Compare two quotes including freight and an early-pay discount

About this exercise

Write a prompt for plain text with exactly four lines: "Vendor A:", "Vendor A early pay:", "Vendor B:" and "Lower cost:". Each total shows quantity x unit price + freight, and the early-pay line subtracts the discount. The discount applies to the goods value only, not freight. The last line says which is lower and what it depends on; Finance decides on early payment. Under 100 words.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

• Comparing unit price only. The AI picks Vendor B for its lower price per unit. Try: Say: "Total = quantity x unit price + freight."
• Discounting freight. The AI takes 2% off the whole 50,250. Try: Say: "The discount applies to the goods value only, not freight."
• Skipping the dependency. The AI declares Vendor A the winner without noting Finance must pay early. Try: Say: "Say what the lower cost depends on and that Finance decides."
• Wrong lines. The AI writes a table or paragraph. Try: Quote the four labels.
• Markdown extras and long output. AI adds bold, headings and bullets by default, which show up as stray symbols where this is pasted. Try: Say "plain text, no bold, no headings" and cap each line, for example "each line under 15 words".

What a strong prompt includes

• Quotes the four labels
• Shows total math
• Limits the discount to goods
• Leaves payment to Finance
• Asks for plain text

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