There are three types of RFQ process available on watersorted. One is at the product level and two are at the global, or system level.

A seller can provide a Request For Quote option on any product / service that they add to their shop.

The request for quote button may be the only option available, or it may be displayed in addition to the price and the Add to cart option.

If a buyer clicks on the request for proposal button it opens up the product level RFQ form. The buyer is asked to complete some details about their pricing request. The buyer then submits this form.

The seller can decide to respond or not to the request. If the seller responds a negotiation workflow starts. If both parties agree to the terms then a transaction is entered into. This workflow is detailed in our article on Product RFQ.

A buyer can initiate an RFQ process for a product or service that is, or isn't, already present on watersorted by inviting up to 5 selected sellers to respond.

The process is started by clicking on the Request for Quote button on the website header.

This will bring up the global RFQ form.

The buyer is asked to complete some details about their pricing request. The buyer then selects who they want to invite to submit an RFQ. The buyer can select from their favourite sellers or from the anyone on the platform.

Once the form is submitted the sellers will be notified and can choose to respond to the RFQ or not. If any sellers respond a negotiation workflow starts. The buyer can select their preferred seller and if both parties agree to the terms then a transaction is entered into. This workflow is detailed in our article on Closed (Invited) RFQ.

A guest user can also initiate an invited RFQ. The form will have some additional elements for the guest user and the Invited (Favourite) option will not be available.

A buyer can initiate an RFQ process for a product or service that is, or isn't, already present on watersorted by inviting any sellers listing in categories that they select to respond.

The process is started by clicking on the Request for Quote button on the website header, or on the buyer dashboard.

This will bring up the global RFQ form.

The buyer is asked to complete some details about their pricing request.

Once the form is submitted sellers will be notified and can choose to respond to the RFQ or not. If any sellers respond a negotiation workflow starts. The buyer can select their preferred seller and if both parties agree to the terms then a transaction is entered into. This workflow is detailed in our article on Open RFQ.