American mahjong OEM quotations: compare scope, not just unit price

Why the cheapest number can mislead

A tile-only quote and a complete retail-kit quote are not directly comparable. The same applies when one includes a storage bag and another uses basic wrap. Player discussions about price show how often visual appeal and practical quality are mixed together in purchasing decisions. For wholesale sourcing, replace that ambiguity with an itemized scope before asking whether one offer is better value.

Sources: Reddit — Tile Prices?

Define the product line items

Specify the tile material, full dimensions, face-and-quantity inventory and artwork status. Then list mats, racks, bags and boxes individually where included. State the quantity unit and color allocation. A shared spreadsheet should make exclusions visible, not hide them in a note at the end. The purpose is to let two suppliers respond to the same request.

Separate development from recurring supply

Ask which costs relate to sample preparation, artwork changes, tooling or another project-specific activity, and which relate to the bulk product itself. Do not assume every item applies to every project. Sample fees, revision allowances and any eligibility to credit fees against a later order are confirmed by inquiry. Record the answer instead of writing “free sample” into the purchasing plan.

Compare packaging on the same basis

Our tile base packaging is cellophane wrapping. A custom bag, fitted box or branded packaging arrangement is a separate scope decision. Ask what is included at each layer and whether the packed dimensions have been measured. Otherwise a lower product quote can reappear as a higher packaging or logistics cost later. The comparison should follow the approved loaded sample.

Treat freight and payment as quoted terms

Provide the destination and ask for the transport scope, charge basis and exclusions. Sea, air and express are available, but transit is separate from manufacturing. Payment methods and deposit arrangements are also discussed by inquiry. A web guide cannot determine the final charges or terms for an unspecified shipment, so keep those cells open until written information arrives.

Record the dates that make the schedule meaningful

A sampling window is not a delivered-order promise. Ask what starts the clock, which approvals are required and how revisions affect the plan. Use the confirmed planning windows as an initial discussion point, then record the actual project schedule. If a launch date is fixed, include it early so the supplier can assess feasibility rather than treating it as an afterthought.

Choose with a documented decision

Compare specification completeness, sample acceptance, communication and commercial scope alongside price. Do not assign invented quality scores to suppliers you have not assessed. A simple status such as confirmed, open or excluded is often more useful than a numeric ranking. Resolve material differences before placing the order and retain the accepted quote with the final artwork and inventory.