Inquiry Letter

A letter of inquiry is on off the most important types of business letters.When a buyer wishes to get some information about the quantity,price,location etc.od goods to be bought or about the termd of sale,payment etc he written a letter of inquiry to the seller. 

Accrding to Morris philip said: The letter the seeks information concetning the goods & servives from a business is called an inquiry letter

 Types of Inquiries 

There are 4 types of inquiry letter,solicited,unsolicited,routine & inquiry for some favour. These are discussed below: 

1)      Solicited Inqyiry:An inquiry made in response to the sellers advertisement & publicity is called a solicited inquiry.Actually it is a response by the buyer to the advertisement or publicity of a seller.

2)      unsolicited Inquiry:An  inquiry made at the buyers own initiative ia called unsokicitwd inquiry.This tyeps of inquiry is made when a buyer wants to know anything from thr seller.

3)      Routine Inquiry:An inquiry made by an old or regular buyer in the regular course of action is called routine inquiry.Most of the business inquiry fall in this category. 

4)      Inquiry for some favor:An inquiry made not about goods but some other information like special price/ favorable terms is called inquiry for some favor. 

            So,we  find the different types of inquiry

 Causes of writing inquiry letter 

Inquiry letter is written in order to carry out one of the following objectives:

1)      To get price quotation of specific commodities.

2)      To ask for catalog.

3)      To know the payment system.

4)      To know the past records of job applicant.

5)      To ask for folders.

6)      To know the financial strength of a firm/ a person.

7)      To know the business reputation of a firm.

8)      To learn about the quality of a product.

9)      To know thr avaibility of an item.

10)  To make request for sample

  Rules for drafting inquiry letter

Drafting is most necessary to use inquiry letter writimg so that you can quickly get the information you wish to collect & also locate the right seller.This are given bellow: 

1. Described your need clearly & precisely.
2. Request the seller for catalog,price qutation & terms of of payment.
3. Ask for sample / demonstration if necessary.
4. Give an idea of the quantity you intend to buy.
5. State the details of your business and what you are interested in.
6. Ask for terms relating discount,credit,mode of delivary.
7. Ask the seller to indicate the period for which his quotation will be valid.
8. Avoid length & unnecessary statement
9. Avoid repetition.
10. Avoid apologies-dont say sorry . 

The above mentioned rules mist be followed in preparing anyinquiry letter to send to seller.

Hints for writing  inquiry letter  

 Inquiry letter must be written in direct approach.The ipening & closing sentence are very important to attract the attention of the reader. There are some example a few opening & closing sentence are given below: 

 Some opening sentence for inquiry:

1. Please quote your lowest rate for the following items.
2. We should appreciate details.
3. May we request you to let us have your lowest rate from the following items.
4. We should be grateful if you kindly inform us of the terms & condition.
5. Please let us know your lowest rates as early as possible for the supply of

                    

Some closing sentence for inquiry:

1. We should really appreciate an early response.
2. On hearing from you we shall place a firm order with you.
3. As we need these goods urgently we shall be grateful for an early reply.
4. We loom froward to placing an order with you.
5. Since we plan to give you regular business we are sure you will quote your most favourable terms.