Three suppliers can all quote “reishi extract” while offering three different purchasing objects: a fruiting-body water extract, a formulated extract powder containing a carrier, and a milled mycelial material. A spreadsheet can place their prices in one column, but the arithmetic does not make the materials equivalent. Supplier comparison should first create a comparable shortlist. Alternatives can remain in the project, provided their differences are visible and assessed separately. This preserves potentially useful options without allowing a lower price or higher percentage to erase a material mismatch.