Request for quote (RFQ)
Also called request for quotation
Reviewed by Dasha ShakovVP Marketing, Proton
Updated
What is request for quote (RFQ)?
A request for quote (RFQ) is a customer’s request for prices and availability on a specific list of items and quantities. In distribution, RFQs arrive by email, PDF, spreadsheet, phone and portal, and the distributor answers each one with a quote.
How it works
An RFQ is narrower than an RFP: the buyer already knows what it wants and is comparing price, availability and lead time. Buyers often send the same RFQ to several distributors, so speed and accuracy decide who wins.
Request for quote (RFQ) example
A mechanical contractor emails a 60-line RFQ for a building’s plumbing package with prices due Friday. The inside rep matches each line to a SKU, checks stock and lead times, and replies on Thursday.
Further reading
Related terms
- QuoteA quote is a distributor’s written offer to sell specific items, in specific quantities, at stated prices, with availability, lead time and an expiry date.
- Request for proposal (RFP)A request for proposal (RFP) is a formal document in which a buyer describes a need and invites suppliers to propose how they would meet it.
- Purchase order (PO)A purchase order (PO) is a buyer’s document ordering specific items, in specific quantities and at stated prices, from a supplier.
- Cross-referenceA cross-reference is a lookup table that links a distributor’s SKUs to other numbers for the same or an equivalent item.
