What to ask for in a bulk electronics quote

Good quotes start with good requests. Send every dealer the same message, so that the answers can be compared. Copy this and fill it in:

• Item: exact brand, model and variant, for example storage, RAM and colour.
• Condition: brand new, UK used, Naija used or refurbished, with any grade.
• Quantity: how many, and whether you can accept part now and part later.
• Must include: box, charger, cable and accessories.
• Deliver to: city and state, or say that you'll collect.
• Needed by: the date you need the goods.
• Please quote: price per unit, total, delivery cost, how long the price is valid, warranty, and what happens to faulty units.

• The model and variant. "iPhone 13" isn't enough without the storage, and "HP EliteBook" isn't enough without the generation.
• The condition. None of the condition names is a fixed standard, so ask what the dealer's grade means: acceptable scratches, battery health, replaced parts.
• What's in the box. A missing charger across a hundred units adds up fast.
• Genuine or compatible, especially for accessories and spare parts.
• How many are available now, and when the rest would arrive if the dealer doesn't have them all.

• Price per unit, and the total for your quantity.
• Whether a price is per piece or per carton, and how many pieces are in a carton.
• How the price changes with quantity, including what it would be if you ordered more.
• Whether packing, delivery and VAT are included or extra.
• How long the price is valid. Prices follow the dollar, so a quote without a date doesn't tell you much.

Tell dealers the price you want to pay. It helps them say straight away if it's possible, and it often moves the conversation on faster than asking for their best price.

• Pickup or delivery, and where from.
• The delivery cost, and who pays it.
• How long it'll take once the order is confirmed.
• How the goods will be packed, especially screens, TVs and laptops.
• Who's responsible if something is lost or damaged on the way.

Buying from another state? Read how to buy from Lagos if you live outside Lagos.

• Whether there's a warranty, how long it runs, and who honours it: the manufacturer, a local agent or the dealer.
• How many days you've got to check the goods and report a fault.
• What happens to a faulty unit: replacement, refund or a lower price.
• Who pays to send it back.

• How much is due and when. For larger orders, agree any deposit and balance up front.
• The account name for payment, which should match the business you're dealing with.
• A pro-forma invoice if your organisation needs one for approval.
• A final receipt or invoice with models, quantities, conditions, prices and, for phones and laptops, IMEI or serial numbers.

Buying for a company or a school? Our guide to buying laptops in bulk has more on what your accounts team will need.

1. Check that each quote is for the same model, variant, condition and contents. If one isn't, ask for it to be corrected before you compare.
2. Work out the total cost delivered to you, including anything extra.
3. Compare the things that don't show in the price: warranty, faulty-unit terms, how soon you'd get the goods.
4. Look at the quote's date and how long it's valid.
5. Consider the dealer: a real store, verified status, and how clearly they answered your questions.

• A price far below the others, without an explanation.
• No condition, no variant or no quantity written down.
• "Same thing, just pay" when you ask for details.
• A push to pay today, with no written confirmation.
• A payment account that doesn't match the business name.

See common bulk buying scams for how these signs show up in practice.

Send a product request with the item, quantity, condition, the price you want to pay per unit and your delivery area. You confirm it with a one-time code, and it costs nothing to send. Our team looks for it among verified dealers and sends your quote by email, usually within 24 to 48 hours. Each quote shows the price, the condition, the delivery details and how long it's valid, and you may get more than one option. You can accept the one you want, and our team calls you to arrange payment and delivery.