In my opinion, It's up to the buyer on what info. he would post reguarding the rfq. (after RFQ has been awarded) Who it went to for how much. All I ask is that the buyer post "job has been awarded" I see no reason to contact the buyer after I have made my quote. All questions should have been asked during the quoting process. The buyer owes us nothing more then RFQ is closed.

I would like to add one thing is the people/buyers who are just price shopping, Question is how do we know the difference from the real buyers and the shoppers.

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Don Cook

It would be nice if this site had payed personell fishing work for us and we only had to pay when we get the job according to the value of the job.

Question is how do we know the difference from the real buyers and the shoppers.

Don,
I do not know that it is possible to do that. Many, are just shopping, so to speak, because they have an idea and need to know if it is feasible, cost wise. Most of these are asking for pricing on one prototype, personally I do not reply to these, not because they are not worthy but simply because experience shows that one off''s are a losing proposition. It seems that one cannot charge sufficiently for the time spent from start to shipping.

I have noticed that over time, these RFQ have been increasingly complete in regards to what is needed to offer a knowledgeable quote.

All in all this site is looking pretty professional, I will agree with Metalmog that a minimum required information form is needed, to save time for everyone.

Ken





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So lets create something, maybe get a couple of guys (shops & buyers) together 3 to 4 come up with a rough draft put it out there let everyone see and listen to some input from everyone make some changes. see what happens?

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Don Cook

If you need to know the difference bteween the buyers and the shoppers. Here is my take Honesty is the best policy . If some one was to say that they are just thinking of making something and they need to get an idea of the price, say so. If I were to quote and everyone was to quote, that is still good advertising in the event that this "shopper" migt need to buy something. This is just another opportunity to be friendly and get good press.

I suggest that "RFQWork.com" sets up a "Sister Site" where "Buyers" must post the " POSTED" -VS- "AWARDED" RATIO and "WHOM THE JOB WAS AWARDED TO" ( no need to tell us what it went for, unless the buyer decides on his own to post it )

This will allow us "SUPPLIERS / SHOPS" to look and kind of see, or @ least in our own minds decide if the Buyer is simply a "PRICE SHOPPER" -OR- a "LEGITIMATE BUYER" ( one that does award his jobs to this "COMMUNITY")

Thanks

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AMW

From:Jim Gannon
Gannon Welding
Blacksburg, SC

I've engaged several websites regarding RFQ's in 35 years at the trade and the story remains the same---everyone's looking for the price--not the quality. A lot of the clients I had went "overseas" with 35 to 40 percent rejection rates that they deemed "acceptable" due to pricing!!

It's my contention that the buyer should be paying for the service--not the contractor. The lines of communication should be open at all times to ensure that everyone is on the same "page of music". All bidding should be open, results posted so that every "prospector" can figure out where he went wrong and how NOT to make the same mistake twice.

I currently run a "cash and carry" shop--I quote everything in writing first-- no baloney.

MFG.Quote is an extremely expensive way to learn how NOT to use the net for bidding. If RFQ.Work keeps on track maybe America will get back there too.

Deleted....................

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Don Cook

Big time, I agree with the guy from SC. When we are constantly bringing our price down to get that client, we shouldn't be expected to pay for such a wonderful service. Last job that I got of the net I barely had enough to pay for labor, forget about broken cutters. If I was to continue working at that rate I wouldn't be able to afford coolant, way oil and other shop necessities. This ends up being for the clients benefit, they should have to pay.

Ok I agree but here is my summary on this whole thread.
YES PLEASE make a form they can download and fill out with minimum information and a drawing needed or no drawing but that they need some one to make the drawing.

Secondly - place each RFQ as a new thread that can have a note or blinky that can be checked as "awarded" and then move the thread into a sub foldr called "archived" this way we can and they can reference that good information.

Thirdly - this is a QUOTE process guys it is up to the person/company quoting to make sure all overhead is added into the quote and that they dont go lower in their quote than what is needed to run the shop.

Fouth - The rating system is a must but it must be attached to an address that matches the quote destination or people will simply make a new account each time and the star ratings will not matter.

Fifth - Do not make this a pay site for either parties that is what will make it so huge like cnczone.com and charge the advertisers instead.

Lastly - I will shaddup here and wait for more on this thread or ideas?

James Lee