How to choose a seller from request responses

Where proposal review happens

When sellers respond to your request, their proposals appear on the request detail page under the seller proposals section.

Each proposal can show the seller identity, cover letter, optional quoted price, optional delivery days, and the current proposal status.

What to compare first

Start by comparing how clearly each seller understood your request. A strong proposal usually explains the approach, timeline, and fit for the work instead of only repeating your request back to you.

If sellers provide optional price and delivery details, compare them alongside the written proposal. Do not judge only by the lowest quote if the work quality or fit looks weak.

What shortlist does

Shortlisting is the first serious review action. When you shortlist a seller proposal, IVOTIA opens a limited chat path between you and that seller.

The proposal status changes to shortlisted, a conversation is created if needed, and the seller is notified that you want to continue the conversation further.

How limited chat works after shortlist

Shortlisting does not fully unlock the relationship yet. It opens a limited chat stage so you and the seller can clarify details before final selection.

The proposal tracks remaining buyer-side limited chat messages, and the request conversation stays controlled until the full unlock step happens later.

When to select a seller

Select a seller when you are ready to move from comparison into commitment. This is the step that tells the seller they are your chosen proposal for the request.

When you select, IVOTIA changes the proposal status to selected and keeps the conversation available for the next stage.

What selection does not do yet

Selecting a seller does not by itself fully unlock chat forever. It marks the proposal as chosen and allows the seller to move into the unlock step.

The seller still needs to unlock full access from their side before the request conversation becomes fully open.

What happens after the seller unlocks full access

After you select a seller, that seller can pay the unlock fee to move the proposal into full access.

Once this happens, the proposal status becomes unlocked, the conversation is fully opened, and both sides can continue without the earlier limited-chat constraint.

IVOTIA also notifies you that the seller unlocked full chat for the request.

When to reject a proposal

Use reject when a proposal is not a fit and you do not want to continue with that seller on the request.

Rejected proposals are marked clearly in the request flow, and that seller is no longer an active choice for the request in the same way as shortlisted or selected proposals.

Important things to know

Shortlist first when you want to ask a few controlled questions.

Select only when you are ready for the seller to move toward full access.

Selection is not the same as full unlock. The seller must unlock the request from their side.

Reject proposals that are clearly not a fit so your request review stays clean and manageable.

Use the proposal details, not just the price quote, to choose the best seller response.