DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION

ANDHRA PRADESH
Name : A. K. Swamy
Designation : Lecturer
Branch : DCCP
Institute : Govt. Polytechnic for Women,
Nandigama.
Year/ Semester : IV Semester.
Subject : Business Correspondence
Subject Code : CCP404
Topic : Letters of Enquiries, Offer,
Quotation, Acceptance and Order
Sub-Topic : Letter of Enquiry
Duration : 50 Minutes
Teaching Aids : PPT, Animations
CCP404.6 1
Objectives:
On completion of this period, you would
be able to
1. Know the meaning of an ‘ENQUIRY LETTER’
2. Write a Letter of Enquiry

CCP404.6 2
Meaning of ‘An Enquiry Letter’:

 A letter written to enquire the price, quality, trade

terms and terms of payment
 Written by the buyer to the supplier
 The buyer should properly identify his needs and be
specific about enquiry
 Foundation for business relations
 Special care needed for drafting.

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 TYPES OF ENQUIRY LETTERS:

 Solicited letter of enquiry

 Unsolicited letter of enquiry
 General letter of enquiry
 Status letter of enquiry

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1. Solicited Letter of Enquiry:
Buyer responds to supplier’s
letter/advertisement.

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1. Unsolicited Letter of Enquiry:

 Buyer writes to the suppliers on his/her own initiative,

it is unsolicited letter of enquiry

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 General Letter Of Enquiry:
 Businessman writes to the supplier
enquiring about product’s availability
 He is not sure about the availability at the
firm

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4. Status Letter Of Enquiry:
Traders write to Banks or other business organizations
to know the financial status of an individual with whom
he/she wants to deal

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Important Points for drafting
Enquiry Letter

 A clear and detailed description of the goods

should be mentioned.
 Contain the request for price list, catalogue or
quotation etc.,
 Contain a request for samples, if required
 Contain a request for trade terms like discounts,
mode of delivery etc.,

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Important Points for drafting
Enquiry Letter contd
 Terms of payment i.e., credit or cash payment
indicated.
 Buyer should give a clear idea about the
quality/quantity required.
 Packing size should be clear
Example: each pack contains 50 Nos. or 100 Nos.
 Avoid lengthy statements.

CCP404.6 10
Opening sentence of an Enquiry
Letter:

 May we have the pleasure of getting your

catalogue
 Will you please let us know the prices of …

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Closing Sentences - Enquiry Letter

 If your terms are favorable, we shall be pleased to

send our order immediately.
 We intend to place a large order if the prices are
reasonable.
 We hope to place a large order, if your quotations
are reasonable and terms of business favourable

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Specimen Enquiry Letter:
Dear Sirs,
We are planning to install internet with high
speed computers. Kindly quote your lowest prices
and state terms and conditions for supply of
Computer-Pentium IV.
If your price and terms are favourable, we shall
be pleased to place our order immediately.
Yours faithfully,
Marketing Manager

CCP404.6 13
Summary

 A letter is written to enquire the price, quality,

terms and conditions etc., is known as Enquiry
Letter
 It is written by a buyer
 There are four types of enquiry letters
 Enquiry letter must contain the full particulars to
get full information

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Quiz
1. Enquiry letter is written by

a) A seller
b) A buyer
c) A supplier
d) All

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Quiz
2. Enquiry letter is written to
a) Place an order
b) Cancel the order
c) Enquire about the price, terms and conditions
d) All

CCP404.6 16
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What is an Enquiry letter?
2. What are solicited and unsolicited enquiry?
3. Write an enquiry letter for purchasing of English
lab equipment?
4. Mention the circumstances when enquiry letters
are written
5. What are the points to be kept in mind while
drafting an enquiry letter?

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