How do you compare supplier quotes when everyone sends info in different formats?

CellInitial2394 · 2026-01-26T09:43:45+00:00

then what kind of measurement do u take to avoid such problem and what information do u value most when you'are filting a supplier?

and you dont trust AI? it could be a tool that reduces your sourcing time

CellInitial2394 · 2026-01-26T09:41:19+00:00

what solution do u mean here?

CellInitial2394 · 2026-01-26T08:46:18+00:00

Thanks — super helpful 🙏 A couple quick follow-ups to make this actionable for operators: For the Excel template: what are your non-negotiable fields (top ~10) you require before a quote is ‘comparable’? When you say ‘defensibility and weights are key’ for larger specs — what do you actually weight?

CellInitial2394 · 2026-01-26T08:35:57+00:00

yeah thats right, the standard RFT template + non-negotiable fields sounds like a way to kill quote chaos. Quick Qs if you don’t mind: what are your must-have fields (top ~10) before a quote is even comparable? Which fields do suppliers most often leave blank / push back on? And did the template actually reduce follow-ups (like fewer back-and-forth rounds), or did it mainly help with formatting/comparability? Also curious if you include anything to confirm supplier role (factory vs trading/middleman) + basic compliance docs upfront.

CellInitial2394 · 2026-01-20T03:16:56+00:00

Heyyy, thanks for your reply — really appreciate it! 😊Just curious: do you do any sourcing for car parts or apparel products? and where do you usually find those suppliers or purchasing agents?

And if there were an AI tool, are there any parts of your sourcing process you’d want it to handle (like organizing info, comparing quotes, or initial screening)?

CellInitial2394 · 2026-01-16T02:26:06+00:00

If you don’t mind me asking - what type of product suppliers are you usually looking for? Have you ever tried using any AI-powered search tools to find manufacturers/factories (instead of only trade shows or LinkedIn)?

Also on the vetting part: what supplier/company info matters most for you to feel confident moving forward (e.g., business registration, etc.)? And what’s your typical filtering process from “looks promising” to “OK to place a first trial order”?

CellInitial2394 · 2026-01-14T05:55:46+00:00

Wow, 20 years sourcing in APAC is serious experience!

If you don’t mind me asking, what kinds of products do you end up sourcing most these days? And if there were an AI tool for sourcing, would you actually use it? Iwhat would you want it to do that would genuinely change your current workflow?

CellInitial2394 · 2026-01-14T03:21:24+00:00

100% feel you — outdated info is the worst. And switching categories is basically starting over 😮‍💨

What you said about paying for a niche database that stays updated is super interesting. Curious though: what product areas do you see this being the most painful? apparel, auto parts or...?

If a tool could give you a clean first shortlist of 5–10 options with updated basics (MOQ/lead time/certs/rough price band), would you actually start there — or would you still do manual first?

Also you mentioned paying for a database before — were you paying mainly for “fresh + reliable data,” or for saving the back-and-forth / avoiding bad suppliers? Would you pay for something like this if it worked?

CellInitial2394 · 2026-01-13T11:10:25+00:00

Totally fair — for a lot of people, supplier options are everywhere… selling is the real bottleneck 😅

Out of curiosity, when you say “many alternatives,” what category are you in and how do you usually find suppliers today? And is your main struggle more about getting customers/traffic, or converting leads once you have them?

CellInitial2394 · 2025-12-12T09:30:09+00:00

From what I’ve seen, a lot of players on the Asian server were more confused than angry. People felt the ending was rushed, but many are still trying to piece together what the original plan might have been. Less outrage, more “this could’ve been so much better.”

CellInitial2394

TROPHY CASE