Very interesting commentary. Thank you for posting. If you don’t mind, please take a look at my post under “Patent, Manufacture, and Contract Breech” and give me your thoughts. I realize a legal opinion is what we need and we are getting that, but the opinions of others is appreciated. thanks.

Chris, you might mention that you are “asking for quotes” (be honest and actually get several quotes). This tells your “source” that you are serious and that they do not have a “lock”. Anant, ask yourself, “do you believe in your idea enough to pursue it on your own”. If EN does not license, you might go down this path.

Every individual that creates the quote has been trained for the job. He’ll look at a blueprint, determine the sequence of operations based on the current capabilities of the shop. Allocates a certain amount of time to set up, inspect, and individual time for to perform each operation. Then, typically thru a spreadsheat, shop rates are applied and qty’s that you ask for are applied in that spreadsheet. A formal quote is put together and then dropped on the desk of the salesperson that is your representative. He or she may take this to the CEO, president, Shop foreman, if it seems in line or out of whack, it might be re-addressed and taken back to quote.

The experience level, capabilities, greed, and just good old intuition plays a major role in the quote you recieve. Also realize, that most fabricators will not delve deep into high volume qty’s and prototype pricing in the same quote. They might be pretty busy quoting for regular customers that they know. Do not expect a shop that has no interest in doing high volume production to give you a realistic quote. Keep it realistic with the shop you are working with, they get very bored very quickly with a lot of talk.

You might even mention that your are an inventor, and need realistic numbers to fulfill the potential market, rather than wasting their time with high hopes (they will smell that), you might get an audience that will educate you on their business. Do not expect that your sales rep knows a single thing about the industry either, they are sales reps, and know more about getting your business and also the general “air” in the shop you are working for. You might learn whether you would want to deal with this shop by the “air” around the sales rep. Don’t try to convince are change their attitude, listen to their attitude.

Thanks for the advice, Scott!
I had one question. With EN, you don’t need to both about all this, right? Only if you want to pursue on your own, will this matter.

great advice Scott!

When getting a quote, would you recommend telling the manufacturer that you have actually contacted 4 to 5 manufacturers and you are the one that can make the best product for the cheapest? That way they know if they run the price up on you they may lose your business?