Tricks of the Trade: Testing Quotes

Rule of Thumb: ALWAYS ask for a quote prior to the testing of your product!

When submitting product/s for testing without requesting a quote (also known as Blind Submitting) you leave yourself open to the risk of overspending. Labs can take advantage of customers who might not know the ins and outs of what the average pricing for a test costs, how to combine like tests, and how to submit existing documentations in lieu of testing. Would you take your car to a mechanic and have them fix it before knowing what they plan on fixing and the estimated cost of the work? So why should product testing be any different? Never put yourself at the mercy of the lab.

There are two ways to receive an accurate quote from a lab.

The first is to send the lab of your choosing product information:

Based on the information sent, the lab should provide you a rough estimate of the total cost of testing. Remember, this is an estimate that can fluctuate in pricing once samples are received.

The second way to request a quote:

Send over a sample of your product directly to the lab you plan on testing with. This is the most common practice used when requesting a quote and will get you the most accurate cost quote of the two methods.

The quote sheet you receive from the lab should have a detailed breakdown of each test needed, the exact cost for each test, and the number of samples the lab will need to complete testing. Having the sample submittal number is very beneficial, as it can save you the wait of having to submit more samples for testing.

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As a service, CPTS can perform Lab Quote Evaluations on your products. These are evaluations that look at your product and the regulations that will be applicable and compares it to the quote sheet you were provided. What we look for range from unnecessary testing, the ability to consolidate tests, any existing documentation to submit in lieu of testing, and to an overall evaluation of the total cost. We want to make sure that you are receiving the best service and prices possible.

CPTS also takes the additional step of providing you with a second quote from an accredited 3rd part laboratory in the same area with at a guaranteed lower price.

As a trial, we offer this service free of charge for first time requesters.

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CPTS