When you send out a request for quote, there are several terms you could be telling the estimator that could trigger a delayed response. When I say delayed, I mean you'll be lucky to get them the same week, or even at all. I'll give you the most potent term that should never ever be found in a request, e-mail, or in a telephone conversation.
"Budgetary Quote".
This term is a death-nail to your RFQ. This is telling the estimator that he or she is wasting their time. Why quote something that you'll probably never get an order for? Whether or not that would be the case, that's how it would be taken in estimating. Leave this term in the dust, or else that's what your Request For Quote will be collecting!
But that's only one (probably the worst) that you could use that will scream QUOTING PRACTICE! There are many other terms and phrases that you could be using to hamper a quick turn on your quotes...
Telling the estimator up front to sharpen your pencil. To an estimator, this means they'll need to be cheaper than usual. Unless you've gotten your company involved with price gougers, they already supply you with the best prices they can. On the surface there's nothing wrong with it, but the underlying tone is saying, "Send me your quote, even though I'll probably be buying from someone cheaper."
In certain situations, asking them to sharpen their pencils in response to a quote can work much better, (after getting up off of the floor, clutching your chest from seeing the cost of your project). Even still, why not just call and find out why it's expensive? I'm sure they've got reasons that may surprise you.
So be thoughtful. Think of this as similar to SEO. If you use the wrong set of keywords, your RFQ will creep down to the bottom of the pile.
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