Step one: name the line and the application
The first step in writing an enquiry is to name the pipe line, choosing one of the six lines on this site or stating plainly that a different line is wanted, and to name the application, choosing one or more of the five directions on this site. Those two facts, line and application, are the minimum that allows a direct answer, and every other fact in the enquiry builds on them. A message that names only a line, without an application, or only an application, without a line, will need a second message before the commercial points can be answered, and the enquiry checklist page collects the line and application questions first for that reason.
Where the job touches a homepage column direction, such as structure pipe, casing and tubing or oil and gas line pipe, the message should name that direction as well, together with the line. Where the job touches more than one application direction, the message should name each direction, so that the reply can cover the job as a whole. Where shape matters, as with hollow sections, the message should name the shape, square or rectangular, at this step as well, because shape is part of the line description for that line and cannot be added later without changing the enquiry.
Step two: add size, quantities and destination
The second step is to add the size wanted in outside diameter terms where a size is known and a range is given for the line, the quantities where they are known, the destination, and any date by which the items are needed. Where a size is not yet fixed, the message should say so and ask what information the supplier needs before availability can be discussed. Where quantities are not yet fixed, the message should say so in the same way. Where the destination differs from the site where the items will be used, the message should name both, so that timing and terms can be answered for the movement as well as for the items.
Size, quantities and destination are the facts that turn a general question into a job. A message that names a line and an application without a size, quantities or destination can still be sent, but it should say plainly which of those facts are not yet fixed, so that the supplier can answer the missing-fact questions first. A message that invents a size or a quantity in order to look complete will produce an answer for items that are not wanted, and the buyer will then need a second message to correct it. Plainly marking unfixed facts is faster than correcting invented ones.
Step three: ask the commercial questions together
The third step is to ask, in the same message, for quantity terms, timing, trade terms, payment method and documents to be confirmed for the items named. This site uses only the general wording that certificates are available upon request, and any document question should name the items it concerns, so that the answer can be tied to those items. Splitting the commercial questions across separate messages produces fragmented answers that are hard to check against the order, while gathering them produces a single reply that can be checked as a whole. That gathering discipline is the same for every line and every application on this site.
Where the enquiry covers more than one line or more than one application, the commercial questions should be separated by line and application, with quantities and sizes under each part, rather than asked once for the whole enquiry. A part-by-part message allows a part-by-part answer, and allows the buyer to check each part against the order it concerns. The buying checklist page collects the commercial questions in that part-by-part order, and a buyer who works through it before writing will find that the message almost writes itself, because each checklist question becomes one sentence of the message.
Before sending: a final check
Before sending, check that the message names a line, an application, a size where known, quantities or a plain statement that they are not yet fixed, a destination, and a reply email address. Check that any date by which the items are needed is stated, that any shape wanted is named where shape matters, and that the commercial questions are asked together, for the same items, in the same message. Check that no figure is stated as a fact where the site states none, and that no document is named as held where the site uses only the general wording that certificates are available upon request.
A message that passes those checks still does not settle an order. Quantity terms, timing, trade terms, payment method and documents are settled in the reply to the enquiry, for the items named. The enquiry form on the enquiry page asks only for a name, a reply email address and a message, and the message is where the order questions belong. A buyer who follows the three steps on this page will send a message that can be answered directly.
Certificates available upon request. Please confirm the minimum order quantity in your inquiry before placing an order. Please confirm the lead time with the supplier before placing an order. Please confirm the trade terms and payment method before confirming an order.