In today’s medical equipment market, the one thing you can be sure of is volatility – and this reality is particularly true for equipment quotes. Products are complicated; the slightest changes mean new model numbers, new pricing structures, and new service costs. On top of that, the product’s material, manufacturing, and logistics costs are changing constantly (and prices adjusting accordingly). That all adds up to an incredibly volatile purchasing experience, where a price one day could be totally different than a price the next day. And unfortunately, equipment quotes are not like fine wine: they rarely get better with age. So what happens when the quote that you based your budget on expires before you can complete the purchase? Most likely, the price will go up. You may even need to ask for more money to increase your budget. But there’s one easy way to avoid the headache.
Check the quote expiration date. You wouldn’t put a gallon of milk in your cart without checking the expiration date, so why not do the same with your equipment quotes? Most quotes have a validity period listed somewhere to let you know how long you can count on the price remaining the same. But either way, it’s always a good idea to confirm with your rep that the quote and pricing are still good before making any big decisions. In the event that the quote has expired, you can still get a new one. Even if the price has gone up, at least you’ll know in advance and can adjust your budget to avoid an unexpected hang-up. You might also have to reset price expectations with your team internally, but it’s still better than getting surprised at the last minute.
And, of course, it’s always helpful to submit the quote to EVMS to make sure that you’re maximizing your saving potential!