How to write a netting RFQ that gets accurate quotes the first time
Suppliers do not quote requirements; they quote specifications. When an RFQ says “I need shade cloth for my farm, best price”, the reply is not a price, it is five questions, and every round trip adds days. Here is what a quotable netting RFQ contains, and why each field changes the number you get back.
In short
A netting RFQ that gets an accurate quote states seven things: the problem (pest, sun, hail, storage), the product family, the key spec (mesh aperture in mm, shade %, or hail mesh size), dimensions and quantity, destination, timing, and any required documents. With those seven, a serious supplier can quote in one pass. Without them, you get either questions or, worse, a low-looking price built on guesses that get corrected after you commit.
The seven fields, and why each moves the price
- The problem you are solving. “Thrips on greenhouse peppers” tells a supplier more than three spec lines: it implies the aperture, the ventilation trade-off and the mounting. Lead with it.
- Product family. Insect, shade, hail or mesh bags. If you are not sure, say so; a good counterpart recommends rather than guesses silently.
- The key specification. For insect netting, the aperture in millimetres, not just a mesh count (two “50 mesh” nets can differ; the Netting Buyer’s Reference has the aperture-by-pest table). For shade netting, the percentage and colour. For hail netting, the mesh opening. Getting this line wrong is how you receive an accurate quote for the wrong product.
- Dimensions and quantity. Roll widths and lengths if you know them, or the area to cover if you do not; the roll layout planner converts one into the other and shows the overlap material honestly.
- Destination. Country and, for the US, the state. It drives freight, and it decides which import questions (classification, duties, importer of record) the quote must answer in writing.
- Timing. “Installed before mid-April” is a specification, not a nicety: production runs weeks, freight runs weeks, and Chinese New Year closes factories. A date lets the supplier tell you today whether it is achievable.
- Required documents or standards. Material certificates, specific packaging, labelling. Cheap to include at production time, expensive to retrofit.
What to leave out
Price targets (“best price”), invented urgency, and volume you do not actually have. Overstating quantity to fish for a lower unit price backfires: the quote’s MOQ terms and any tooling assumptions get built on the fake number, and the real order then does not match its own quote. State the volume you will actually buy, and ask what changes at the next quantity break; that question is free and gets an honest answer.
A worked example
Weak RFQ: “Hi, price for shade net, 50%, good quality, large quantity. Best price please.”
Quotable RFQ: “Greenhouse tomato grower, central Texas. Heat stress in July-August. Need 30% black shade cloth (per UD Extension guidance), HDPE UV-treated, about 90 gsm. Area: 4 tunnels, 9 m x 30 m each; suggest roll format. Destination: Austin, TX area. Needed installed by June 1. No special certificates. Please state MOQ, lead time, Incoterm options and who acts as importer of record.”
The second version is four sentences longer and saves two weeks of email. Every field above maps to a line the quote can now state in writing.
The shortcut
Our RFQ spec builder walks through these fields, scores the completeness of your spec, and produces a branded PDF you can attach to the quote form here or send to any supplier, including our competitors. We built it because complete RFQs make quoting faster and more accurate for everyone; we reply to ours within 2 business days.
The process behind the quote, from specification to quality checks, is documented on How we source.
Frequently asked questions
What makes a netting RFQ quotable in one pass?
Seven fields: the problem you are solving, the product family, the key spec (aperture in mm, shade percentage or hail mesh size), dimensions and quantity, destination, timing, and any required documents. With those, a serious supplier can quote without a round of questions.
Should I put a target price in my netting RFQ?
No. "Best price" is not a specification and it invites a low-looking number built on guesses. State the real requirement and instead ask what changes at the next quantity break; that question is free and gets an honest answer.
Should I overstate quantity to get a lower unit price?
No. The quote's MOQ terms and tooling assumptions get built on the inflated number, so the real order no longer matches its own quote. State the volume you will actually buy.
What if I do not know the exact specification?
Say so. Lead with the problem (for example, thrips on greenhouse peppers) and the crop; a good supplier recommends the spec rather than guessing silently. The RFQ spec builder walks through the fields and scores completeness.