote they gave me, and no shipping charge is on the quote - but there is a line of text that says "Our quotes don't include shipping charges".

Now I know that when a company quotes for something - they can't move on that quote later down the track - but can they exclude items (and their legal obligation to honour the quote) just by saying they're not included in the quote?

They didn't inform me of the shipping charge until after I placed the order - so in theory they could have made the shipping charge any old number.

This is a B2B transaction so the CGA doesn't apply... not sure if relevant or not.

BTR

1527 posts

Uber Geek

#1629143 14-Sep-2016 10:28

Thats seems to be normal practise of not including a shipping cost until you place an order. I see this often but for me its not an issue.

Rickles

2937 posts

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#1629147 14-Sep-2016 10:31

>I look back at the quote they gave me, and no shipping charge is on the quote - but there is a line of text that says "Our quotes don't include shipping charges".<

There you go then ... clearly stated. They quoted for the GOODS, which presumably could also have been picked up from the supplier at your own expense and effort. The supplier may not know how many items would be finally ordered, what packaging would be required, or what distance/type of delivery requirements subsequently needed.

Some people actually do submit requests for quotation/s to include delivery, transportation etc, and in that case it would be a firm contract.

>Now I know that when a company quotes for something - they can't move on that quote later down the track<

That certainly holds true for the supply of services such as an electrician or plumber etc where the quote has been asked for and provided in respect of the entire work/services being sought.

Jeeves

301 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1629149 14-Sep-2016 10:40

Fair enough then. It's the first time I've come across such a situation - all other vendors i have dealt with have included shipping in the quote.

Jase2985

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#1630590 15-Sep-2016 01:05

Jeeves:

Fair enough then. It's the first time I've come across such a situation - all other vendors i have dealt with have included shipping in the quote.

what happens if you didnt want shipping?

Jeeves

301 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1630772 15-Sep-2016 11:12

Then they don't charge me for it...

DaveDog

336 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1630869 15-Sep-2016 12:58

I work in purchasing and supply and it is normal practice for (well our and our suppliers too) to exclude shipping. No surprises there and it sounds like it's be clearly stated on the quote that it does exclude the shipping too.

Bung

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#1630884 15-Sep-2016 13:15

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlene_Corley

Describes a case where the US Government was picking the lowest tender and getting ridiculous shipping charges added because their system wasn't focused on total cost.

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

Jase2985

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#1631386 15-Sep-2016 22:58

Jeeves:

Then they don't charge me for it...

pretty much every company ive dealt with don't quote with shipping unless you ask for it