I have a business, in which I source products for my clients. Everyday I go out for quotes for various items within the same industry. On this occasion a client asked me for something I had never sourced before, but I did my job, found prospective suppliers, and waited for the quotes to arrive.
A particular supplier, agreed they could source the item, but did not quote officially, just emails of yes we can, and when asked for del costs and spec of item, we were told, leave it with us!!
After a week still no responce from this last prospective supplier, so I rang with a reviewed quote (lesser no of item as requested by my client) they said ok leave it with me, next day, get call they can get them, i ask for price, £2 - 4. I say I'm driving Ill get back to you. in the meantime my business partner recieves email stating that the co are disapointed that the order no has reduced, and therefore are now charging us for 3 hours work at a cost of £75.
I ring say noway forget it, asked for a quote thats all, and I didnt recieve it!! they say tough, we dont work for free, then inv me! I reply say have discussed this, you did not inform the co when first contacted that we would have to pay an hourly rate if quote is not turned into order, now going to court!!
Someone please tell me this is a waste of time and I dont have to pay for a quote, never received, I specifically asked for size of item or would source elsewhere (email,copied) to which i got a leave it with me reply!! And no further communication for one week until I contacted for a re quote for lesser number.
Any comments would be gratefully recieved