=6.= Every purchasing agent receives, in addition to published price lists, many special quotations on material and supplies in which he is interested. Very frequently quotations are received at a time when he is not in the market for the particular material offered, but they are nevertheless of value for possible future use, and should be carefully preserved. [Illustration: Fig. 3. Card Form for Special Quotations] One method of handling special quotations is to set aside a special file, or a drawer, or a section of the regular file, to be used exclusively for quotations. The quotations, when such a file is used, are usually filed alphabetically according to the name of the material offered. This method of filing necessitates a cross─index to locate the letters by names of firms and is not entirely satisfactory, owing to the difficulty of locating the most advantageous quotations. There may be a dozen or more letters from different firms quoting prices on the same material, and, to find which is the lowest, all must be examined. Again, a firm will make quotations on several lines in the same letter, which necessitates copying a part of the items or reorganizing the filing system. In a business receiving many such quotations, it is advisable to reserve a special file for them, but we recommend their being filed according to the names of firms. To provide an accessible record of special quotations, the use of a special form, either on cards or loose leaves, is recommended. While no form universally applicable can be devised, the several forms herein presented are very good examples of forms in use and offer some valuable points for study. Fig. 3 is a conventional form. This is a card, at the top of which is provided space for recording the name of the article or class of material. Below this is a record of all quotations received, giving date, name of the firm from whom the quotation is received, and initials of the salesman making the quotation, when made in this manner. The columns following are for quantity, or size on which the quotation is based, the list price, discount, net, whether f. o. b. or delivered, and terms. The last two columns are for a record of orders placed. One of these cards is used for each article or class of material on which special quotations are received. Every quotation is recorded, no matter from whom, and when the card is filled a new one is added. Whenever records on any one card become obsolete, the card can be destroyed, keeping the file up to date.