Manual quote for items that unavailable in the catalog
Currently, if a customer searches for an item that isn’t in our catalog, they hit a dead end. We’d like a way for them to manually enter the item details so our back office team can review it and provide a quote later.
One of our competitors does this really well — if an item isn’t found, they let the customer type it in manually, and then follow up by email with a quote instead of forcing an instant price.
Example: If someone searches “Canon AE-1” and it’s not in our database, the system should prompt them with an option like “Can’t find your item? Submit for manual quote.” They’d fill in basic details (model name and condition), contact info and what payout they want to receive from us. Our team then receives the request, reviews it, and responds with a manual quote.
This would prevent us from losing potential trades and ensures customers stay engaged even when their item isn’t in our database.
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Comments6
Copper Canary
Jan 28
The current functionality for custom orders is not functional. The UI in the widget is completely cryptic. We need a much richer experience to guide the customer through the process of creating a custom order. There is no indication to the user that they can create a custom order - they just get a message saying “I can’t find what I’m looking for” when they click on that they get a confusing input field to “Search category” with absolutely no explanation of what that means .. or even that they are in the process of creating a custom quote request. If they get past that, they then have to click on “I can’t find what I’m looking for” with still no indication or instruction that they are in the process of creating a custom quote request. If they click on that they then get a “product details” form that has no instructions on how to complete it, or guidance on what is happening and what will happen if they fill it out. Oh, and the form is made for devices only and in not adaptable to other types of goods.
Black Panda
Sep 24, 2025
Hi @Simon Grason 👋
Here's the high fidelity prototype for Manual Quote feature below.
Disclaimer:
As i mention before, it won’t be a 100% match with the example that you gave to us. In this prototype, customer have to select a product category in order to show the preset grading/condition group.
Prototype Links:
- Widget: [Click Here]
- Offer Settings: [Click Here]
- Offer Details: [Click Here]
Please check
- The CTA shown after a no-match search
- Step A Product Name → then Conditions Group/Grading (if available) or Manual Condition fields
- Confirmation message showing “within {:quote-days} working days”
Could you share feedback by September 26 so we can lock v1? A quick “Approved” or bullet list of changes is perfect.
Purple Quesadilla
Sep 17, 2025
I like this idea, lead capturing when products are not mapped. I think it should be built out further and automated, rather than constructing a “web form” and a email back-and-forth exchange.
Show “Can’t Find Device?” link on the bottom of the widget.
Simple form: Manufacturer, Model, Storage, Condition, Desired Payout, Email, Photos (optional).
Submit → confirmation + acknowledgment email.
Dashboard
New Manual Appraisals tab with list + filters.
Review request, match to catalog item or create manual item.
Enter quote + send email with “Accept Quote” button.
When accepted → auto-generate shipping label + email customer.
API
POST /manual-appraisals to create request.
Admin endpoints to match, quote, send email, and mark accepted.
Key Flow
Request → Review/Match → Quote Sent → Customer Accepts → Label Issued → Shipment → Finalize.
- Keeping it internalized within Reusely should be the goal. Offering the ability to request a manual quote, then match back in Reusely/Custom Quote, Automation!