Sourcing and quotes
Two Jewelry Cabinet Quotes, One Warehouse: Compare the Cost per Unit
When two cabinet quotes are close, ask each factory to pack one unit the way it plans to ship your order. Get the sealed carton measurements and gross weight, then put both sets of figures in front of the same freight forwarder. A small saving on the cabinet can disappear by the time the goods reach your warehouse.
Ask for the measurements off the sealed carton
When a quote shows three dimensions, ask what was measured. Get the cabinet dimensions, the outside dimensions of the sealed unit carton, the gross weight and the number of units per carton as separate entries. If the cabinet and base ship separately, ask for the size and weight of each carton and how many cartons make up a complete unit. Request photos of the carton label, tape measure and scale reading tied to the model and pack version.
- W805, wall or door mounted. Ask whether the quote includes both sets of mounting hardware and where each set goes in the box.
- W822, freestanding. Ask whether the stand ships flat or assembled and how it is packed with the cabinet.
- W807, rotating. Check how the base fits into the pack. If it has a carton of its own, include both cartons in the freight quote.
Keep the packed unit measurements handy if you sell through Amazon. A seller reported that a fulfillment center remeasurement changed the dimensions and weight on record and raised the fulfillment fee. For a fee estimate, use the measurements for the packaged selling unit and check the rules for your marketplace. Keep those figures separate from the cabinet measurements and the shipping case measurements. Seller discussion on remeasurement · Amazon guidance on measuring a packed unit
Price both orders to the same receiving point
Use the same configuration, quantity and currency. Give the forwarder the same receiving address and say whether your comparison ends at delivery or includes unloading and warehouse receiving. Read the trade term together with its named place and check who pays for each leg. Mark each line as included, separately payable or still awaiting a quote. ICC guidance on named delivery points
| Line item | What to get in writing |
|---|---|
| Cabinet price | Price per complete unit at the quoted quantity, currency, and the fittings and packaging included |
| Carton details | Sealed outside dimensions, gross weight and units per carton, with a separate entry for each carton if the unit ships in parts |
| Factory quote | Trade term and named place, plus any pickup or export charges already included |
| Freight to warehouse | Itemized freight, applicable surcharges and final delivery, quoted on the same basis for both suppliers |
| Import and receiving | Applicable duties, taxes, clearance and receiving charges, with the payer identified |
| Cost per unit at the warehouse | Total cost to the agreed receiving point divided by the number of complete cabinet sets |
If the shipment mixes models, ask the forwarder what drives the shared charges. Allocate those costs using the relevant weight, volume or other quoted basis. Dividing freight evenly across every cabinet can understate the cost of the models that take up more space. Keep post-receipt costs, such as storage, customer fulfillment and returns handling, on a separate line in your margin calculation.
The decision comes down to the difference per unit. Does the lower cabinet price cover the extra freight and receiving costs? If a carton has yet to be measured, leave its freight line open and ask for the packed sample measurements before settling on a supplier.