How to compare quotations from brass manufacturers: nine things to check

By Manoj Khande, Founder, BrassRoute · 11 October 2026

Three factories quote for the same part and the prices differ by 25 per cent. Before choosing the cheapest, check that the three are quoting for the same thing. Very often they are not.

1. Is it the same part?

Read the description line on each quotation against your drawing: grade, thread, plating and tolerance. A quote on a different brass grade, a thinner plating or "as per our standard" is a quote for a different part. Ask each supplier to confirm in writing that the price is to your drawing and revision number.

2. Per piece or per kilogram?

Brass parts are quoted both ways. A per-kilogram price needs the finished weight of one piece to compare. Ask every supplier for the price per piece and the weight per piece, and work out the rest yourself.

3. Which metal rate is the price based on?

Raw material is the largest part of the cost of a brass part, and brass prices move every day. A good quotation says how long the price is valid and may say which metal rate it assumes. A quote valid for 7 days and one valid for 30 days carry different risk for the supplier, and the price shows it. For repeat orders, some buyers and suppliers agree a formula that moves the price with the metal rate, so neither side has to guess.

4. Minimum order quantity and price breaks

Check the quantity the price applies to. A low price at 50,000 pieces does not help if you need 5,000. Ask for the price at the quantity you will really order.

5. Tooling, development and sample charges

Forged and some turned parts need dies, form tools or gauges. See whether tooling is charged separately, included in the piece price, or refunded after a certain volume, and who owns the tooling once it is paid for. A quote with no tooling line and a higher piece price can be the dearer one over a year.

6. The delivery term

Prices quoted on different delivery terms cannot be compared directly. The common ones, as defined in the ICC's Incoterms 2020 rules:

• EXW (Ex Works): you collect from the factory and pay for everything after that.
• FOB (Free On Board): the supplier delivers the goods on board the ship at the named port; sea freight and insurance are yours.
• CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight): the supplier pays freight and minimum insurance to your port; unloading, duty and local delivery are yours.
• DAP (Delivered At Place): the supplier delivers to the named place; import clearance and duty are yours.

Add your own freight, insurance, duty and local costs to each quote until all of them describe the cost at your door. Within India, check whether GST and transport are included.

7. Lead time

Look for two dates: when samples will be ready, and when the full quantity will ship after sample approval. Ask what the date depends on, such as raw material in stock or plating done outside the factory. A slightly higher price with a date the supplier can hold is often the cheaper choice.

8. Payment terms

Advance with balance before dispatch, payment against documents, a letter of credit and open credit all carry a different cost and risk for each side. A supplier asked to give 60 days of credit will usually price that in. Compare quotes on the same payment terms, or put a value on the difference.

9. Samples, inspection and what happens if parts are wrong

Check what the quotation says about approval samples, the test certificates supplied, the inspection you may carry out before dispatch, and how rejected parts are handled: replacement, rework or credit. This is the part of a quotation that matters most when something goes wrong, and the part most often left blank.

Put them side by side

Make a small table with one column per supplier and one row for each point above. The differences that explain the price gap usually show up in the first few rows. Then ask questions before you negotiate: a supplier who answers clearly and quickly at this stage is telling you something about how the order will go.

On BrassRoute

Quotes sent through BrassRoute arrive in one place in your account, so you can read them together, and a supplier can attach a formal quotation that you can open and download. BrassRoute does not set prices, does not take part in the deal and does not guarantee any supplier. Check samples, documents and references yourself before you place an order.

Sources

1. Incoterms rules, International Chamber of Commerce

This article is general guidance and not legal, tax or financial advice. Agree the terms of every order in writing with your supplier.