The prompt
Score 10 of 10, Excellent
Use it when You have freight quotes from several carriers or forwarders and want to compare what each will really cost delivered, not just the headline rate.
- {{decision_maker}}
- {{shipment}}
- {{deadline}}
- {{goods_value}}
- {{duties}}
- {{exchange_rates}}
- {{quotes}}
- {{unit}}
Full prompt and why it works
Prompt
Compare the freight quotes below on total landed cost, for {{decision_maker}} to choose a carrier or forwarder for this shipment, so that the choice rests on what the shipment will really cost delivered, and how reliably it will arrive, rather than on the headline rate. The shipment (origin, destination, mode, weight, volume, packages, Incoterms rule): {{shipment}} Delivery needed by: {{deadline}} Value of the goods, for insurance: {{goods_value}} Duties and taxes as estimated by our customs broker, if known: {{duties}} Exchange rates to use, if quotes are in different currencies: {{exchange_rates}} The quotes, pasted in full with their terms: """ {{quotes}} """ Produce: 1. A cost table with one column per quote and these rows: base freight, fuel surcharge, other surcharges (peak season, security, currency), origin charges (pickup, export clearance, terminal handling), destination charges (terminal handling, import clearance, delivery), insurance, duties and taxes, accessorials named in the quotes (liftgate, waiting time, storage), total landed cost, and cost per {{unit}}. 2. A service table with the rows: transit time door to door, routing and transshipments, cutoff and free time, carrier liability limit, quote validity, and anything excluded. 3. A ranking by total landed cost, with a note for each on the risk to the delivery date. 4. A recommendation of two or three sentences that weighs cost against the deadline, and the questions to put to each provider before booking. Mark every cell as an amount, "included", "not quoted" or "excluded", because a charge that is not quoted is a cost that turns up later, not zero. For example: "Destination terminal handling: not quoted (ask before booking)". That example shows the form only. Show the arithmetic for each total. Convert currencies only with the rates given. Do not invent a charge, estimate duties yourself or assume a quote includes something it does not mention. Keep the written part under 400 words, not counting the tables. A good comparison lets the reader see in a minute which quote is cheapest delivered and which is safest for the date. If the quotes are for different services (one door to door and one port to port, say) or are based on different weights or volumes, say so at the top and adjust only where the quotes give the figures to do it; otherwise mark the comparison as not like for like and list what to ask. If a quote has expired, or expires before the booking date, flag it.
Variables
- {{decision_maker}}
- Who picks the provider, for example "the logistics manager".
- {{shipment}}
- Origin, destination, mode, weight, volume, number of packages and the Incoterms rule.
- {{deadline}}
- When the goods must arrive, and whether the date is firm.
- {{goods_value}}
- The value of the goods for insurance, with currency.
- {{duties}}
- Duties and taxes as your customs broker estimated them, or "not known".
- {{exchange_rates}}
- The rates to convert currencies with, or "all quotes in one currency".
- {{quotes}}
- Each quote in full, labeled with the provider, including terms, exclusions and validity.
- {{unit}}
- The unit for cost per unit, for example "carton" or "kilogram". Write "none" to leave the row out.
Why it works
- What good looks like. Every cell is an amount, included, not quoted or excluded, because an unquoted charge is where a cheap rate turns expensive.
- What to avoid. Duties come only from your broker and currencies only from your rates, so the totals are yours, not the model's estimates.
- If unsure. Quotes for different services or weights are flagged as not like for like, with the questions to ask, instead of being forced into one ranking.