SUPPLIER PRICE COMPARISON

Compare the unit cost,
not just the pack price.

A supplier's new price can look lower even when each item costs more. Divide the price by the number of comparable units in the pack before deciding whether it is a saving.

A smaller pack can hide a price increase

The pack costs US$2 less, but the unit cost is 10% higher: (1.10 − 1.00) ÷ 1.00 × 100 = 10%. If the items differ in size, quality or specification, this price comparison alone is not enough.

Prepare two comparable files

1. Use the previous and updated lists from the same supplier. Save each as UTF-8 CSV or TSV. Work on copies.
2. Include an exact SKU, total pack price and whole-number units per pack. For prices already quoted per item, choose Already priced per unit (1).
3. Keep currencies and the underlying unit the same for each SKU. For example, do not compare a kilogram with a gram or a net price with a tax-inclusive price. Convert the source data yourself first.
4. Remove currency symbols from prices. Select the appropriate number format: 1,234.56 or 1.234,56. Both files must follow that format.

Run the comparison

1. Open the comparison and choose both files.
2. Check the SKU, pack-price and pack-quantity columns for each file. Similar-looking headings are not proof that the data means the same thing.
3. Confirm the units and pricing basis, then select Compare unit costs.
4. Review duplicate SKUs, missing values and invalid quantities first. They are excluded from cost comparisons; correct the original files and try again.
5. Filter or search the findings. Export the full CSV report, or use the CSV text fallback if your browser blocks the download. The printed summary contains only the displayed rows.

Try a sample before your own data

Download previous CSV · Download updated CSV

Expected result: 3 increased, 1 decreased, 2 unchanged, 1 added, 1 removed and 2 needing review. SKU 001-TEA is the 10% increase above. SKU 002-COFFEE changes from 12 to 10 items per pack but stays at US$3 per item.

“Added” and “removed” describe whether a SKU is present in a file. They do not confirm availability or discontinuation. A zero previous price has no defined percentage increase. Case and leading zeros are significant: 001 does not match 1.

When this tool is not enough

Use your spreadsheet or purchasing system for weighted units, multiple currencies, negotiated discounts, landed costs, ambiguous product identity, or vendor-specific matching rules. UnitCost Desk does not parse PDFs or Excel workbooks, change your catalog, or replace checking the supplier's quotation.

Open UnitCost Desk · Privacy & limitations

Price history

Open Price history, enter an exact SKU and use its updated price from your comparison, or enter a quote manually. Set its supplier, date and underlying unit. Confirm uploading this quote, then save. Histories stay separate by SKU, supplier, currency and unit. Export them as CSV; manage deletion and JSON backups in Workspace.