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Customer guide

The Customer Guide

Every tool you get on SupplementQuotes, where to find it, and what the manufacturer sees when you use it.

Making supplements for brands? Read the Manufacturer Guide →
Chapter 1 · Your account

Create your brand account and find your way around

A free brand account is all you need to request quotes and use the Formula Helper. Here is how to set it up, and what each button in the top menu does.

  1. 1Sign upChoose Brand / Customer, add your name, phone and shipping address, tick both agreement boxes and click Create account →.
  2. 2ConfirmClick the link in the confirmation email we send you, then sign in. Sign-in waits until you confirm.
  3. 3Your menuThe top menu has Formula Helper, My Orders, Help and My Account. A red number on My Orders counts orders waiting on you.
  4. 4Finish upIf your name, company or phone is missing, your dashboard asks you to Finish setting up your account. Click Complete profile → or Later.
Good to know
  • Passwords need at least 8 characters, with letters and numbers. The 8+ characters and letters & numbers hints turn green as you type.
  • No email? Try to sign in, then click Resend confirmation email → under the message.
  • You can also create your account at the end of your first quote request. Everything you entered stays saved while you sign up.
  • Forgot password? on the sign-in tab emails you a link to set a new one.
  • Your saved name, company and shipping address fill in your requests and signatures. Change them any time in My Account.
Chapter 2 · The Formula Helper

Turn a product idea into a spec sheet

Not sure what goes in your product yet? Talk it through with the Formula Helper, our AI chemist, and get a draft spec sheet that manufacturers can price.

  1. 1Start talkingOpen Formula Helper and tell the chemist what you want to make, or tap a starter like A greens powder.
  2. 2Add your notesDrop in a photo of your notes, a PDF or a spreadsheet if you have one. Then click Draft my spec sheet.
  3. 3Check the draftReview the ingredients, serving size and Suggested MOQ. To change something, click Ask the chemist for changes.
  4. 4Send it outClick Submit spec for quotes and finish the request. Manufacturers see that the spec began as an AI-assisted draft.
Good to know
  • The Formula Helper is free on brand accounts. Manufacturer and sales accounts can't use it.
  • Attach up to 3 files per conversation, 10 MB each: PDF (up to 10 pages), JPG, PNG, CSV or Excel. Our AI provider reads them and doesn't keep them.
  • The spec lands in the quote request at the Supplement Facts step. If you already have an unfinished request, you're asked before it's replaced.
  • It's a draft, not a formulation. Your manufacturer confirms the doses and what works at your volume, and you stay responsible for your claims and compliance.
  • There are daily limits. If a conversation ends, you can draft from what you have or click Message our team and a person will help.
Chapter 3 · Requesting quotes

Describe your product once, get competing quotes

A quote request takes six short steps, from product type to signature. Every manufacturer prices the same spec, so the quotes you get back compare cleanly.

  1. 1Your productClick Request New Quote, pick the product type, then add each bottle count and your Supplement Facts ingredients.
  2. 2LabelsSet packaging and a label for each count. No artwork yet? Tick No label yet and attach your supplement info. Choose who prints them.
  3. 3Sign and sendAfter testing and shelf life, review, agree to the four agreements, sign with your name and title, and click Submit Quote Request →.
  4. 4On their boardManufacturers see your request on their board, with who prints the labels and your deadline, and start pricing it.
Good to know
  • Every change saves as you go, and the form shows Saved to your account. Come back later and your dashboard offers Resume or Discard.
  • Same formula in different bottle sizes? Click + Add count for each one. Every count gets its own packaging, label and price.
  • You can split one count into several label designs, like Kids and Adults. Their bottles must add up to that count.
  • Testing starts with Manufacturer Standard Laboratory Testing, which is recommended. You also pick the date printed on the label; an expiration or best-by date needs your stability study, attached right there.
  • Once you've completed an order with a maker, sending a new request asks Who should see this request? Choosing All verified manufacturers gets you competing quotes.
Chapter 4 · Your requests

Track every request from one dashboard

Everything you have asked for lives under My Orders. Each card shows where a request stands, what the best offers are, and whose move it is.

  1. 1Your listClick My Orders. Pending Quotes holds every request still collecting quotes. Two icons switch between Card view and Row view.
  2. 2Read a cardThe strip shows where it stands. Top offers puts the cheapest offer first, marked BEST if two or more compete. The chat icon counts new messages.
  3. 3Open it upSent a request to just one maker and no quote after 3 days? Click Open to all manufacturers.
  4. 4Everyone sees itEvery verified manufacturer can now see and quote it, so competing offers can come in.
Good to know
  • A request with offers waiting says Your turn. After you counter, it says Awaiting reply to your counter. Click the chat icon to open it right at the chat.
  • Archive hides a request nobody has quoted, claimed or messaged about yet. Bring it back with ↩ Restore from the Archived tab.
  • You can delete a request only while it has no quote, no working-on-it claim, no chat history and no order. Deleting can't be undone.
  • A request expires 30 days after your quote deadline, or 60 days after posting if you set none. Renew starts a fresh copy open to all manufacturers.
  • Once you accept a quote, the request moves to My Active Orders.
Chapter 5 · Editing and options

Change your request without losing your quotes

Before anyone quotes, you can edit a request in place. After that, a change becomes a new option, so the quotes you already have stay valid.

  1. 1Edit in placeBefore any quote or lock, Edit Request reopens your request and saves your changes right on it.
  2. 2Add an optionOnce a maker quotes or marks it as working on it, the button becomes Add New Option.
  3. 3Save Version 2Change what you need. The last step lists what is changing, and Save Version 2 adds it beside the original.
  4. 4They compareEvery maker on the request is told. They see version tabs, with the changed fields highlighted.
Good to know
  • Your first version and its quotes stay live. Makers can quote either option, and you can accept an offer on any of them.
  • A working-on-it lock lasts 30 days. You can't edit or delete that version, but you can still chat, add a new option or accept an offer.
  • You can remove an added option with the × on its tab, as long as no maker has quoted it or marked it as working on it.
  • Editing skips the product type and labels. If you change nothing, it says Nothing changed yet. and won't save a copy.
  • After a deal, the tabs show ✓ Accepted deal on the option you bought and not selected on the rest.
Chapter 6 · Comparing quotes

Compare offers on price, timing and trust

Every manufacturer quotes the same spec, so you can compare them line by line and pick the one that fits.

  1. 1They quoteEach maker sends a price per unit, the quantity, a lead time and how long the offer stays valid.
  2. 2CompareYou get New quote received. Each maker shows their badges, rating, lead time and price, with Best price on the lowest.
  3. 3Open an offerClick a maker to see their offer: price, quantity, lead time, verified badges and how long it stays valid.
  4. 4Check the totalLabel printing is a one-time charge at cost, and freight is billed at shipping. Est. total adds it all up.
Good to know
  • Verified badges mean the SupplementQuotes team reviewed that certificate document. Only current certificates show.
  • Best price shows once two or more makers have live offers. With several bottle counts, you get Pricing by bottle count and flags like Best on 60 ct.
  • If an offer quotes a different number of bottles, it says This offer changes the order quantity and shows the change, like 5,000 → 6,000.
  • Older rounds fold into Offer history. An expired offer can't be accepted until the maker sends a fresh one.
Chapter 7 · Negotiating and chat

Counter an offer and talk it through

Not happy with an offer yet? Send a counter with your own terms, and use the private chat to work out the details with each manufacturer.

  1. 1CounterOn the offer, click Counter Offer. You can also accept it, or Reject it to turn it down.
  2. 2Your termsType the price you want to pay per unit. Pick how long it is valid and the shipping, then click Submit Counter →.
  3. 3Their turnThe maker gets New counter-offer and can accept, counter or reject. Until they answer, you can Revise your offer.
  4. 4Talk it throughUse the Private chat under the offer. Only that maker sees it. On a computer, Enter sends and Shift+Enter adds a line.
Good to know
  • Your counter can also change the units, the lead time and the shipping: the maker ships it to you, or you arrange pickup or your own courier.
  • You choose how long your counter is valid: 7, 14 or 30 days, a date you pick, or no expiry. It starts at 14 days.
  • An expired offer can't be accepted. Click Request updated quote and the maker is asked for a fresh one.
  • Each maker who quotes, marks your request as working on it, or messages you gets a private thread. Other makers never see it.
  • Put two asterisks on each side of a word to make it bold. Email transcript opens your email app with the whole conversation.
Chapter 8 · Accepting a quote

Accept an offer and turn it into an order

Accepting an offer is the handshake. It creates the purchase order for you and the manufacturer, and your order tracker takes over from there.

  1. 1AcceptClick Accept, start the order on the offer you want. If it changes your quantity, you approve the new numbers first.
  2. 2SignTick the Purchase Order Terms, type your name and title, and accept. That handshake creates the order.
  3. 3Deal acceptedYour PO is ready: Download Purchase Order or click Go to payment →. The maker sees the order, waiting on your deposit.
  4. 4DocumentsYour live order card has a Documents menu: the Purchase Order, the Pro forma invoice and, after the final payment, the Final invoice.
Good to know
  • If the offer changes your quantity, you first see the new order total and deposit, then click Approve new quantity & accept offer. Split labels must add up to the new numbers.
  • Your name, your title, the terms version and the exact time are recorded with the order.
  • Once you accept, every other offer on the request locks, and the other makers are told they weren't selected.
  • The deposit is 50% of the order. SupplementQuotes collects each payment and releases it to the manufacturer.
  • The Final invoice bills the units actually produced, plus freight and label charges.
Chapter 9 · Paying

Pay the deposit, then the final payment

Every order is paid in two parts: a 50% deposit to start, and the rest before it ships. You pay SupplementQuotes by wire or ACH, and we release each payment to the manufacturer.

  1. 1Your turnChoose Pay by Wire, which lands the next business day, or Pay by ACH, which clears in 3 to 5 business days with no fee.
  2. 2Wire itWire the deposit to the bank details on your card, then click I've sent the deposit by wire and Yes, I sent it.
  3. 3We release itSupplementQuotes confirms the money landed, then releases the deposit to the manufacturer. You both see it happen on the card.
  4. 4Final paymentBefore it ships, you pay the rest, billed on the bottles actually made, plus freight and any extras you approved.
Good to know
  • Paying by wire? Our banking details never change. If an email says they have, don't send money. Check the details on your order card and message us in the deal chat.
  • ACH checkout is by Stripe. While the transfer clears, your card says Your deposit is clearing, then it updates itself when the money lands.
  • Left checkout without paying? Nothing was charged, and your card offers to pick it up again.
  • Now and then a manufacturer proposes an extra charge, like a label reprint. It's added only if you approve it, up to $1,000 per order.
  • Your purchase order, pro forma invoice and final invoice are under Documents on the order card.
Chapter 10 · Your label

Get your label approved before it prints

Once your deposit clears, you send your final label artwork and the manufacturer checks it against your formula. Nothing is printed until they approve it.

  1. 1UploadOn your turn, click Upload label & submit and choose your artwork: a PDF, JPG or PNG up to 25 MB.
  2. 2They check itThe manufacturer compares it with your formula. Your label shows Pending review, and nothing prints until they approve.
  3. 3Fix if askedIf they ask for changes, you see their note. Click Upload fixed label & resend, or Resubmit as-is if it's already right.
  4. 4ApprovedOnce it says Approved, the label is locked in for printing. Every upload stays in Version history.
Good to know
  • Different artwork for the same formula, like two flavors? Click Split the run →. Each label gets its own file, and the bottles must add up to the count.
  • Offered label printing for a one-time charge? Approve it, send a Counter offer, or decline and print them yourself. Printing is billed at cost.
  • Printing them yourself? Once the label is approved, the manufacturer adds their Ship to: address. Send the labels, add a tracking number if you have one, and click Mark as sent.
  • Replacing an approved label sends it back for approval. Once production starts, the label is locked.
  • Questions about the artwork? Talk them through in the deal chat on the order.
Chapter 11 · Production and the final count

Pay for the bottles that were actually made

A production run seldom lands on the exact bottle count, so your final payment follows what was really made. Anything outside the usual ±10% needs your OK before you pay for it.

  1. 1They startOnce your deposit is released and your label is approved and in hand, the manufacturer clicks Mark In Production.
  2. 2In productionYou get a notice, and your card says In production. Nothing is needed from you while they make it.
  3. 3Final countWhen the run is done, they enter the bottles actually made and send it to you. That sets up your final invoice.
  4. 4Billed on actualsBetween 90% and 110% of your order, you pay for the bottles made. Your tracker shows the difference.
Good to know
  • Under 90% of your order? A Production shortfall card holds shipping and the final payment until you accept the lower count or raise it with Report a problem.
  • Over 110%? The extra bottles are billed only if you approve them in the Excess production card. Declined bottles are never billed or shipped.
  • Only the final payment changes. Your deposit stays at 50% of the original order.
  • Once production starts, your label and who prints it are locked. Anything that has to change is worked out in the deal chat.
Chapter 12 · Shipping and delivery

Choose how it ships and follow it to your door

When production is done, you decide who moves the pallets. Either way, you follow the shipment on your order card until you confirm it arrived.

  1. 1ChoosePick how it reaches you: the manufacturer ships it for their freight price, or you arrange your own pickup or courier.
  2. 2They ship itOnce your final payment is through, the manufacturer marks it shipped and adds the carrier and tracking number.
  3. 3Track itYour card says On its way and shows a tracking link. When the pallets arrive, click Mark as received.
  4. 4ConfirmClick Yes, it arrived to close the order. If you don't, it's marked received automatically 10 days after shipping.
Good to know
  • Arranging your own pickup? The manufacturer posts pallet count, dimensions and weight under Pallet & shipping, marked For your freight booking, so you can book a carrier.
  • On a pickup order you can upload your carrier's Bill of Lading (BOL) and pallet label, then click Notify manufacturer so they go on the pallets.
  • You can change the delivery address until the order ships with Change address. The manufacturer is told, and a freight quote may need revising.
  • Freight is added to your final payment and goes to the manufacturer in full. Changed your mind by then? You can switch to your own pickup, which removes the freight.
  • UPS, FedEx, USPS and DHL tracking numbers link straight to the carrier's tracking page.
Chapter 13 · After delivery

Look it over, get your CoA, rate the manufacturer

Delivery isn't quite the end. You have time to look everything over, you can ask for the Certificate of Analysis, and your rating helps other brands choose.

  1. 1Look it overYour card shows the date to report anything visibly wrong: 10 business days after delivery. Need a CoA? Click Request CoA.
  2. 2They upload itThe manufacturer is notified and uploads the Certificate of Analysis. It appears on your order and in its files.
  3. 3Rate themGive 1 to 5 stars and an optional comment, then click Submit review. You can change it later with Edit.
  4. 4Their replyYour review counts toward their star rating and is marked as a verified order. They can post one public response.
Good to know
  • Report a problem is on every order card. Pick a category, such as Product quality concern, and describe it. An admin reviews it, both sides are notified, and the chat stays open.
  • Problems you find after the 10 business days can still be reported. The count skips weekends and US federal holidays.
  • Before an order ships, you can ask to cancel it from inside Report a problem with Request cancellation. Production doesn't stop on its own, and an admin reviews every request.
  • An admin proposes the cancellation terms: what the manufacturer keeps for documented costs and what you get back. You accept with Agree to these terms.
  • The CoA stays with the order, so you can open it again any time with View CoA.
Chapter 14 · Reorders

Reorder a product in a few clicks

When it's time for another run, you don't start over. A reorder copies your last request and your labels, so you only change what's different this time.

  1. 1ReorderOn a completed order, click Reorder. Your formula and label artwork come with it, so there's nothing to re-enter.
  2. 2Who sees itSend it only to the same manufacturer, or open it to all for fresh quotes. Your last deal is shown for reference.
  3. 3Adjust and sendChange or remove bottle counts, check that your labels are on file, accept the agreements again and send it.
  4. 4They re-quoteThey get Reorder request received and quote again. It waits under Reorders until you accept, then moves to My Active Orders.
Good to know
  • Reorder shows up once an order is complete, on its row under Completed and on the finished order itself.
  • Prices aren't locked in. The manufacturer re-quotes, so the price can change with quantities and current material costs.
  • Your label artwork carries over. You can replace it at the label step, and the manufacturer approves it again before printing. Shipping papers and CoAs stay with the old order.
  • A reorder is a new request, so you accept the current agreements again, with your name and title.
  • Sent it only to one manufacturer and want competing quotes too? Open to all on the card removes the limit.
Chapter 15 · Messages, files and alerts

Never miss a quote, a file or an update

Everything that happens on your deals reaches you in a few places. Here's what each one is for.

  1. 1A quote arrivesWhen a manufacturer quotes, counters, declines or accepts, you hear about it right away.
  2. 2Deal alertA full-screen alert opens and Notifications gets a red count. Review the quote → takes you straight to it.
  3. 3FilesEither side can add spec sheets, CoAs or photos to the deal's Files, up to 25 MB each. Images preview right there.
  4. 4Quick updatesOther updates slide in at the corner for 15 seconds. Click View → to open the right deal and step.
Good to know
  • Chats land under Messages and order updates under Notifications, each with its own red count. See all notifications → shows your latest 99.
  • Links in notification emails open the right deal and step, even if you have to sign in first.
  • Help in the top menu is one ongoing conversation with our team. We usually reply within a few hours.
  • My Account holds your contact info, company, default shipping address and an optional business license that only you and our team can see.
  • It also has every legal agreement, plus Request a copy of my data and Request account closure. A real person handles each request.

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