You can start a new quote request from a few different places in the platform:
From your Dashboard, click Request quotes in the Quick Links list on the right.
In the Quoting view, click the Request Quote button.
In the Items view, click on an Item. Next, click Actions in the top right, then click Request quotes.
When you're producing an item for the first time, your quote request will be tagged In development. You'll provide Packaging Type and a Packaging Overview. Write out as much context and details that you can provide about the project including what product(s) the packaging is for, size considerations, materials details, and design information.
The more information you can provide, the more helpful suppliers can be. Suppliers will offer various packaging solutions to best fit your needs and budget.
To request a quote, you'll need to create an item. If you haven't created one, here’s how.
To quote multiple items in one request, simply add them from the list in the Items dropdown. A multi-item request is useful for quoting items that will be produced together. For example: products that come in multiple sizes, flavors, colors, etc. You can also use multi-item quotes for projects that contains multiple sub-components like inner boxes and inserts.
Tip for multi-item quoting: Suppliers will see a multi-item quote request if all the items included match their capabilities. As you add items you'll see how many suppliers can offer all of the items in one quote. Multi-SKU quotes are ideal for quoting items that will be produced together, for products that come in multiple sizes, flavors, colors, etc.
Quantities: Most brands order on a quarterly cadence.
Delivery: If you haven't yet, create a location.
Target delivery date: Reference the Lead Times of each product.
Suppliers: By choosing "All applicable suppliers," your quote request is visible in the marketplace to any supplier that can manufacture it.
Direct requests: Direct requests are a way to show your interest in a specific supplier that you want to receive a quote from. If you choose to send your request to all applicable suppliers, the options in the direct request list will already receive an email notifying them that your quote request is available in the marketplace. By sending them a direct request, your request will also go directly to their request inbox.
Deadline for bids: The quote request will not be visible to suppliers after this deadline, but you can edit the deadline at any time to extend it.
Tip: We suggest leaving your quote request available for at least two weeks to get the most bids.
Using advanced filters
When your quote request is complete, you can click the Send request button in the top right.
You can keep tabs on all of your quotes (active and closed) in your Quotes view. Click on a quote's Request # to see more details and view the quotes you've received. Quotes requests are marked “closed” after your deadline has passed.
In the Quotes view, you'll see requests that are in development tagged In development. Suppliers can respond to your development request with spec suggestions.
From there, you'll be able to save your specs as a new item before ordering.
If you need to edit or cancel a quote request, you can do so by choosing a quote request then go to the Request details tab and choose Edit or Cancel.
Note that not all fields are editable. If you need to make significant changes to your request, consider cancelling and resubmitting your quote request. This will ensure that all suppliers have the most up to date information about your needs.