I've started a new site just for RFQ's, it's a forum based site with broken down categories so it will be easy to post and find a job. Members will be able to be rated for a better way of keeping high quality people. So please stop by http://rfqwork.com

Paul -

Tried to register - no go.

It tells me I entered the security image info incorrectly - 3x.

Has anyone signed up yet?

Scott

So far their has been no sign up problems, if you still have a problem let me know.

Wow, that is pretty ambitious, Paul, I hope it works out well for everyone.

One thought I had back when I used other such rfq services ;), I think one major obstacle I faced was the US/Canada border. This is a major deciding factor in a lot of work, especially low dollar work, where neither party wants the unpleasant surprise of UPS brokerage fees tacked onto their job.

So in that regard, I'm suggesting an easy way to seperate the RFQ's according to country of origin. This will make it easier for us to sort through RFQ's that have a better chance of succeeding. This was what I felt was a major reason that I as a Canadian, did not have much luck, that, as well as the fact that crossing the border takes valuable shipping time that defeats the quote date.

I have no real idea how you would segregate the RFQ's, but I'll let you programming type guys figure that out :)

On the US-Canada shipping...
I make a point to use the USPS for shipping to Canada, as they do not charge any B.S. brokerage fees. Their paper work is much simplier, too. And they have lost far fewer shipments than UPS. YMMV
I realize this doesn't help much for shipping from Canada, but for those of us shipping north, it may be of some use.

Great suggestion, the site is new and it's a work in progress, I will try to do something to accommodate the fact that people from all over the world will be using the system.

Since this site is a sister site of cnczone.com will you integrate the register/login feature so that we don't have to register twice?? If we are a member of cnczone it would be nice to use the same info and not have to re-register to use RFQWork.com. If payment is needed after the 3 months the user could pay accordingly.

Just a thought, very easy to do:)

Just a thought, very easy to do:)

Please do tell how this is easy to do?

Ok I'm working on it.

Thanks for setting this up Paul!

Just one minor nitpick: The image verification system is much blurrier than others I've used. There was NO WAY I was going to get it right on the first image offered, but I did okay on the second.

HFD: Where do I go to find out how much something will cost to bring into the US?

Thanks!

-Jeff

Hi Paul,

There is a spelling mistake on your first forum. Advertise YOU business.
Just (wedge) trying to help!

I don't know if there would be much response but one thing I would like to see is a forum dedicated to shops willing to do small jobs at a fair price. All work would have to have prints or cad to qualify. To r&d stuff allowed. Of course there is a very selfish reason I want to see this forum! :cool:

Mike

At $20/month I hope it takes off really well.
That beats the $4500/year for MFGQUOTE.com for sure.

dk

Finally, an alternative to MFGquote. Thanks Paul!

I think those posting RFQ's should be able to do so for free. It will increse the number of RFQ's posted. Just my 2 cents.

Thanks for setting this up Paul!

HFD: Where do I go to find out how much something will cost to bring into the US?

Thanks!

-Jeff

Well, due to the Free Trade Agreement, most parts can likely cross duty free. However, that does not mean much to UPS who will charge you $35 to rubber stamp the import (plus shipping charges) if it has a value over $20 (this is coming in to Canada, I am not sure about the other direction, but I've heard that it is similar).

The mail is a good option to beat this brokerage rap, thus far. Canada Post charges $5 to broker the shipments presently, plus GST on any imports into Canada. Canadians can export without charging GST to anyone outside of Canada.

The problem is shipping via mail can be slow unless you choose one of their courier options. Expect anywhere from 4 days on up in customs, even on a premium shipping charge. This kills the incentive to pay extra for shipping by mail, because it won't speed it up anyways. That has been my experience, other guys are welcome to relate their secrets of shipping :)

Paul, could you add a laser/wj/plasma catagory to RFQWork?

I do a lot of quotes for those processes, and sometimes the parts can be done on more than one process.

Thanks!

-Jeff

I tried to make a post in the new forum, it said I was successfull, but the post is not there. Do all post require approval b4 been displayed?

I tried to make a post in the new forum, it said I was successfull, but the post is not there. Do all post require approval b4 been displayed?

No posts require approval. I see your post.....

I have fixed all the login and posting issues, this is a brand new software version that I will be replacing cnczone with in the very near future, so it's a little bit of a learning curve for me.

Paul, could you add a laser/wj/plasma catagory to RFQWork?

I do a lot of quotes for those processes, and sometimes the parts can be done on more than one process.

Thanks!

-Jeff


All done http://rfqwork.com/forumdisplay.php?f=34

Since this site is a sister site of cnczone.com will you integrate the register/login feature so that we don't have to register twice?? If we are a member of cnczone it would be nice to use the same info and not have to re-register to use RFQWork.com. If payment is needed after the 3 months the user could pay accordingly.

Just a thought, very easy to do:)


I've decided NOT to that, sorry for the inconvenience that will cause.

I think those posting RFQ's should be able to do so for free. It will increse the number of RFQ's posted. Just my 2 cents.


Well, true BUT if a guy pays money to post a RFQ that will weed out the serious from the time wasters.

I tried to make a post in the new forum, it said I was successfull, but the post is not there. Do all post require approval b4 been displayed?

I found the problem and you should be good to go Benny.

Some additional food for thought.

It is relatively common for those posting a RFQ that they are clearly not ready for a RFQ posting, or if they are, do not offer enough information for those quoting to offer a price without eating up time for nothing in just finding out necessary information for a intelligent quote. It can take quite a bit of time generating a quote, no one I know of gets paid for this time so I feel that at least the minimum amount of information should be required as part of the RFQ post, saving both parties time.

My idea of minimum.
1) Material type
2) Is a material quote required or is material supplied.
3) Quantity
4) Drawings should be immediately available or necessary specs.
5) Required time frame
6) RFQ ending time
7) Full contact information should be supplied upon first contact by email from both parties, neither should have to reply to IggysCNC@hotmail.com.
8) If the RFQ poster needs help in some of the technical areas then that should be made know initially.
9) Make known any special treatments/finishes not necessarly related to the machining process.

Ken

Great Idea Ken and it's in the process right now.

Tolerances, I can't stress this enough.
I proper print for RFQ HAS to have OBVIOUS tolerances and surface finishes.

edit

Thanks paul, for fixing the problem.

If I was to be a foreign member of such a forum, I would be quite hesitant to pay the same fees as every one else, and yet be stuck as a Sub forum attachment as it currently is.
I dont think you need a forum distinction between countries in this case, so long as the advertiser clearly states where he or she is based, and the area that they are willing to service.

EDIT: I see you made the suggested changes. I feel this is better and less likely to to alienate the rest of the world. Good job.

Check this new feature out http://rfqwork.com/VBGooglemap.php

To Hu flung dung:


"(Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)"


You've done it again! LMAO!

Chris

Is there a real need for the alternative of MFGQuotes as the list of buyers what they hold is very impressive and if anything clicks your way then the whole cost is been recoverd.
Never know...
What i really think is why do buyers post their listings on MFGquotes just to get the cost of the component or are they looking for various options of manufacturing the component or are they searching for new vendors...
Could some existing MFGQuote buyer share his experience here....

If I can get a part made for at or under my budget, (which I include in RFQs) I buy the parts. My MFGQuote experience has been a bit hit or miss, but no better or worse than going outside MFGquote. I tend to buy small batches, in the $100-$600 range. I have found two job shops that have gotten repeat business after the initial MFGquote job.

As a buyer, I like it, and I'm currently doing both MFGquote and RFQwork to see what I like better.

I hear that many job shops are unhappy with MFGquote though.

-Jeff

Dear InspirationTool,
With MFGQuotes you have the option of just asking quotes from the MFGQuote members but suppose if you have a option wherein you have your own vendor list + you get other people bidding for the job how would it be.
Also you have the option to restrict the RFQ for a specific country or countries.
You also can track the project by online project tracking method.
What would be of your choice.
OR
May I dare to ask what will you look for if you are looking for alternative of MFGQuotes.
-Vikrant
Founder www.IndiaMachineShop.com