Price and Volume Negotiation

Discussions focus on the financial aspects of the deal, including unit price, bulk discounts, payment schedules, and minimum order quantities.

Dialogue

Listen and follow along with the conversation

procurement_manager (Male)

Good morning, Ms. Chen. Thank you for joining us. Let's discuss the pricing for the X200 components. Based on our initial proposed volume of 50,000 units, your team quoted us $8.50 per unit.

supplier_representative (Female)

Good morning, Mr. Davis. That's correct. $8.50 for 50,000 units. We carefully considered our costs and the current market rates for that volume.

procurement_manager (Male)

We're actually looking to double our initial order to 100,000 units for the first quarter. Given this significant increase, we'd like to explore a more competitive unit price, perhaps closer to $7.80.

supplier_representative (Female)

An order of 100,000 units certainly presents opportunities for a volume discount. However, $7.80 is quite a jump from our current cost structure. We might be able to offer $8.10 at that quantity, considering raw material costs and production capacity.

procurement_manager (Male)

$8.10 is a step in the right direction, but we had hoped for more. What about minimum order quantities for repeat orders? And could we discuss a payment term of Net 60 instead of Net 30 for this larger initial purchase?

supplier_representative (Female)

For repeat orders, our standard MOQ remains 20,000 units. Regarding payment terms, Net 60 for the initial 100,000 unit order could be workable, but it would impact our ability to reduce the unit price further. Perhaps we could meet in the middle at $8.00 per unit if we stick to Net 30 for the initial order?

procurement_manager (Male)

That's an interesting counter-offer. $8.00 per unit for 100,000 units with Net 30 is certainly more appealing. We'd still press for a Net 45 though, if $8.00 is the firm unit price.

supplier_representative (Female)

Let me see. $8.00 per unit, 100,000 units, and Net 45. That's a challenging combination, but we value your business. Give me a moment to re-evaluate what we can do on our end.

Vocabulary

Essential words and phrases from the dialogue

quote

A price quote is an offer of a specific price for goods or services, often given by a supplier. In business, say 'We quoted $8.50 per unit' to mean you provided that price.

unit price

The cost of one single item or unit. Useful in negotiations to discuss how much each product costs, like '$8.50 per unit' for components.

volume discount

A reduced price given for buying a large quantity (volume) of items. It's common in business to encourage bigger orders, such as lowering the price for 100,000 units.

MOQ

Short for Minimum Order Quantity, the smallest number of items a supplier is willing to sell. In negotiations, ask about MOQ for repeat orders to plan future purchases.

payment terms

The conditions for how and when payment is made, like due dates. Terms like Net 30 mean payment within 30 days; negotiate them to improve cash flow.

counter-offer

A response to an offer with a different proposal, often to negotiate better terms. Use it in deals, like responding to a price with your own suggestion.

competitive

Describes a price or offer that is attractive compared to others in the market. In talks, say 'a more competitive unit price' to push for a lower cost.

Key Sentences

Important phrases to remember and practice

Based on our initial proposed volume of 50,000 units, your team quoted us $8.50 per unit.

This sentence introduces a negotiation by referring to a previous quote tied to order volume. It's useful for starting price discussions; note the past tense 'quoted' for offers already made, and numbers for specifics.

We're actually looking to double our initial order to 100,000 units for the first quarter.

Here, 'double' means to multiply by two, and 'initial order' refers to the first purchase. Use this to propose increasing quantity for better deals; it's polite with 'actually' to soften the change.

Given this significant increase, we'd like to explore a more competitive unit price, perhaps closer to $7.80.

'Given' means 'considering,' and 'explore' suggests discussing options. This is great for bargaining—link volume to price reduction with 'we'd like' for a polite request, and 'perhaps' to suggest without demanding.

An order of 100,000 units certainly presents opportunities for a volume discount.

'Presents opportunities' means creates chances; 'certainly' agrees positively. Useful to acknowledge benefits of large orders while negotiating discounts—shows willingness to compromise.

$8.10 is a step in the right direction, but we had hoped for more.

This idiom 'a step in the right direction' means progress toward a goal. It's a diplomatic way to accept partial improvement but push for better terms; 'had hoped' expresses expectation politely.

That's an interesting counter-offer.

A neutral response to a proposal, buying time to think. Use in negotiations to show you're considering it without immediate agreement; 'interesting' keeps the tone positive and open.