Where your quantity sits against the 1/5/10/25/50/100/250/500/1000/2500/5000/10000 break points (just under a break is the expensive place to be)
Base unit cost, which swings with memory size, battery capacity, and chipset
Decoration method such as pad print, laser engrave, or full color
Quantity and overseas vs domestic production
Check before signing
A free sample or setup that reappears as a per-unit charge
Decoration billed per color or per location without disclosure
A low unit price offset by inflated freight
Minimum order quantities padded above what you need
Negotiation levers
Move to the next price break if you will use the quantity
Standardize one decoration method across items
Allow longer lead time to use ocean freight
About notepads 8.5" x 11" pricing
Priced per unit with quantity breaks. Vendors quote steps at 1 / 5 / 10 / 25 / 50 / 100 / 250 / 500 / 1000 / 2500 / 5000 / 10000 units, and the per-unit rate drops at each break.
Why are quotes for the same power bank so different?
Vendors source from the same overseas catalogs but mark up the base unit, the decoration, and the freight separately. Ask for the catalog item number and quote the same decoration to compare fairly.
Is a setup charge for branding normal?
Yes, but it should be one time per logo and per method, not repeated per color or on a reorder of the same art.