IT’S possible and but not literally difficult to do. One approach is to ask a supplier to itemize its price quotation. Of course, it depends much on the kind of supplier you have. If you’re dealing with multiple suppliers offering the same purported, theoretical quality, cost and delivery schedule, then you as a customer has the upper hand. You’re in a buyer’s market. However, if you’re buying from a monopoly, chances are, it will not give you a breakdown. You’re a captured market, anyway. You’re a slave. No choice. Nada. Zilch.
Therefore, the gun is in your head. So what’s the best approach? No, don’t cry out loud. At least, not yet. But try to ask the breakdown of the cost just the same. If you don’t ask, the answer is always “no.” Therefore, the best way is to do the Aladdin Approach and define your three requests using Charles Dominick “emotional” script-requests, which I have revised to localize and express a diplomatic tact: