Definition Inquiry Letter
Business
letter that is used for communication between potential buyers and sellers to
get information about the kinds or types and specifications, the prices of goods or
services, as well as the
wisdom of the sale as a way of payment, delivery of services sales, after-sales
service, delivery method, and the method of delivery.
Usually
this letter is a first step in building a business or cooperation of two
parties: the provider of products / services and buyers of products / services.
The functions Inquiry Letter
The functions of this letter is to respond to an
advertisement of information sources such as newspapers, magazines or
electronic media about a product / service when we are interested in the
information obtained.
In
this letter, there are some things that are discussed by the provider of the service / product
is the question of the buyer in order to help the buyer itself to find out
information about products / services. These things include:
a.
Name and type of product
b.
Product specifications that is ; type, size, quality, capacity
c.
Price unit
d.
Discount
e.
The method of payment from the buyer to the seller;
f.
How to delivery of the product from the seller to the buyer, and
g.
The easy
with which the buyer may be obtained, such as warranty and others.
Purpose Inquiry Letter
The
purpose of this letter is to obtain information from the sellers. If the sellers is expecting the letter, the buyers task is easy.
If the sellers is not expecting your letter, then it is more
difficult.
In this case, following these four guidelines will be
helpful:
1)
State
your purpose
2)
List
your questions or requested action
3)
Offer
something in return to encourage action
4)
Follow
up with note, e-mail, or phone call to the person who helped you with your request.
Inquiry
Letter can be made on
the basis of two possibilities
that
is :
1. Based on the initiative of the buyer, without
responding to advertisements, it is based on the need for
information to obtain goods or services in all aspects related to the
procurement of goods or services quickly before making a reservation.
2. Based on the information such
as advertisements, with to
know the detail required for the order process associated with the procurement
of goods or
services to be held in order to meet the necessary requirements.
Categories
Inquiry Letter
- General Inquiry
Letter
In a general inquiry, the writer may ask only for
catalogues, samples to get a general understanding of the products handled by
the exporter.
- Spesific Inquiry
Letter
In a specific inquiry letter, when the buyer want to know a particular
product the desired
Inquiry Letter Formats
(Block Style)
Organization Letter Head (HEADING)
Ref Date
Recipient's
Name (specific official or person)
Recipient's
Address
Salutation (Dear Recipient)
First
Paragraph (Details
of the Inquiry)
Second
Paragraph (Brief
history, suggestions, statistical data etc.)
Final
Paragraph (Offer assistance
towards communication and assistance)
Subscription (your faithfull, yours sincerely)
Your Signature
Your
Typed First Name,
Last
Name
Your Designation (as required)
Enc
Content
Inquiry Of Letter
First
paragraph
This should tell the reader
what you want
The introduction serves as the executive summary for
the letter of inquiry and includes the name of your organization, the amount
needed or requested, and a description of the project.
Example
I saw your advert in the HK Daily on Wednesday, 13 June 2007.
Your company was recommended to me by Ms. Elsie Wong of Far Eastern Logistics.
With reference to your advertisement (ad) in...
I saw your advert in the HK Daily on Wednesday, 13 June 2007.
Your company was recommended to me by Ms. Elsie Wong of Far Eastern Logistics.
With reference to your advertisement (ad) in...
Regarding your advertisement (ad) in ...
Second
Paragraph
This paragraph tells the reader why you are contacting
his or her organization, and gives further details of the enquiry
There
are two reasons why you may contact an organization :
1. You
have contacted this organization before and want to again.
2. You
have not contacted this organization before, but you have heard about them, You
should describe From where, such aas from an advertisment or recomendation.
Example
Please send me...
Could you please send me...
(for things that the organization offers to send)
I would be grateful if you could tell me…
(for things that are not normally offered)
I am writing to enquire whether…
I would be grateful if you could…
(to see if something is possible)
I would especially like to know…
Could you send me more details…
( + a more detailed request)
Could you also…
I would also like to know...
Could you tell me whether...
( + an additional enquiry or request)
Final
Paragraph
This paragraph should contain a polite expression
and/or an expression of thanks to the reader. The degree of politeness (and
therefore the length), depends on how unusual or difficult your request is.
Possible language includes:
Example
:
Thanks. (For a very informal and normal enquiry or
request)
I look forward to hearing from you.
I am looking forward to hearing from you.
Thank you for your assistance.
Thank you very much for your kind assistance.
I appreciate that this is an unusual request, but I
would be very grateful for any help you could provide. I look forward to
hearing from you.
A.Q.Electronics
Ltd.
Calle Estoril
1701
Barselona
Ref: JR/ct 20th October, 2014
Standart Office Furniture Ltd.
Cantley Rd.
London, SW4 9HX
Great Britain
Dear Sirs,
We have read an article in “Office News” about your
range of visible record system filing cabinets. We are
interested in introducing a modern filing system in our main office.
We also
wish to install an electronic system for the storage
and retrieval
of data.
Please send us price list and catalogues of your
manual and electronic data processing systems, quoting your price
f.o.b. London if possible. We are particularly interested in
type
TW37, so we would be grateful if you would enclose
more detailed information about this particular model.
We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Yours faithfully,
J. Rodriguez
Office Manager