Buyer User Guide: Searching on the Purchasing marketplace
Searching on the Purchasing marketplace
There are three search methods available on Purchasing (formerly Advanced Marketplace).
Search Bar
The main recommended search method, allowing an end user to input key words, a catalogue number or manufacturer part number, including specific search dropdowns for the latter two.
Browse By Supplier
Alternative search method, allowing you to start a search by picking a suppler. A useful “browsing” tool, or if you cannot remember specific details of the item you are looking for.
Browse By Category
Alternative search method, allowing an end user to start a search by a category. Please note that not all suppliers have categorised data, and you could exclude a great deal of products by selecting a specific category. Therefore, using the basic search function will yield better results.
- From the Purchasing homepage, input the keywords of the item you are looking for and click on the Search button
- The search shows results in order of relevance. In the first instance, the search will return product matches with the option to see related matches if less than 10,000 product matches are returned. If no product matches are found, then the search will return related matches.
Products are matched principally on:
- Description
- Categories and Category Attributes
- Alias Fields
- Supplier Name
- Manufacturer Name Field
OR Exact term matches the Catalogue Number
OR Exact term matches the Manufacturer Part Number
OR Exact term matches the CAS Number (Chemical Abstracts Service) if used
- Use the functionality outlined in this guide to filter, sort and compare your results to find the product(s) you wish to purchase. Add the item(s) to your basket from either the Search results page or from the individual product's page, remembering to take into account any minimum ordering quantities and delivery charges that may apply.
Sorting the Search results
Once search results are returned, you can choose to sort the results to help you find the product(s) you are looking to purchase.
Using the Sort By dropdown, you can choose to sort, ascending or descending, by:
- Price
- Product name
- Supplier name
- Catalogue number
- Manufacturer part number
Refining Results
You can further filter the results by choosing from the below list of refinements (available on the left hand side of the search results page). Using one of these options would apply the filter to the entire results set, even if there are more than 10,000 results to the search:
- Preferred status: removes any items which do not have status of preferred set to them
- With Image: Items without an image are filtered out
- Contracted: Removes any items which are not assigned to a local contract or framework
- Non Contracted: Removes any items which are assigned to a local contract or framework
- Hide POA prices: Items with a price of POA (price on application) can be filtered out if present
- Refine or exclude products by keyword: multiple words can be included or excluded as required
- Price (By typing a max / min price, or using the slider bar)
- Category
- Supplier
- Pack Size
Example screenshot showing where a filter has been applied in the search results. The Applied Filters box shows the type of filter(s) that have been used. In this case, a price range of £20 - £26 was used:
Remember, if you are unable to find the items you are looking for:
- Refine your search term further by using the available filters to produce better results
- The more search terms you include to describe the item you are looking for, the more relevant your results will be
- The search results will prioritise results in terms of:
- Items will contain all the entered search terms, followed by
- Items which contain ANY of the search terms
Comparing Items
You are able to directly compare up to four items at any one time. They can be added from the search results page by ticking Compare, or from within the product information itself:
When items are selected for comparison, they are added to a “holding area” at the top of the search results page. You can then remove items or add any others before comparing your final list:
The comparison table presents the available data for each product in tabular view, making like-for-like comparison easy.
- Items can be added to your basket from here
- Any applicable delivery charges can be viewed from here
- You can navigate into the individual products themselves for additional information if required
When the comparison is complete, the marketplace retains your comparison until you choose to clear them in case you wish to purchase multiple items from the list, or if you navigate away from the screen by accident.
Pricing
Pricing is displayed against each product on the search results page. If you want to see a total price where multiple products are potentially being purchased, the price displayed is automatically updated as the quantities are amended.
The unit price and quantity are shown so that you can take advantage of any volume-based discounts and price breaks (if applicable). In regards to the latter, if they apply to a product, there will be an icon underneath the unit price (shown below). You can hover over this to review the full price break information.
Minimum order quantities, as well pack sizes, are also displayed in this area of the screen:
Delivery charges
Some suppliers may charge delivery. If so, there may be a requirement to add a delivery charge. Doing so will mean that your order is processed more swiftly, as there is less chance of order queries coming back to you.
Viewing Delivery Charges
There are several places you can review delivery charges:
- Search Results
Where delivery charges are NOT applicable, you will see the following in the search results:
Where delivery charges ARE applicable, you will see the following link instead:
You can click to expand the delivery charge information, which will display the relevant charges (you can add them to your basket from here too if needed).
- Product Information Pages
- Comparing Results
- Your Basket
Delivery Charge Prompt
At checkout, if purchasing products from a supplier that charges delivery, you will be prompted to review charges (this prompt will not appear for any suppliers who do not charge delivery).
Choose the correct delivery for each supplier, or opt for “no thanks” if none of the delivery charges apply. You will then be able to check out and continue through your finance system. The delivery charge will have been added as a line item.
