Come Creare un Ordine di Acquisto (Guida)

How to Create a Purchase Order (PO Guide for Buyers)

What Is a Purchase Order?

A purchase order is a formal request to buy goods or services from a vendor.

It's sent *before* payment, and it creates a legal agreement between buyer and seller.

Key point: A PO is from the *buyer* to the *seller*. An invoice is from the *seller* to the *buyer*.

PO vs Invoice vs Quotation vs RFQ

When to Create a Purchase Order

Create a PO when:

✅ You're a large company ordering from a vendor ✅ You want a formal record ✅ You're paying after delivery ✅ You need approval/tracking

What to Include on a Purchase Order

#### 1. Buyer Information ``` Ordered by: ABC Company Contact: john@abc.com Delivery address: 123 Main St ```

#### 2. Vendor Information ``` Vendor: XYZ Supplies Inc. Vendor contact: sales@xyz.com ```

#### 3. PO Number ``` PO #: PO-2025-0847 Date: January 15, 2025 ```

#### 4. Line Items ``` | Item | Quantity | Price | Total | |---|---|---|---| | Printer ink (black) | 10 | $25 | $250 | | Paper (500 sheets) | 20 | $12 | $240 | ```

#### 5. Delivery & Payment Terms ``` Delivery date: January 30, 2025 Payment terms: Net 30 Shipping: FOB (free on board) ```

Step-by-Step: How to Create a PO

1. Identify the vendor 2. List the items 3. Calculate totals 4. Set delivery & payment terms 5. Add your authorization 6. Send to vendor

PO Best Practices

✅ Use sequential PO numbers (PO-001, PO-002, etc.) ✅ Be specific on items ("10 units of item #SKU-12345") ✅ Specify delivery location ✅ Include payment terms ✅ Keep a copy for accounting ✅ Cross-reference invoices when you receive them

[Create professional purchase orders free](/create-free-invoice) — ready to send to vendors.