How to compare two netting quotes without choosing the wrong one
Two quotes can look comparable and still describe different products. That is the quiet danger in agricultural netting sourcing. One quote includes UV-treated HDPE, confirmed roll width and FOB terms. Another says “green net, good quality, best price.” On paper, the second one wins. In the field, paper does not hold the net up.
This checklist helps you compare quotes by specification, not by wishful thinking.
In short
Compare netting quotes only after you normalize the spec: material, UV treatment, the decisive measurement (aperture, shade rate, gsm or wire diameter), roll format, MOQ, lead time, Incoterm, freight scope and documents. A cheaper quote is not cheaper if it quietly excludes what you assumed was included.
What are you actually comparing?
Before price, confirm what is being quoted:
- insect netting;
- shade netting;
- anti-hail netting;
- bird or garden netting;
- mesh bags;
- wire mesh or fencing.
Then confirm the decisive spec:
- insect netting: aperture in millimetres, not just mesh count;
- shade netting: shade percentage and color;
- hail netting: gsm, mesh size and support assumptions;
- mesh bags: size, capacity and closure;
- fencing: wire diameter, opening and coating.
If the decisive spec is missing, the quote is not comparable.
How do you lay the two quotes side by side?
| Quote line | Quote A | Quote B | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | HDPE, PP, steel and coating are not interchangeable. | ||
| UV treatment | Outdoor lifespan depends heavily on stabilisation. | ||
| Key spec | Aperture, shade rate, gsm, wire diameter or bag size. | ||
| Roll/bag format | Determines installation and packing. | ||
| Quantity and MOQ | Small orders can look cheap until MOQ appears. | ||
| Incoterm | EXW, FOB, CIF and DDP are different landed-cost stories. | ||
| Freight included? | Port price is not warehouse price. | ||
| Lead time | Production and shipping timing can decide the crop season. | ||
| Documents | Certificates, packing list, invoice, inspection scope. |
Copy this table into your buying notes. It is not elegant, but neither is discovering after shipping that “included” meant “included in a different universe”.
Which quality words are red flags?
Be careful with phrases like:
- good quality;
- export standard;
- heavy duty;
- UV resistant;
- factory direct;
- hot sale.
Those words are not useless, but they are not specifications. Ask what they mean in measurable terms:
- “UV resistant” should become material and UV treatment.
- “heavy duty” should become gsm, wire diameter or tensile data.
- “factory direct” should still come with a real company, documents and delivery terms.
How do you compare Incoterms fairly?
A quote under EXW can look cheaper than a quote under FOB or CIF because it excludes more work. That does not make it better.
Before comparing prices, write:
- Where does seller responsibility end?
- Who pays main freight?
- Who clears customs?
- Who pays duties and taxes?
- Who delivers to final address?
For the basics, see EXW, FOB, CIF or DDP for netting imports, or use the RFQ Spec Builder.
What is the fastest way to get comparable quotes?
Use the same spec sheet for every supplier. Do not let each supplier decide what you meant.
Include:
- product family;
- use case;
- target spec;
- material;
- dimensions;
- quantity;
- destination;
- preferred Incoterm or “not sure”.
The RFQ Spec Builder creates exactly that format.
Sources
- International Chamber of Commerce, Incoterms 2020 rules: https://iccwbo.org/business-solutions/incoterms-rules/
- Mesh & Net product-family pages and catalogue specification fields.
This article is a buying checklist, not legal or customs advice. For import responsibilities, confirm details with a broker or qualified advisor.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the cheapest netting quote often not the cheapest?
A low headline price frequently excludes something: material grade, UV treatment, the real roll format, freight, customs duties or the MOQ. Those costs do not disappear, they reappear after you have committed. Normalize the specification first, then compare.
What single detail makes two netting quotes comparable?
The decisive spec for that product, stated in measurable terms: aperture in millimetres for insect netting, shade percentage for shade netting, gsm for anti-hail netting, wire diameter for fencing, size and capacity for mesh bags. Without it, the quotes are not comparable.
Does a quote under EXW mean it is cheaper than one under FOB or CIF?
No. EXW simply excludes more work: main freight, export handling, customs clearance and duties are all still on you. A quote can look cheaper only because it covers less. Always compare on the same Incoterm before comparing price.
What should I send every supplier to get comparable quotes?
One identical spec sheet: product family, use case, target spec, material, dimensions, quantity, destination and preferred Incoterm (or an honest "not sure"). Do not let each supplier decide what you meant.