A quotation is a sales document, so it is optimised to look competitive rather than to be complete. That is not a scandal — it is just what a quotation is. But it means the comparison you are making is between two incomplete documents.
Here are the six lines to ask for, with wording you can paste into a message.
1. Cartridges itemised by stated depth
"With cartridges" is not a specification. You need to know which cartridges, because that determines whether the machine can do the work you are buying it for.
2. Today's replacement price per cartridge
The single most consequential number in the whole purchase, and the one least likely to be volunteered. Without it you cannot calculate what a client session costs you, which means you cannot tell whether your intended price is profitable.
More on why this decides everything in the cartridge guide.
3. The warranty parts list
Most quotations state a period. Very few attach the parts list, and the parts list is the warranty. A period with no list is a duration attached to nothing.
4. Installation terms for this specific machine
Installation genuinely varies product to product — onsite or remote, included or chargeable. A general statement about the supplier's policy is not an answer about your machine.
5. Post-warranty repair mechanics
Where does the machine go, who pays freight each way, and how long does it typically take? A quotation never says. Downtime is real money and it is entirely predictable at this stage.
6. Which certificate applies to this exact model
Certification is held per model, not per brand or category. A general claim about the range is not evidence about the machine in your quotation.
If a supplier answers all six in writing within a day, you have learned something good about them regardless of the price. If they answer none, the price is irrelevant. Full version in the checklist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I really send all six to every supplier?
Yes, and identically worded. The point is comparability - and the differences in how completely each supplier replies is itself the most useful data you will collect.
What if the answers change the ranking of my shortlist?
That is the intended outcome. A ranking based on incomplete quotations was never a real ranking.