Chat and comments
Your client asks about the proposal, or about a single line, without leaving the link. You reply from the quote.
What it is
Each quote has two conversation spaces:
- General conversation: the CONVERSATION section at the end of the link, for questions about the whole proposal (“Can we move delivery to 15 days?”).
- Per-line comments: a thread on each line, for questions about one product (“Can you switch this to the 16 GB model?”).
Everything stays on the quote, visible to your team, without depending on personal email. For counteroffers, partial approval, and versions, see Negotiation and counteroffers.
Requirements
- Portal option: Comments and counteroffers on in Settings › Brand appearance › Client portal. It’s on by default; if you turn it off, the link shows neither the conversation nor the comment buttons.
- Permission to reply: Quotes.
- Status: the client can write while the quote isn’t approved or rejected.
- Plan: all. Seeing new messages live from Cord requires Pro or higher.
On the client’s side
- General conversation: they type in “Write a message or proposal…” and send.
- Comment on a line: they click the comment button next to the product name (it shows that line’s message count), type in “Comment on this line…”, and click Send.
Each bubble carries its author next to the time: You for the client’s messages and your business name for your replies. Your replies reach the client’s link live, without reloading, in the general conversation and on each line.
On your team’s side
On the quote detail:
- Conversation shows the general thread. Reply in “Reply to the client (shows on their link)…”.
- Each line has its comment button; opening it shows Comments on this line and you reply in “Reply about this line…”.
- Bubbles say You for your team and the client’s name for theirs.
Your replies appear on the client’s link; they aren’t emailed to them.
How you find out about a message
Cord doesn’t send email, Slack, or Teams for every client message or comment.
- Pro, Scale, and Developer: with the detail open, messages arrive live and New appears in Conversation.
- Free and Starter: reload the detail to see new messages.
- The bell on the top bar lists your organization’s 15 most recent activities, including “New message from your client” and “Counteroffer from your client”, with the quote number and client.
- Any plan: create a workflow with the A message is posted on a quote trigger to get the alert wherever you want (team email, Slack, Teams). The same event reaches your webhooks.
Behavior and edge cases
- Messages up to 800 characters.
- On approval or rejection, the link stops showing the message field and the comment buttons; the history is kept on the quote.
- The conversation doesn’t change the quote. A message doesn’t change prices or status. To change the proposal use Modify and resend.
- The side menu doesn’t count messages. The number next to Quotes counts sent or viewed quotes still waiting for a decision, not messages.
Limits by plan
| Free | Starter | Pro | Scale | Developer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conversation and per-line comments | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Live messages on the detail | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Common problems
The client doesn’t see where to write. Comments and counteroffers is off, or the quote was already approved or rejected.
I missed a message. Messages don’t trigger alerts. Create a workflow with A message is posted on a quote.
I can’t reply. Your role doesn’t have the Quotes permission.