Understanding a seed wholesale enquiry before you send it

For a retailer sending a first wholesale enquiry, the step between selecting varieties and receiving a quotation can feel unclear. This guide explains the sequence of events, what each stage confirms and which parts remain non-binding, so you can prepare your selection with confidence before submitting it.

An enquiry is a request, not a purchase

Adding varieties to the enquiry basket or sending the form does not conclude a purchase contract. The catalogue is a tool for selecting varieties and requesting a quotation. An automated acknowledgement only confirms that your enquiry has been received for review; it is not an order confirmation and no payment is taken through the website. Keep this distinction in mind when you plan quantities, because nothing is reserved or committed at the moment you submit.

What happens after you send your details

Once your enquiry arrives, the supplier reviews the requested items, quantities and destination. Availability, pack sizes, prices, applicable taxes, shipping charges, payment terms and delivery arrangements are then specified separately in a quotation. Because these details are checked before an offer is made, the quotation is the point at which you learn the actual supply conditions rather than the listed catalogue information alone.

Why listed prices are not final prices

Variety pages, species lists and quick enquiry pages show listed prices and quantity tiers, but these relate to catalogue entries. They do not confirm current stock or batch-specific test results. Final prices and shipping charges are confirmed in the quotation. For a retailer building a margin calculation, treat the listed figures as a starting point and wait for the quotation before fixing retail prices or committing to a promotion.

Including business details with your selection

Provide your business name and contact details, the requested items, the destination and any packaging requirements when you send the enquiry. Check quantities and units before submitting, since the review is based on what you enter. If you need to correct an enquiry that has already been sent, contact the supplier with its reference so the right record can be updated rather than starting a second, possibly conflicting, request.

Unlisted varieties and special requests

If a variety you want is not in the catalogue, you can still ask. Send the botanical name or variety name, the quantity and the destination. The same review process applies: the supplier checks what can be offered and confirms details in the quotation. This is useful for retailers filling a specific gap in their range without assuming that a listed entry exists for every crop they stock.

Where the binding terms come from

The terms of any purchase are set out in the quotation and the subsequent agreement, not in the catalogue or the enquiry form. Availability, pack sizes and delivery arrangements are agreed at that stage. Read the quotation carefully, compare it with your original selection and confirm any points that differ before you treat the supply as settled. This keeps expectations aligned on both sides.

Correcting or following up an enquiry

Enquiries can be changed or items removed before they are sent. After sending, if you need to adjust something, email with the enquiry reference. For questions about an already agreed order, include the order or quotation reference and describe the issue. For a product complaint, include the item and batch references if available, as these help the supplier trace the specific goods.

What to prepare before you submit

A little preparation makes the review faster. Have your business contact details ready, know your destination, and be clear about packaging requirements. Decide on realistic quantities per variety rather than a broad estimate, and note any documentation you will need for the proposed shipment. If you are sourcing for a specific season or promotion, say so in the enquiry so the review can take timing into account.

Seeds, knowledge and growing possibilities.

Seed trade journal