Compare 1688 offers by the total cost of the same product delivered to the same point. Match the variant, quantity and packaging first; then add the charges that the displayed unit price leaves out.
In the worked comparison below, the CNY 8.00 item costs more overall than the CNY 8.60 item. The difference comes from packaging and delivery.
Write one specification before collecting prices
Example. Request 200 plain cotton tote bags, 38 × 42 cm, 180 g/m² fabric, one natural color, no printing and individual paper bands. Send that specification unchanged to each supplier. Fabric weight describes the material; obtain separate packed measurements for shipping.
| Field | Record this | What can make offers different? |
|---|---|---|
| Product variant | SKU or variant name, reference image and included components | A spare part, smaller size or incomplete set |
| Material and construction | Composition, dimensions, tolerances and relevant performance requirements | A similar-looking item with different fabric, finish or thickness |
| Order quantity | Total pieces, pieces per color and quantities at each price tier | A volume price that does not apply to your trial order |
| Branding and packaging | Logo method, labels, retail packaging and outer cartons | An unbranded item compared with a packed retail product |
| Delivery scope | Named receiving address, included transport and excluded charges | Delivery to a warehouse in China compared with delivery overseas |
| Quote conditions | Currency, validity date, stock status and dispatch lead time | An expired offer or an unavailable stock item |
For a different category, check the unit of sale especially carefully. A lamp listing may offer a shade, base or complete lamp as separate variants. A furniture listing may separate a chair from a chair-and-table set. Record included components beside the selected SKU.
Read the selected variant and quantity tier
Open the detail page, select the required variant and enter the actual order quantity. Save the displayed price, unit of sale and date alongside the supplier’s written quote. Check whether “one” means one piece, pair, set or carton.
If a price changes after selection, compare variant, quantity tier and included parts before requesting a correction. Mark an empty packaging or delivery field as “to quote” so it stays visible in the calculation.
The cheaper unit price becomes the higher total
| Cost | Supplier A | Supplier B |
|---|---|---|
| Confirmed unit price | 8.00 | 8.60 |
| Products × 200 | 1,600 | 1,720 |
| Agreed paper-band packaging | 180 | Included |
| Delivery to the China warehouse | 120 | 100 |
| Total to this boundary | 1,900 | 1,820 |
| Cost per ordered piece at this boundary | 9.50 | 9.10 |
Supplier A: 200 × 8.00 + 180 packaging + 120 delivery = CNY 1,900, or CNY 9.50 per ordered piece. Supplier B: 200 × 8.60 + 100 delivery = CNY 1,820, or CNY 9.10 per piece, with the agreed packaging included.
B is CNY 80 lower to the warehouse. Confirm the same paper bands, sample quality and delivery commitment before selecting B. Request A’s packaging and delivery as named line items so a revised quote can be compared directly.
CNY 80 across 200 pieces is CNY 0.40 per unit. Before using that margin to choose a supplier, confirm the same paper bands and delivery scope on both quotes, then review the sample results. If switching from an established supplier, also price any new sample or receiving work needed for the alternative. Use the actual unresolved costs against the CNY 80 margin; a fixed percentage cutoff would hide differences between orders.
This comparison ends at the China warehouse. Add samples, inspection, warehouse services, payment fees, international freight, destination duties and taxes, and final delivery as applicable to build the full buying budget. Keep bundled charges identified to avoid counting them twice.
Price the onward journey with packed measurements
Request carton count, units per carton, external dimensions and gross weight for each carton type. Use the packing calculation to check those totals before seeking freight offers.
Give the forwarder the destination and required service. Record the named handover point, included handling, excluded charges and quote validity. Keep provisional transport estimates marked until final packing is confirmed.
When comparing currencies, retain the original totals and record the exchange rate and date used. Add payment-provider and conversion charges separately. For cross-platform offers, align the delivery scope using the 1688 versus Alibaba comparison.
Send a follow-up that closes the price gap
Please confirm 200 pieces of specification A with individual paper bands. List goods, packaging and delivery to [warehouse address] separately in CNY. Confirm the selected variant, stock or production schedule, quotation validity, carton count, dimensions and gross weight. Please list any proposed substitution as a separate option.
Retain the offer ID, company name and specification version with every revision. If a lower unit price requires excess inventory, compare the total cash commitment. Check the company behind the offer before proceeding to a sample.
Update the comparison when a quote or sample changes
Keep the original quote as version A-01 or B-01. Add a new row or version when the supplier changes price, material, packaging or timing, and record the reason. Send a changed buyer specification to both candidates before ranking the updated offers.
In the table above, ask A to confirm that CNY 180 covers all 200 paper bands and CNY 120 reaches the named warehouse. Ask B to identify the included band specification. If B’s sample has a plain band but the accepted brief requires printing, request the charge to meet the brief.
Follow-up example. If B adds CNY 120 for that required printing, its revised total becomes CNY 1,940, or CNY 9.70 per piece. A remains CNY 1,900 only if its CNY 180 packaging line already includes the same printing. With that confirmation, A is CNY 40 lower. B could absorb up to CNY 80 in additional unmatched costs before reaching A’s original total.
If both suppliers omitted the printing, obtain both corrections. Record an unknown charge as pending; record zero only when the supplier confirms inclusion. Use the same rule for carton changes, warehouse labeling and receiving fees.
When the cheaper sample misses a requirement
A failed size or material check changes the product decision. Ask for a corrected sample and a revised quote for the original specification. Keep that supplier’s price out of the final ranking until it describes an acceptable version. If you choose to relax the specification, give the other supplier a chance to quote that new version too.
Before ordering, collect the accepted quote, sample ID, specification, named delivery point, dispatch milestone and approval record together. This gives the receiving team the same product and packing requirements that were used to choose the supplier.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the selected price higher than the search result?
Check the selected SKU, quantity tier, unit of sale and included components. Ask the supplier to explain the specific difference using those fields. Save the confirmed configuration as the basis for comparison.
Should I choose the lowest completed quote?
Choose among suppliers that meet the specification, sample criteria and schedule. Then compare total cost at the same delivery point. Use a written sample review to record product differences that affect the decision.
Method. The worksheet demonstrates cost comparison using constructed CNY amounts. Examples and diagrams are constructed teaching material, rather than supplier quotations or completed purchases. Reviewed September 15, 2026.
