Stop blaming buyers for bad RFQs. Train them.
You complain that the RFQs you receive are vague. “They just asked for ‘price of steel parts’.” Why are they doing that? Because your contact page is just a blank message box.
If you don’t structure the buyer’s request, they will structure it based on their own lazines. A highly technical B2B website must take control of the conversation immediately.
The Architecture of the Perfect RFQ
Provide a downloadable PDF or an interactive form that explicitly dictates what you need to provide an accurate quote.
- Material & Grades: Don’t just ask for “Material.” Ask for “Target Material Grade (e.g., Al 6061-T6, SS 316L).”
- Tolerances: Ask for both standard tolerances and critical-to-quality (CTQ) dimensions.
- Expected Annual Volume (EAV): A prototype run of 50 units requires a completely different tooling strategy than an EAV of 200,000 units. Ask for both upfront.
- Assembly & Finishing: Do they need hard anodizing? Do they need you to press-fit bearings?
When you force a buyer to think through these questions, you instantly filter out the non-serious tire-kickers and elevate your status in the eyes of real engineers.