How to ask for MOQ and tier prices in an RFQ

A low price at an unreachable quantity is not a useful comparison. Ask for the minimum order quantity by product, colour, and packaging variant. These may differ. Specify the volumes you can realistically buy, then request a price at each volume rather than a vague “best price”.

Capture the conditions

Ask whether a tier applies per order, per shipment, or across a forecast period. Record any setup charge, carton multiple, mixed-variant rule, and storage commitment. A supplier may quote one unit price but require a full production batch; another may allow small runs at a higher unit cost. Calculate the cash outlay for the actual order quantity, not only the quoted unit rate.

Prepare the award decision

Show the minimum feasible order beside the first planned order and the expected reorder. Treat a forecast as a planning input unless the contract makes it binding. When a proposed tier depends on a future volume, ask for a written trigger and reprice mechanism before placing today's order.

Worked quantity request

Your first need is 400 units, but a supplier advertises a 2,000-unit price. Enter “400-unit trial; request 400, 1,000 and 2,000 tiers separately” in the RFQ builder quantity field. Ask whether the minimum applies per colour and whether a 400-unit trial has a setup fee. Compare the cash required for 400 actual units with the cash required to meet the MOQ. Common error: showing the 2,000-unit rate as the cost of a 400-unit order.

Source context: Microsoft Learn — Requests for quotation (RFQs) overview supports this limited point: An RFQ can request prices, delivery times, incidental charges, and discounts. The buyer procedure above is Suppliers Help editorial guidance. Source checked 2026-09-27.