An inquiry that says 'best price on AA batteries, 100,000 pcs' can be answered honestly at four different prices depending on chemistry, pack format and whose brand is on the label. You will get one of those four back, and it probably will not be the one you meant.
The fix takes three extra lines: what the cells go into, where they ship, and what has to carry your brand. That is enough for a supplier to quote the thing you actually want and for you to compare two quotes fairly.
Use this checklist
- Describe the device and how hard it works the cell
- State the first order quantity and the annual volume
- Separate what you need from what would be nice
- List the documents your importer or retailer requires