Should I always choose the cheapest supplier?

Not necessarily. Consider total cost including delivery, minimum orders, payment terms, reliability, product quality and customer service. A slightly more expensive supplier with free delivery, no minimum order and next-day delivery may actually save you money and hassle compared to a cheaper supplier with high minimums and unreliable delivery.

How do delivery costs affect the real price?

Delivery costs can significantly change the per-unit price, especially for small orders. A £5 delivery charge on a 5-unit order adds £1 per unit. The same charge on a 20-unit order adds only £0.25 per unit. Always calculate the total cost including delivery divided by the number of units to get the true per-unit cost.

What should I consider besides price?

Key factors beyond price: delivery lead time (affects stock management), minimum order values (affects cash flow), return policy (for damaged goods), credit terms (net 30 vs upfront payment), product range (one-stop vs multiple suppliers), loyalty discounts, and the reliability and consistency of supply.

Should I use one supplier or multiple?

Using one main supplier can give better bulk pricing and simpler ordering, but puts you at risk if they have stock issues. Using 2-3 suppliers gives backup options and competitive pricing. Many salons have a primary supplier for 80% of stock and a secondary supplier for speciality items or backup.

CutCalcs

Supplier Calculator — Price Comparison

Compare supplier pricing including delivery costs and minimum order values.

Supplier A — Unit Cost

Supplier B — Unit Cost

Supplier A — Delivery

Supplier B — Delivery

Supplier A — Min Order

Supplier B — Min Order

Your Order Quantity

How many units you want

How We Calculate This

This calculator compares two suppliers side-by-side, accounting for unit cost, delivery charges and minimum order requirements to show the true per-unit cost and total order cost.

The formula

Total cost = (Max of order qty or minimum) x Unit cost + Delivery

Per unit cost = Total cost / Quantity ordered

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Always perform a strand test before chemical services.