Compare vendor quotes and write the purchase request
Minda puts every vendor quote on the same footing, builds a comparison table and recommends one, without placing any order. It is a ready-made task for the SI agent in Minda Super Intelligence. It runs when you start it. It works with Gmail and Google Sheets.
In Minda: Tasks → New → Browse tasks → Compare vendor quotes and write the purchase request. Minda Super Intelligence for Windows is coming soon.
- Finance
- Files on this computer
Gmail- Google Sheets
- Read each quote in [quote files, emails or…
- Where a quote is missing a number, ask the…
- Build a comparison table with a source line per…
- Finish with the recommendation, the runner-up,…
What you get
Same footing for every quote It lines up unit price, quantity breaks, shipping, duties, tax, delivery date, payment terms and warranty for each vendor.
Landed cost per unit It works out the landed cost per unit and the total cost over the period or quantity you name.
Gaps are asked, not guessed Where a quote is missing a number, it drafts a question to the vendor in Gmail instead of guessing.
A request you can hand on You get a recommendation, a runner-up and a purchase request for whoever approves it.
Why use this?
Quotes rarely list the same things, so Minda reads each one and puts the vendors on equal terms before it compares them. It never changes a quoted number, and it does not place an order, issue a purchase order or accept a quote.
What it does
- When
- When you start it
- Works with
- Files on this computer, Gmail, Google Sheets
- For
- Operations, Founders
- You fill in
- [what we are buying and the quantity], [quote files, emails or links], [the spec], [the period or quantity]
How it works
- WhenWhen you start itSave it as a workflow to run it daily at 9am instead
- Step 1Reads every vendor quote
- Step 2Works out the landed cost per unit
- Step 3Flags quotes older than 30 days
- Step 4Drafts a question to the vendor
- Step 5Builds a comparison table
- Step 6Recommends one and a runner-up
- ResultA table, a pick and a purchase request
Read each quote in [quote files, emails or links] and put every vendor on the same footing: unit price, quantity breaks, shipping, duties, tax and the landed cost per unit, delivery date, payment terms, warranty, and what each quote leaves out of [the spec]
Where a quote is missing a number, ask the vendor in a Gmail draft rather than guessing
Build a comparison table with a source line per cell and a total cost over [the period or quantity]
Finish with the recommendation, the runner-up, and a purchase request I can hand to whoever approves
Rules it keeps
The agent follows these on every run.
Never change a quoted number
Mark a quote older than [30] days as needing confirmation
Never place an order, issue a purchase order or accept a quote
The full prompt
This is what the SI agent is asked to do. The parts in brackets are what you fill in.
Compare the vendor quotes for [what we are buying and the quantity] and tell me which to pick. Read each quote in [quote files, emails or links] and put every vendor on the same footing: unit price, quantity breaks, shipping, duties, tax and the landed cost per unit, delivery date, payment terms, warranty, and what each quote leaves out of [the spec]. Where a quote is missing a number, ask the vendor in a Gmail draft rather than guessing. Build a comparison table with a source line per cell and a total cost over [the period or quantity]. Rules: never change a quoted number; mark a quote older than [30] days as needing confirmation; never place an order, issue a purchase order or accept a quote. Finish with the recommendation, the runner-up, and a purchase request I can hand to whoever approves.
Who is it for?
Purchasing and operations teams You collect quotes from several vendors and need them compared on the same terms.
Founders buying for the team You compare vendors yourself and want a clear pick and a request to hand on.
Frequently asked questions
Does it order anything?
No. It never places an order, issues a purchase order or accepts a quote. It ends with a purchase request for whoever approves.
What if a quote is missing a number?
It asks the vendor in a Gmail draft instead of guessing. You read the draft and send it yourself.
What about an old quote?
A quote older than 30 days is marked as needing confirmation. You can change the number of days.
What do I give it?
What you are buying and the quantity, the quote files, emails or links, your spec and the period or quantity for the total cost.
How can I check a number?
The table has a source line for each cell, and Minda never changes a quoted number.
Run this task in the Minda app
In Minda: Tasks → New → Browse tasks → Compare vendor quotes and write the purchase request. Minda Super Intelligence for Windows is coming soon.
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