What is an RFQ for dining chairs and how is it different from an inquiry?

An inquiry is a casual 'do you make this?' message. An RFQ (request for quotation) is a structured brief that lists the exact model, material, quantity, finish, incoterm and delivery target so a factory can return a real, comparable price. Sending an RFQ instead of a vague inquiry is the single biggest factor in getting accurate quotes.

How many chairs do I need to mention in an RFQ to get a real quote?

State the projected total and the target order size. Every JIANGPIN model is quoted from 6 pieces, so you can request a sample-run price and a full-container price in the same RFQ. Mixing several models in one order is fine - just list each line item separately so the factory can price the consolidated shipment.

Should I send photos or drawings with my chair RFQ?

Yes. A reference photo plus the dimensions that matter to you (seat height, overall height, stack height) prevents the factory from quoting the wrong model. Always ask for a pre-production 'golden sample' you approve and keep as the quality benchmark before mass production begins.

How to Write a Dining Chair RFQ: Get Accurate Factory Quotes from China

Published by JIANGPIN · Dining chair manufacturer in Foshan, China

Most importers do not lose money on the chair they buy - they lose it on the quote they compared. A vague message like “send price for your dining chairs” returns a vague price, and vague prices are impossible to compare. The fix is an RFQ: a short, structured request for quotation. As a solid wood dining chair manufacturer that answers dozens of RFQs every week, we have built a template that gets you a real number on the first reply.

1. Why a vague inquiry wastes both your time and the factory’s

A generic inquiry forces the factory to guess your intent: which model, what material, how many, shipped where, finished how. Every guess is a chance to quote the wrong thing. When you later clarify, the price moves - sometimes by 30% or more. A clear RFQ turns a 5-email ping-pong into one accurate reply. It also signals you are a serious buyer, which matters when capacity is tight before the Chinese New Year rush. Browse our commercial restaurant chair range first so you can name the exact model or family you want priced.

2. The 8 fields every chair RFQ must include

Treat your RFQ like a mini spec sheet. At minimum it should state: (1) model or reference photo, (2) material and finish, (3) target quantity and order rhythm, (4) required certifications, (5) packaging method, (6) incoterm (EXW, FOB, CIF, DDP), (7) destination port or address, and (8) target ship date. Miss any one and you invite an assumption. If you are unsure how these fields map to a real product, our commercial table and chair sets listings show the kind of detail factories expect.

3. Specifying materials: wood, metal and upholstery

“Wood chair” is not a specification - beech, ash, oak and rubberwood behave and price very differently. Name the species, the finish (painted, stained, oiled), and whether cushions are required. For metal frames, state steel gauge and powder-coat color; for upholstery, the fabric code or a swatch. Our solid wood chair collection, iron-frame models and stainless-steel options each carry different material costs, so pinning the material is what makes two quotes actually comparable.

4. Quantities, MOQ and how to mix models in one order

State both your test order and your projected annual volume. Every model in JIANGPIN’s catalog is quoted from 6 pieces, so you can start with a single pallet and still get a real price. If you plan to mix models - say side chairs plus leisure chairs plus bar stools - list each as a separate line item so the factory can consolidate them into one shipment and price the container correctly. Tell us your plan in the RFQ via our contact form and we will return a line-by-line breakdown.

5. Incoterms and delivery terms you must state

A price without an incoterm is meaningless: EXW (pick up at our Foshan gate) and DDP (delivered to your warehouse, duties paid) can differ by half the landed cost. Always name the term and the destination. For outdoor and patio chairs especially, confirm whether the quote includes weather-resistant packaging for a long sea voyage. If you are new to incoterms, note it in the RFQ and ask the factory to itemize freight, insurance and duties separately - we are happy to do that through our quoting team.

6. Photos, drawings and the golden-sample rule

Send a reference photo and the dimensions that matter to you - seat height, overall height, and stack height if stackability is required. This prevents the factory from quoting a look-alike model with different measurements. Then apply the golden-sample rule: before mass production, approve a pre-production sample and keep it as your quality benchmark. Our tatami and specialty seating and restaurant chairs are both supplied this way, and it is the most reliable way to make sure the bulk order matches the quote.

Conclusion

A good dining chair RFQ is short but complete: model, material, quantity, certification, packaging, incoterm, destination and ship date. That brief is what turns a guessing game into a comparable, defensible price. As a SGS-verified Foshan manufacturer, JIANGPIN supports OEM/ODM, small MOQs and the golden-sample process - send us your RFQ and we will return a structured quote, usually within two business days.