How to Suggest an Alternate Item

Objective: Provide guidance on suggesting alternative items in a quote when the original requested item may not be the best option or is unavailable.

Introduction: Sometimes, the specific items requested by a buyer may not be available, or you might have a better alternative that could meet the buyer’s needs more effectively. This article outlines the process of suggesting alternative items within the NASPO ValuePoint platform.

Detailed Steps to Suggest an Alternate Item:

1. Identifying the Need for an Alternate:
   • Review the buyer’s original request and determine if an alternative might be necessary due to availability issues or potential improvements in cost, quality, or delivery times.
2. Accessing the Quote:
   • Navigate to the quote where you need to suggest an alternative. Open the quote details by clicking on the quote ID.
3. Suggesting an Alternate:
   • Locate the ‘Suggest Alternate’ button or link, usually found near the item details within the quote.
   • Click this button to open a field where you can enter details about the alternative item.
4. Entering Alternate Item Details:
   • Provide comprehensive details of the alternate item, including descriptions, specifications, pricing, and availability.
   • Highlight how the alternative meets or exceeds the requirements of the original request.
5. Submitting the Alternate for Review:
   • Once you have filled in all the necessary information about the alternate item, submit the updated quote for buyer review.
   • Ensure that you clearly mark the item as an alternate to avoid any confusion during the buyer’s evaluation.

Conclusion: Suggesting alternate items can provide significant value to both the supplier and the buyer by enhancing flexibility and increasing the chances of meeting the buyer’s needs. Properly communicating the benefits and details of alternative items is key to successful negotiations and customer satisfaction.