Why Most RFQs Get Ignored
Factories receive dozens of RFQs every week. Most of them ask for pricing on products that aren't fully defined, from buyers the factory has never heard of, with no indication of volume or timeline. The factory has no way to price it accurately — so they don't respond at all.
The mistake most importers make is treating the RFQ like a formal procurement document when the factory is looking at it as a sales conversation. Your first RFQ to a new factory isn't a purchase order. It's an introduction.
The Information Factories Actually Need
A factory needs four things to give you a useful quote: a clear product description, a realistic target quantity, a delivery timeframe, and some indication that you're a real buyer. Everything else is secondary.
- Product description with dimensions, materials, and key specifications
- Target FOB quantity — not a range, a number
- Required delivery date or production window
- Your company name and website
What to Leave Out of Your First RFQ
Don't ask for tooling costs, packaging options, certification details, or payment terms in your first RFQ. These questions signal that you're in early research mode, not buying mode. Save them for after you've received initial pricing and want to move forward with a specific factory.
The Format That Works
Keep your first RFQ to one page. Lead with your company name and a single sentence about what you import. Follow with the product specification, target quantity, and delivery window. Close with a specific ask — pricing by a specific date — and your direct contact information.
Factories respond to buyers who seem organized and serious. A clean, specific one-page RFQ signals both.
Following Up
Wait five business days before following up. When you do, keep it to one sentence: a direct question about whether they received your request and can provide pricing by your target date. Factories that don't respond to two contacts aren't the right partners regardless of their pricing.