INQUIRY LETTER AND ORDER LETTER

• Definition of Inquiry letter
A letter of request, also known as a letter or letters of interesting candidates, will be sent to the companies. Letter of request is a letter from a prospective buyer to the seller requesting information about the products offered. With the offer of the seller will potential buyers will know the price, and the sale and purchase, and a description of the goods or services to be purchased. This is the purpose of the prospective buyer a written request to the seller.
When a prospective buyer has to know the condition of the goods / services following the price and terms of sale and purchase, of course he did not need to ask for a quote from the seller. Letter of inquiry required in formal trade demand formal procedures in writing. Letter of inquiry is often an early stage of the business transactions. Through a letter of inquiry to ask a potential buyer or to request information about the goods or services to be purchased. In reaction, the seller explained the things he wanted to know the buyer, the buyer did finally order and business transactions as the top buying and selling process.
In the letter of demand for the goods usually offer prospective buyers ask:
1. Name and type of goods.
2. Special characteristics (specifications) of goods, namely, the type, size, quality, capacity and others.
3. Unit price.
4. Pieces.
5. Method of payment.
6. Means of delivery.
7. Ease that may be obtained by the buyer, such as guarantees and other.

In addition to the above mentioned potential buyers asking price lists and catalogs (if the items varied) and a technical description of the goods in the form of leaflets or brochures. For items that allow, prospective buyers can also request a sample of goods actually sent.
By letter of demand and supply of services, prospective buyers can ask:
1. The form of services that can be presented by the seller.
2. Equipment used by the seller as a support (if any).
3. Price.
4. Pieces.
5. Method of payment;

In demand service offerings, potential buyers can also request a price list (according to the level of services to be provided). Usually all been included in the prospectus which has been prepared by the company selling services. Inquiry should not only be submitted to one seller, but to some sellers. This step was taken so that the price list and the information collected will be compared with each other to determine which one best suit your desires and financial ability of prospective buyers.
Example of an iquiry letter:

Reply of Inquiry Letter :

The letter that is written by a potential buyer to the seller requesting him to deliver goods is known as order letter. By writing inquiry letters, buyers can collect necessary information about the price, quality of goods and terms of sale. If the buyer finds the quoted price, quality of goods and terms of sales satisfactory, he places an order to supply goods in his address. The seller delivers the good according to the buyer’s order.
In modern time, sellers supply printed orders forms to the customers and customers place orders by filling up those printed order blanks. In this case, the printed order sheet or blank is considered as the order letter.

• Definition of Order Letter
Through order letter, the potential buyers request the suppliers to deliver goods to them. In modern time, printed order blanks or purchase order forms supplied by the seller are typically used for placing orders. However, in absence of order blanks and purchase order forms, order letters are written. Such letters contain three major categories of information:
 Information about the items being ordered.
 Information relating to shipping.
 Information relating to payment.

1. Information about the items being ordered.
An order letter must contain full particulars of goods ordered. Such information include the followings:
a. Product name
b. Brand name
c. Quantity
d. Catalog number
e. Model number
f. Color
g. Size
h. Weight
i. Unit price

2. Information relating to shipping.
Shipping information is very important. In absence of shipping information, there can arise misunderstanding between buyer and seller. Shipping information may include the followings:
a. Desired receipt date.
b. Desired shipping location.
c. Mode of shipping (rail, road, or waterways).

3. Information relating to payment.
Mode of payment of prices for the ordered items must be clearly indicated. The seller will accept the order letter only when both of them come to a common ground relation to payment of price. Payment information include the following:
a. Mode of payment (cash, cheque, draft)
b. Payment data
The above stated factors are usually included in order letter. However, the buyer can include any other instruction or element if he thinks necessary.

Example of an order letter:

Question about Inquiry Letter:
1. What is an inquiry letter?
Letter of request is a letter from a prospective buyer to the seller requesting information about the products offered. With the offer of the seller will potential buyers will know the price, and the sale and purchase, and a description of the goods or services to be purchased.
2. What is the position of Mr. John Lennon?
Mr. John Lennon as a Sales Manager.
3. When was the letter typed?
The letter was typed at 25th June 2009
4. What did Mr. John Lennon ask for?
The details of their product together with sample, terms of payment and the price list.
5. How did Mr. John Lennon know the advertisement?
Mr. John Lennon saw their advertisement in the “Metal Worker” few days ago.

Question about Order Letter:
1. What is an order letter?
An order letter is letter from a prospective buyer to the seller whose contents ask for quote.
2. What items does the Dandy Manufacturing, inc want to order?
Tiny blue widget, Deluxe yellow widget and Super deluxe red widget.
3. How many items ordered by Dandy Manufacturing, inc?
The number of items ordered is 450 units.
4. What method of delivery does Dandy Manufacturing, inc want?
Dandy Manufacturing, inc would like that’s order to ship COD
5. What should be done Better Widget Makers, inc if unable to complete the order within 10 days?
If  Better Widget Makers, inc can’t complete the order within 10 days, they must notify Dandy Manufacturing, inc immediately.

Reference :
https://bagaskawarasan.wordpress.com/2012/11/11/inquiry-letter/
https://thebusinesscommunication.com/what-is-order-letter-factors-to-be-considered-in-writing-order-letter/