Quote vs. Offer — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 3, 2024
A quote represents a fixed price for goods or services given by a seller, valid for a specific period, while an offer is a proposal by a seller or buyer that isn't fixed until accepted.
Difference Between Quote and Offer
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Key Differences
A quote is a formal statement issued by a seller, detailing the price and terms for a specific quantity of goods or services. This price is usually non-negotiable and has a validity period during which the terms remain unchanged. On the other hand, an offer is more flexible and can be initiated by either the buyer or the seller. It outlines the terms of a potential transaction, including price, but remains open to negotiation until it is formally accepted by the other party.
While quotes provide a clear, often binding, price that the seller commits to for a service or product, offers allow for back-and-forth negotiation. For example, a contractor might give a quote for a job that specifies the total cost and timeline, whereas an offer might include a proposed price for a house that the buyer can then accept, reject, or counter.
The binding nature of quotes means that once accepted by the customer, the seller is obligated to adhere to the terms provided, including the price, scope of work, and timeline. In contrast, offers become binding only after acceptance and can be withdrawn or modified before acceptance, giving both parties greater flexibility.
Quotes are common in industries where prices are standardized or where services are tailored to specific customer needs, such as construction or consultancy services. Offers are more prevalent in transactions involving goods with variable prices, such as real estate, collectibles, or commodities.
In terms of legal standing, a quote can serve as a contract once accepted, especially if it includes a detailed scope of work and associated terms. An offer, followed by acceptance, forms the basis of a contract, signifying mutual agreement on the terms of the transaction.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A fixed price for specific goods or services
A proposal to buy or sell at a specified or negotiable price
Initiator
Seller
Seller or Buyer
Binding Nature
Binding once accepted, with conditions
Not binding until accepted
Flexibility
Fixed, non-negotiable price
Price and terms are negotiable
Validity
Has a specified validity period
Can be withdrawn or modified before acceptance
Compare with Definitions
Quote
A written or verbal indication of price.
The insurance agent offered a quote for the policy over the phone.
Offer
An indication of willingness to enter into a contract on certain terms.
The seller sent an offer with flexible payment options.
Quote
A statement of price for specific goods or services, given on request.
The contractor provided a quote for the renovation work totaling $5,000.
Offer
A proposition made that can be negotiated.
The offer for the antique vase was open for negotiation due to its rarity.
Quote
An estimate of cost provided by a seller.
For the custom furniture, the craftsman sent a detailed quote including materials and labor.
Offer
An expression of intent to sell or buy.
The investor's offer to purchase shares in the company was contingent on the audit results.
Quote
A fixed price statement for services.
The design company's quote covered all requested services without additional fees.
Offer
A proposal to buy or sell something at a specific price.
The buyer made an offer on the house well below the asking price.
Quote
A non-negotiable price offer for a job.
The quote for the landscaping project was valid for thirty days.
Offer
A bid or proposal in a business context.
After reviewing the bids, the committee accepted the most competitive offer.
Quote
Repeat or copy out (words from a text or speech written or spoken by another person)
He quoted from the scriptures
I realized she was quoting passages from Shakespeare
Offer
To present for acceptance or rejection; proffer
Offered me a drink.
Quote
Give someone (the estimated price of a job or service)
A garage quoted him £30
Offer
To put forward for consideration; propose
Offer an opinion.
Quote
Give (a company) a quotation or listing on a stock exchange
A British conglomerate quoted on the London Stock Exchange
Offer
To present in order to meet a need or satisfy a requirement
Offered new statistics in order to facilitate the decision-making process.
Quote
A quotation from a text or speech
A quote from Wordsworth
Offer
To present as an act of worship
Offer a prayer.
Quote
A quotation giving the estimated cost for a particular job or service
Quotes from different insurance companies
Offer
To propose as payment; bid
Offered only half what I was asking for the car.
Quote
A quotation or listing of a company on a stock exchange.
Offer
To make available; afford
The situation offers us the opportunity to learn more.
Quote
Quotation marks
Use double quotes around precise phrases you wish to search for
Offer
To present for sale
Those boots are being offered at half price.
Quote
To repeat or copy (words from a source such as a book), usually with acknowledgment of the source
Quoted lines from Shakespeare in his lecture.
Offer
To provide; furnish
A hotel that offers conference facilities.
Quote
To repeat or copy the words of (a person or a book or other source)
Likes to quote Shakespeare when giving advice.
Offer
To exhibit readiness or desire (to do something); volunteer
Offered to carry the packages.
Quote
To cite or refer to for illustration or proof
Quoted statistics to show she was right.
Offer
To engage in; put up
Partisans who offered strong resistance to the invaders.
Quote
To repeat a brief passage or excerpt from
The saxophonist quoted a Duke Ellington melody in his solo.
Offer
To threaten
Offered to leave without them if they didn't hurry.
Quote
To state (a price) for securities, goods, or services.
Offer
To produce or introduce on the stage
The repertory group is offering two new plays this season.
Quote
To give a quotation, as from a book.
Offer
To present an offering in worship or devotion.
Quote
A quotation.
Offer
To make an offer or proposal, especially of marriage.
Quote
A quotation mark.
Offer
To present itself
"This plan was dropped, because of its risk, and because a better offered" (T.E. Lawrence).
Quote
Used by a speaker to indicate the beginning of a direct quotation
"He paused and said, quote, I don't care, unquote.".
Offer
(Baseball) To swing at a pitch. Used of a batter.
Quote
A dictum; a saying.
Offer
The act of offering
An offer of assistance.
Quote
A quotation; a statement attributed to a person.
Offer
Something, such as a suggestion, proposal, bid, or recommendation, that is offered
Did you accept his offer for the car?.
Quote
A quotation mark.
Offer
(Law) A proposal that if accepted constitutes a legally binding contract.
Quote
A summary of work to be done with a set price.
After going over the hefty quotes, the board decided it was cheaper to have the project executed by its own staff.
Offer
The condition of being offered, especially for sale
Thousands of bushels of wheat on offer.
Quote
A price set for a financial security or commodity.
Offer
A proposal that has been made.
What's in his offer?
I decline your offer to contract.
Quote
(transitive) To repeat (the exact words of a person).
The writer quoted the president's speech.
Offer
Something put forth, bid, proffered or tendered.
His offer was $3.50 per share.
Quote
(transitive) To prepare a summary of work to be done and set a price.
Offer
(legal) An invitation to enter into a binding contract communicated to another party which contains terms sufficiently definite to create an enforceable contract if the other party accepts the invitation.
His first letter was not a real offer, but an attempt to determine interest.
Quote
To name the current price, notably of a financial security.
Offer
(used in combinations from phrasal verbs) agent noun of off
Quote
(intransitive) To indicate verbally or by equivalent means the start of a quotation.
Offer
(intransitive) To propose or express one's willingness (to do something).
She offered to help with her homework.
Quote
(archaic) To observe, to take account of.
Offer
(transitive) To present in words; to proffer; to make a proposal of; to suggest.
Everybody offered an opinion.
Quote
To cite, as a passage from some author; to name, repeat, or adduce, as a passage from an author or speaker, by way of authority or illustration; as, to quote a passage from Homer.
Offer
(transitive) To place at someone’s disposal; to present (something) to be either accepted or turned down.
He offered use of his car for the week.
He offered his good will for the Councilman's vote.
Quote
To cite a passage from; to name as the authority for a statement or an opinion; as, to quote Shakespeare.
Offer
(transitive) To present (something) to God or gods as a gesture of worship, or for a sacrifice.
Quote
To name the current price of.
Offer
To place (something) in a position where it can be added to an existing mechanical assembly.
Quote
To notice; to observe; to examine.
Offer
(transitive) To bid, as a price, reward, or wages.
I offered twenty dollars for it. The company is offering a salary of £30,000 a year.
Quote
To set down, as in writing.
Offer
(intransitive) To happen, to present itself.
Quote
A note upon an author.
Offer
(obsolete) To make an attempt; typically used with at.
Quote
A punctuation mark used to attribute the enclosed text to someone else
Offer
(transitive) To put in opposition to; to manifest in an offensive or defensive way; to threaten.
To offer violence to somebody
The peasants offered no resistance as they were rounded up.
Quote
A passage or expression that is quoted or cited
Offer
To present, as an act of worship; to immolate; to sacrifice; to present in prayer or devotion; - often with up.
Thou shalt offer every day a bullock for a sin offering for atonement.
A holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices.
Quote
Repeat a passage from;
He quoted the Bible to her
Offer
To bring to or before; to hold out to; to present for acceptance or rejection; as, to offer a present, or a bribe; to offer one's self in marriage.
I offer thee three things.
Quote
Name the price of;
Quote prices for cars
Offer
To present in words; to proffer; to make a proposal of; to suggest; as, to offer an opinion. With the infinitive as an objective: To make an offer; to declare one's willingness; as, he offered to help me.
Quote
Refer to for illustration or proof;
He said he could quote several instances of this behavior
Offer
To attempt; to undertake.
All that offer to defend him.
Quote
Put quote marks around;
Here the author is quoting his colleague
Offer
To bid, as a price, reward, or wages; as, to offer a guinea for a ring; to offer a salary or reward.
Offer
To put in opposition to; to manifest in an offensive way; to threaten; as, to offer violence, attack, etc.
Offer
To present itself; to be at hand.
The occasion offers, and the youth complies.
Offer
To make an attempt; to make an essay or a trial; - used with at.
He would be offering at the shepherd's voice.
I will not offer at that I can not master.
Offer
The act of offering, bringing forward, proposing, or bidding; a proffer; a first advance.
Offer
That which is offered or brought forward; a proposal to be accepted or rejected; a sum offered; a bid.
When offers are disdained, and love denied.
Offer
Attempt; endeavor; essay; as, he made an offer to catch the ball.
Offer
The verbal act of offering;
A generous offer of assistance
Offer
Something offered (as a proposal or bid);
Noteworthy new offerings for investors included several index funds
Offer
A usually brief attempt;
He took a crack at it
I gave it a whirl
Offer
Make available or accessible, provide or furnish;
The conference center offers a health spa
The hotel offers private meeting rooms
Offer
Present for acceptance or rejection;
She offered us all a cold drink
Offer
Agree freely;
She volunteered to drive the old lady home
I offered to help with the dishes but the hostess would not hear of it
Offer
Put forward for consideration;
He offered his opinion
Offer
Offer verbally;
Extend my greetings
He offered his sympathy
Offer
Make available for sale;
The stores are offering specials on sweaters this week
Offer
Propose a payment;
The Swiss dealer offered $2 million for the painting
Offer
Produce or introduce on the stage;
The Shakespeare Company is offering `King Lear' this month
Offer
Present as an act of worship;
Offer prayers to the gods
Offer
Mount or put up;
Put up a good fight
Offer resistance
Offer
Make available; provide;
Extend a loan
The bank offers a good deal on new mortgages
Offer
Ask (someone) to marry you;
He popped the question on Sunday night
She proposed marriage to the man she had known for only two months
The old bachelor finally declared himself to the young woman
Offer
Threaten to do something;
I offered to leave the committee if they did not accept my proposal
Common Curiosities
Is a quote legally binding?
A quote can become legally binding if accepted by the customer, especially if it includes detailed terms of the transaction.
Can an offer be withdrawn?
Yes, an offer can be withdrawn or modified any time before it is accepted.
Are quotes common in all industries?
Quotes are more common in industries with customized services or where the cost needs to be estimated, such as construction.
What role does negotiation play in offers?
Negotiation is a key aspect of offers, allowing both parties to discuss and adjust the terms until mutual agreement is reached.
Can a quote be changed once issued?
Typically, a quote cannot be changed once issued unless it expires or both parties agree to modify the terms.
How do businesses decide whether to give a quote or an offer?
Businesses may choose based on the transaction type, industry standards, and whether pricing can be standardized or needs negotiation.
Why might a buyer prefer an offer over a quote?
Buyers may prefer offers for the flexibility to negotiate terms, especially in markets where prices are variable.
What differentiates a quote from an offer?
A quote specifies a fixed price for services or goods, while an offer is a negotiable proposal that can be adjusted.
How long is a quote valid?
Quotes typically have a validity period specified by the issuer, during which the terms remain unchanged.
Who can initiate an offer?
Either the buyer or the seller can initiate an offer, unlike a quote, which is typically issued by the seller.
What happens if a quote is accepted after its validity period?
If a quote is accepted after its validity period, it may not be binding, and the seller can revise the terms.
What legal effect does accepting an offer have?
Accepting an offer creates a contract, binding both parties to the terms agreed upon.
What information is included in a quote?
A quote typically includes the price, scope of work, materials needed, and validity period.
Is it possible to negotiate a quote?
Generally, quotes are fixed and not open to negotiation, though exceptions may occur based on the relationship or project scope.
How can misunderstandings in quotes and offers be avoided?
Clear communication, detailed documentation, and understanding of terms can help avoid misunderstandings in both quotes and offers.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
