We tried 3 Instant Quoting services. Here’s what we learned.

When it comes to manufacturing or prototyping a product, the key to success lies in the overall experience of the service provided to the client. This is no different than any other service provided by a company.

Many manufacturing companies offer an Instant Quoting service to help customers get a quick estimate for their project. An instant quote is a preliminary cost estimate for a project based on a few key factors, such as material, quantity, and complexity. It’s a convenient tool for many thanks to its short waiting time, but how reliable and positive is the experience from these services?

We tried three different 3D Printing Instant Quoting services to share the most critical aspects of instant quotes, concluding with some recommendations about instant quotes.

We quoted the following file:

Cost accuracy

One of the most important factors to consider is the accuracy of the quotes provided. The quoted price should match the actual cost of production, and any additional fees or charges should be clearly outlined and transparent.

Although it is difficult to determine which one is the most accurate, by looking at the following image, we can see that there is a considerable disparity in the prices that the three services show:

We can spot even a 50% variation in costs for one piece. In every case, we selected the cheapest shipping option to avoid price interference from that service.

Customization

It is expected that this kind of automated service lacks the possibility of customization since the prices they give you rely on standard times, components, materials, and processes.

Anything that needs specific attention may find complications during the manufacturing process, with inaccurate results.

As we can see, there is little room for different specifications, so make sure that you don’t need anything outside their capabilities, or else you will need to request personal attention before requesting a quote or risk the quality of your product.

Ease of use

The service should be user-friendly and easy to navigate, with clear instructions and guidance on inputting the necessary information for a quote.

A good quoting service should be intuitive and guide you step by step before or during the process since you should be able to get your quote fast and effectively.

Customer service

It is also essential to consider the level of customer service the quoting service provides. Are there representatives available to answer questions and provide support? Are there clear channels of communication for troubleshooting or addressing issues that may arise?

Automated services often underestimate how frequently “uncommon” questions or cases arise. It is necessary to offer a way to contact a human being to solve manufacturing-related issues.

We can see that company 1 has a small contact button, noticeable only when looking for it. Companies 2 and 3 have a floating chat button that makes it more accessible for doubtful clients to access support.

Instant quote vs. Manual quote

As we can see in the previous analysis, the accuracy of the instant quotes and the service provided can vary considerably between the different services.

In some cases, it is worth considering requesting a manual quote, especially for more complex projects or those requiring customization beyond the capabilities of the instant quoting service, or when you prefer reaching out to someone because you may have doubts.

You can find a more comprehensive comparison between manual and instant quoting in this article to help you decide when to choose one.

Precise and customized quotes

Get high-quality quotes from quality-assured manufacturers wherever you find yourself. With worldwide service and delivery at Wikifactory, we’re always ready to support your production needs.

We take care of every quote we send, considering all technical and personal needs. Whether 3D printing, CNC machining, Sheet Metal Fabrication, or Injection Molding, you can take a look at our manufacturing capabilities and enjoy our manufacturing services.

Do you have any doubts about beginning your process? You can visit our help center, where you will find many articles that will guide you. You can also contact us by clicking the chat icon to the right of this text.