Order quantity
- MOQ
- Price range or quantity tiers
Hypothetical Example / Supplier Reply Review
Supplier says “price depends on quantity”: what should a buyer ask next?
This hypothetical example shows how to read a supplier reply. It is not based on a real buyer or supplier conversation.
The review separates information provided, missing information, and follow-up questions. It does not evaluate supplier reliability, factory capability, price fairness, or payment safety.
Where the question starts
This simulated scenario shows how to organize a short supplier reply before comparing quotations or moving to the next sourcing step.
The review uses the Supplier Reply Review Methodology: identify what the supplier stated, note what remains unclear, and prepare specific questions.
Scenario
The buyer asks a supplier about product pricing but has not yet provided an expected order quantity.
Hypothetical supplier reply
“Price depends on quantity. Please tell us your order volume.”
Information provided
The reply provides a little useful commercial context.
- Expected quantity requestedThe supplier asks the buyer to provide an estimated order volume.
- Pricing may varyThe supplier indicates that unit pricing may change by quantity.
- No fixed unit priceA specific unit price has not yet been provided.
Information missing
The buyer still needs enough detail to read and compare the quotation.
Samples and setup
- Sample price and terms
- Tooling or setup costs
Production scope
- Production lead time
- Packaging assumptions
Quotation terms
- Shipping terms or Incoterm
- Quotation validity
What this does not mean
Missing information does not by itself show that a supplier is problematic. It shows what needs clarification before comparing the quotation or moving forward.
- Supplier reliabilityThe reply does not prove whether the supplier is reliable or unreliable.
- Factory capabilityThe reply does not confirm production equipment, capacity, or technical capability.
- Price fairnessThere is not enough information to decide whether a future price is fair.
- Payment safetyThe reply provides no basis for evaluating payment arrangements or safety.
Follow-up questions
Specific questions let buyers compare the same scope across suppliers.
- MOQWhat is your MOQ for this product?
- Quantity tiersCould you provide unit prices for 100, 500, and 1,000 units?
- Sample termsWhat is the sample price, and is any part refundable after a bulk order?
- Setup costsAre there any tooling, mold, setup, or customization costs?
- Included scopeWhich specifications, materials, packaging, and logo method are included in each price?
- Lead timeWhat is the estimated production lead time for each quantity?
- Commercial termsWhich currency and Incoterm does the quotation use?
Buyer reply template
A concise reply gives the supplier enough context to prepare a comparable quotation.
Our estimated first order is [quantity] units.
Please quote your MOQ and unit prices for [quantity tiers], including the specification, material, packaging, sample terms, tooling or setup costs, production lead time, currency, and Incoterm.
What to remember
“Price depends on quantity” is limited but useful information: the supplier needs an expected volume before quoting. The buyer still needs quantity tiers, MOQ, included specifications, sample terms, setup costs, lead time, currency, and Incoterm to compare quotations clearly.