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inbound/PRICELIST_BUILDER_ASSESSMENT.md

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+# Pricelist Builder Assessment
+
+This assessment asks whether a new customer can realistically build a usable pricelist from scratch for Stage 1 SaaS.
+
+## Current State
+
+Pricelist is production mapped and has:
+
+- master pricelist items
+- price lists and customer pricing rules
+- item overrides and category rules
+- Excel/CSV import/export
+- import batches and rollback
+- supplier/procurement foundation fields
+- quote integration through quote-specific pricelist items
+
+## Assessment
+
+| Area | Current support | Stage 1 gap |
+|---|---|---|
+| Manual entry | Exists | Needs guided "minimum viable item" flow |
+| Import tools | Exists | Needs customer-safe template and validation guide |
+| Supplier support | Improving | Not necessary for first quote |
+| Price levels | Exists | Needs default starter tiers explained |
+| Units of measure | Exists in data model/import | Needs controlled list and examples |
+| GST handling | Quote/invoice line support exists | Needs default GST behavior for new items |
+| Quote integration | Exists | Must be tested with starter items |
+| Starter templates | Not clearly present | Needed for first customer |
+| Rollback | Exists for imports | Needs customer-facing explanation |
+
+## Minimum Viable Pricelist Setup
+
+For first customer, do not ask them to model their entire shop.
+
+Required starter fields:
+
+- item code
+- description
+- category
+- unit
+- sell price ex GST
+- GST rate
+- active/inactive
+
+Optional later:
+
+- supplier
+- supplier SKU
+- cost price
+- markup
+- stock link
+- price tier rules
+- customer-specific overrides
+
+## Recommended Starter Packs
+
+1. Basic cabinetry quoting pack: labour, delivery, install, hardware allowance, custom item.
+2. Flat pack pack: carcass, doors, panels, edging, hardware, delivery.
+3. Trade/customer tier pack: retail, builder, trade.
+
+## Better Guided Builder
+
+The guided builder should have three paths:
+
+| Path | Best for | Flow |
+|---|---|---|
+| Start simple | New customer wants to quote today | Add 10 core services/items |
+| Import CSV | Customer has spreadsheet/pricelist | Upload -> preview -> fix required fields -> import |
+| Do It For You | Customer sends spreadsheet | BoundHQ cleans/imports/validates |
+
+## Do It For You Recommendation
+
+For first paying customer, BoundHQ should offer DIFM pricelist setup. It reduces churn risk and avoids spending pre-revenue time on a perfect self-serve builder.
+
+## Readiness Verdict
+
+The pricelist engine is likely strong enough for Stage 1 product use, but the customer setup experience is not. Stage 1 should use starter packs plus DIFM import, with self-serve builder improvements later.