INQUIRY LETTER

            In the business world, various letters are communicated and among them inquiry letter is a one which seeks information for future decision. Definition, forms and content of inquiry letter are described below: Generally when a buyer sends a letter to a producer or seller of a product or service to know about any product or service in detail such a letter is termed as inquiry letter.

Definition of Inquiry Letter

In broad sense, when a buyer wishes to get some information about the quantity, price, quality and availability of goods or about the terms of sale, he writes a letter to the seller known to be inquiry letter. Here you can get definition, forms and content of inquiry letter.

As Gartside said: “An inquiry letter asks information like catalogue, quotation, sample, cost of a product from a seller in a concise and clear way.”

J. H Jains quoted: “The business letter which collects valuable information of the business and therefore provides price reduction and profit earning facilities is defined as inquiry letter”

Forms of Inquiry Letter

Forms of Inquiry letter may take any of the following forms:

1.  Solicited Inquiry: An inquiry made in response to the seller’s advertisement and publicity.

2.   Unsolicited Inquiry: An inquiry made at the buyer’s own initiative.

3.   Inquiry for favor: An inquiry about some other information which may be about some special price or some favorable terms.

4.  Routine inquiry: An inquiry made by an old buyer in the usual course of business so, A letter of inquiry which asks valuable information from seller or producer should be:

·         Straightforward and courteous

·         Positive and confident in tone

·         Brief, complete and correct.

Content of Inquiry Letter / Factors to be considered for drafting an Inquiry Letter

Generally content of inquiry letter asks information regarding two things which are:

1. Price, quality, quantity and availability of a product
2. Business policy related information such as terms of credit

Keeping the above two things into consideration an inquiry letter should highlight the following matters:

1. Name: The product that is going to be purchased should be mentioned clearly in such letter.
2. Description: Information like quality, quantity, size & share, local or foreign origin and others of the inquired product should be mentioned clearly.
3. Sample: Such letter should request for sample of the inquired product
4. Price list: Such letter should ask for price list of the inquired product.
5. System of Supply: When, where, how and in what terms the product should be traded must be asked by such letter.
6. Payment system: What should be the way to pay the price should be sought by such letter.
7. Transportation: The way of shipment of the inquired product should be asked by such letter.
8. Provision for Addition or subtraction of value and quantity: Because of change in the economy or other events whether there would be any provision for plus/minus of value and quantity of inquired product must be sought by such letter.
9. Assurance: If the sales term and other conditions favor the buyer, whether he can go for bulk purchase or not and in this connection what additional benefits will be given should be inquired by such letter.

 The above matters should be mentioned properly in a systematic, brief and complete way.

Example of Inquiry Letter

BEAUTY & CO. LTD

Kuningan Street No. 2

JAKARTA

Ref : 49 / I/ 16

October 17, 2016

Unilever Indonesia

Sudirman Street Kav. 16 C

JAKARTA

Subject            : Request for Catalogue

Dear Sir or Madam,

We are interested in the ads that you create on GIRL magazine October 13, 2016 edition of CITRA cream. We need to inform you that our company is engaged in the field of beauty, our customers are teenagers.

Because we do not know in detail about CITRA cream sales, then we want you to be able to explain to us about the quality, price list, terms of payment and delivery of goods is also about the other information we need to know. We would greatly appreciate it if you could send the latest catalogue and sample of product.

We await your reply as soon as possible. For your attention thank you.

Your truly,

BEAUTY & CO. LTD

Diyah Wieny P.
Purchase Manager

Reference:

http://www.businesscommunicationarticles.com/definition-forms-and-content-of-inquiry-letter/