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Multi-Supplier Pricing

5 min read

Published April 13, 2026

Understanding the SupplierItem Link

Fixmo uses a SupplierItem junction to connect inventory items with their suppliers. This many-to-many relationship means a single item can be sourced from multiple suppliers, and each supplier can supply many different items. For variable products, supplier links are established per variation, each variation can have its own set of suppliers with independent pricing.

  • Each link stores supplier-specific data: cost price, supplier SKU, lead time, and preferred status.
  • The same item can have different costs and SKUs from different suppliers.
  • For variable products, each variation has its own supplier links, you can source different variations from different suppliers with independent cost pricing and lead times.
  • Links are managed from both the item edit page and the supplier detail page.
  • The preferred supplier flag helps you quickly identify your go-to source for each item or variation.

Linking an Item to Multiple Suppliers

Set up multiple supplier links to capture all the sourcing options for an item. This is especially useful for high-volume items where price shopping can save significant money.

  1. Open the item's edit page.
  2. Navigate to the Suppliers tab.
  3. Click 'Add Supplier' to create a new link.
  4. Select the supplier from the dropdown.
  5. Enter the Supplier Cost, what this supplier charges for the item.
  6. Enter the Supplier SKU, the supplier's own part number or reference code.
  7. Enter the Lead Time in days, how long delivery typically takes from this supplier.
  8. Click Save to create the link.
  9. Repeat for each additional supplier.

Comparing Costs Between Suppliers

When multiple suppliers are linked to an item, the Suppliers tab on the item edit page serves as a comparison table. Use it to evaluate your options before placing a purchase order.

  • The table shows each supplier's cost price side by side.
  • Lead times are displayed to help you balance cost against delivery speed.
  • The preferred supplier is highlighted for quick reference.
  • Supplier SKUs are shown so you can reference the correct part number when ordering.

Tip

The cheapest supplier is not always the best choice. Consider lead time, reliability, and minimum order quantities alongside cost when selecting a supplier for reordering.

Supplier-Specific SKUs & Part Numbers

Different suppliers often use different part numbers for the same item. The Supplier SKU field in the SupplierItem link lets you store each supplier's reference so you can order using their terminology.

  • Each supplier-item link has its own Supplier SKU field.
  • This is separate from the item's internal SKU used within Fixmo.
  • When creating a purchase order, the supplier's SKU can be included on the order for clear communication.
  • Storing supplier SKUs eliminates confusion when placing orders with different vendors.

Lead Times & Delivery Planning

The lead time field records how many days a supplier typically takes to deliver an item after an order is placed. This information helps you plan reorders and set realistic expected delivery dates on purchase orders.

  • Lead time is recorded in days per supplier-item link.
  • Different suppliers may have vastly different lead times for the same item.
  • Use lead times to decide when to place orders, especially for items with minimum stock alerts.
  • When creating a PO, the expected delivery date can be set based on the supplier's typical lead time.

Choosing the Best Supplier for Reordering

When it is time to reorder, use the multi-supplier data to make an informed decision. The combination of cost, lead time, and preferred status gives you everything you need.

  1. Open the item that needs reordering.
  2. Go to the Suppliers tab to review all linked suppliers.
  3. Compare cost prices to find the most economical option.
  4. Check lead times, if you need the item urgently, a faster supplier may be worth a higher cost.
  5. Note the preferred supplier flag, this is your historically best option.
  6. Create a purchase order for the chosen supplier with the correct supplier-specific cost and SKU.

Note

Over time, track which suppliers consistently deliver on time and at the quoted price. Update preferred supplier status and lead times based on actual performance.

Frequently asked questions

Each SupplierItem record stores the supplier's cost price for that item, the supplier's own SKU or part number, the typical lead time in days, and whether this supplier is the preferred source. This allows you to compare suppliers at a glance.

When you add an item to a purchase order, Fixmo defaults to the cost price from the SupplierItem record for that specific supplier. If no supplier-item link exists, it falls back to the item's standard cost price.

Yes. On the item's edit page, the Suppliers tab lists every linked supplier with their cost price, SKU, lead time, and preferred status. This is your comparison view for making sourcing decisions.

Yes. For variable products, supplier links are set per variation. Each variation can have its own suppliers with independent cost prices, SKUs, and lead times. For example, the Blue variant of a phone case might come from Supplier A, while the Red variant comes from Supplier B, each at different costs.