The latest articles on DEV Community by Allan Yang (@allanyang). https://dev.to/allanyang https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=90,height=90,fit=cover,gravity=auto,format=auto/https:%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Fuser%2Fprofile_image%2F4206267%2F832ffe9d-2e4c-46de-ada9-10438ab8483c.png https://dev.to/allanyang en Allan Yang Sun, 25 Oct 2026 09:05:43 +0000 https://dev.to/allanyang/5-rfq-fields-that-make-wire-harness-quotes-useless-4m6b https://dev.to/allanyang/5-rfq-fields-that-make-wire-harness-quotes-useless-4m6b <p>You asked three harness shops for quotes.<br> You got three numbers.<br> None of them describe the same cable.</p> <p>Usually the RFQ was missing a few fields. Suppliers filled the blanks with <em>their</em> assumptions — then priced the risk. Here are the five blanks that break comparison most often.</p> <h2> The 5 fields </h2> <p>Fill these <strong>before</strong> you email anyone. If any row is blank, your quotes are not comparable.</p> <ol> <li> <strong>Drawing + revision letter</strong> — “Rev A” vs “latest” is two products. No rev → the shop redraws.</li> <li> <strong>Manufacturer PN for every connector</strong> — “Molex-like” or “JST-type” is not a PN. List alternates or forbid them.</li> <li> <strong>Pinout / cavity map</strong> — Same housing, different pinout = scrap. Attach a pin table; don’t prose it.</li> <li> <strong>Qty tiers + sample qty</strong> — Ask 25 / 100 / 500 plus a 2-pc sample line so you can score replies.</li> <li> <strong>Tests you will pay for</strong> — Continuity-only vs hipot + pinout + pull is different cost. Write the list.</li> </ol> <p><strong>Rule of thumb:</strong> If you would not accept a substitute on that field, write <em>no substitution without written approval</em>.</p> <h2> Mini scorecard (don’t pick on unit price alone) </h2> <p>Score each supplier 1–5 on the same rows:</p> <div class="table-wrapper-paragraph"><table> <thead> <tr> <th>Criterion</th> <th>Weight</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td>Same rev &amp; PN quoted</td> <td>×3</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tests included as asked</td> <td>×2</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sample + lead time clear</td> <td>×2</td> </tr> <tr> <td>NRE / tooling itemized</td> <td>×1</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Unit price @ target qty</td> <td>×2</td> </tr> </tbody> </table></div> <p><strong>Quick fail (any one → pause):</strong></p> <ul> <li>Quote references a different revision than your attachment</li> <li>Connector described as “equivalent” with no manufacturer PN</li> <li>Deposit asked before a qualification sample with test records</li> <li>Unit price only — no sample, no NRE, no lead time</li> </ul> <h2> Next hour </h2> <ol> <li>Fill the five fields against your drawing/BOM.</li> <li>Attach drawing + BOM + pinout (same pack to every shop).</li> <li>Send to <strong>3–5</strong> suppliers — never one.</li> <li>Score replies. Pick a <strong>qualification sample</strong>, not a production PO.</li> </ol> <h2> Free one-pager </h2> <p>I packaged this as a free one-pager (buyer-side only, no supplier list):</p> <p>→ <a href="https://allanyang.gumroad.com/l/free-rfq-starter" rel="noopener noreferrer">Free RFQ Starter</a></p> <p>Landing + PDF: <a href="https://merry-elf-615ae5.netlify.app" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://merry-elf-615ae5.netlify.app</a></p> <p>If you want the full English RFQ emails + weighted scorecards + sample/payment gates, the paid kits live on the same landing page. Happy to answer specifics in the comments either way.</p> hardware electronics manufacturing sourcing