Inquiry Customer refers to a potential buyer who proactively sends an inquiry to a company, asking for product information or a quotation. In foreign trade, an inquiry is the first step in business negotiation, usually initiated through email, B2B platforms, trade shows, or social media. An inquiry customer may only be getting a preliminary understanding of the market, or may have a clear purchasing intention, so it is necessary to screen for authenticity and value. Compared with a 'prospect customer,' an inquiry customer has not yet undergone in-depth communication and needs confirmation; compared with an 'order customer,' no transaction has been reached. When handling inquiries, companies should respond quickly, provide professional quotations and product materials, and distinguish valid inquiries from spam to avoid leaking core business information. In addition, an inquiry customer may ask multiple suppliers for prices at the same time, so differentiated replies, professionalism, and follow-up strategy are crucial.
📝 Examples
1. Last week we received an inquiry customer from Germany who is very interested in this new motor and asked for detailed specifications and an FOB quote. (Note: The inquiry customer proactively asks for product information and needs a timely reply and quotation.)
2. This inquiry customer has asked about the price of the same product three times but has not placed an order, so they may be cautious or still comparing prices. (Note: An inquiry customer may repeatedly ask for prices, so patient follow-up and judgment of purchase intention are needed.)
💡 Foreign Trade Tips
Foreign trade terms are the foundation of international business communication
Trade practices may vary slightly by country; pay attention when using them
When using terms in contracts, specify the applicable version (e.g., Incoterms 2020)
For unfamiliar terms, use GlobalSync's multilingual email helper to confirm with your partner