THE PRICE-HOLD ASK — two questions before you bid off his number

Say it plain, on the phone or at the counter:

  "Before I bid this - how long is this price good for?"

  "And if it moves before I take delivery, what happens to
   my price? Do I pay the new one, or does this quote hold?"

Then write it down, on the quote, while he is talking.

  Supplier / branch: _______________  Rep: ________________
  Quote date: ____________  Quote or reference #: _________
  Products quoted: ______________________________________

  1. Good through (date he said): ________________________
  2. If it moves before delivery: ________________________
     ____________________________________________________
  3. What he needs from me to hold it (deposit? PO? order
     by a date?): ________________________________________
  4. Who told me, and when: ______________ on ____________

  Our price to her is good for ______ days. On the page? [ ]

His answer is his company's terms, not a rule of the trade.
Get it in writing and read your account paperwork.