RFQ on Shopify: how request-for-quote actually works for B2B

RFQ stands for request for quote - when a business buyer asks a seller for pricing on specific products and quantities instead of buying at a listed price. On Shopify, an RFQ flow means adding a "Request a quote" button so buyers submit what they need, you reply with a priced proposal, you negotiate if needed, and the accepted quote becomes a real Shopify order. It's the same thing this site calls a quote request - "RFQ" is just the procurement world's name for it.

This guide explains what an RFQ is, how the request-for-quote process actually works for B2B, and how to run one on Shopify.

What an RFQ is

An RFQ (request for quote) is a buyer's formal ask for pricing: "here's what I want, what will it cost?" It's standard in B2B because business buyers can't always check out at a shelf price - they're ordering in volume, negotiating terms, or buying configured products, and they need a quote before they commit.

Because "RFQ" and "request a quote" describe the same step, the rest of this guide uses the plainer term quote request. The mechanics are identical whichever name your buyers use.

How the request-for-quote process works for B2B

A complete RFQ process on Shopify runs through five stages - the same loop a quote follows:

1. The request. The buyer submits what they need - products, quantities, and any details that affect price, like delivery or a target price - through a request-a-quote form.
2. The proposal. You respond with a priced offer: per-line unit prices, a volume discount, shipping, and an expiry date.
3. The negotiation. The buyer can counter-offer, you counter back, and each round is recorded - so the RFQ becomes a real negotiation rather than a one-shot price.
4. The acceptance. The buyer accepts the proposal, sealing the agreed price.
5. The order. The accepted quote converts into a Shopify order with the negotiated prices, and you invoice and fulfill in Shopify.

A basic RFQ tool stops at stage one - a form that emails you the request. A full one runs all five, which is what turns a request-for-quote into a closed order.

Why B2B buyers use RFQs instead of checking out

Three reasons a business sends an RFQ rather than adding to cart:

• Volume pricing. They're buying enough that the retail price doesn't apply, and they expect a quote that reflects the quantity.
• Negotiation. B2B pricing is a conversation - they want to propose terms, not just accept a number.
• Process. Their own purchasing may require a documented quote with line pricing before they can raise a purchase order or get internal sign-off.

Meeting buyers with an RFQ flow instead of a fixed checkout matches how they actually buy - and captures the lead instead of sending them to email or a competitor.

How to add an RFQ flow to Shopify

You add request-for-quote to Shopify with a quote app that handles the whole loop. The setup is straightforward:

• Add a "Request a quote" button to products, the cart, or your whole catalog, placed in your theme as an app block - no separate site for buyers to learn. (See quote requests and forms.)
• Configure the quote form to capture what you need to price - quantity, company, delivery, target price, and your own custom fields.
• Hide retail prices for the buyers you target, so wholesale and trade buyers see "Request a quote" instead of "Add to cart" and send an RFQ rather than checking out.
• Let guests request a quote without an account, so you capture the lead and attach it to their customer account later.

The quote button and guest quoting are available on every QuotWay plan, including the free Lite plan; hiding prices and custom fields come in from Starter.

RFQ versus a plain contact form

A lot of "RFQ" solutions are just a contact form with a different label, and the difference shows up exactly where B2B deals are won:

• A contact form drops a message in your inbox. From there it's email - prices retyped, threads scattered, no record of what was agreed.
• A real RFQ flow turns the request into a structured quote you can price, negotiate with versioned counter-offers, and convert to a Shopify order - with one record of the whole exchange.

If you're evaluating tools, judge them on the whole loop, not the button. (The guide to what a B2B quote app is covers what to look for in more detail.)

From RFQ to a Shopify order

The payoff of an RFQ is a closed order, and the cleanest version converts without re-keying. When the buyer accepts, the quote becomes a native Shopify draft order carrying the negotiated prices exactly, and you invoice, take payment, and fulfill in Shopify like any other order. That native handoff - covered on the convert-to-orders page - is what keeps an RFQ from becoming a second system you reconcile by hand. The negotiation in the middle, where the real value sits, is covered in how to negotiate B2B prices without the email chain.

Getting started

If buyers are already emailing you for pricing, an RFQ flow simply gives those requests a structured home. QuotWay is a B2B quote and negotiation app for Shopify, built by EFOLI, that adds a request-a-quote button, captures the request, runs the negotiation with a versioned record, and converts the accepted quote to a Shopify draft order - all inside your existing store.

The free Lite plan runs the full request → negotiate → order loop (up to 10 quotes a month), so you can move your RFQs out of your inbox before paying anything; paid plans from $29/mo add hide-price, custom fields, buyer counter-offers, and more, each with a 14-day trial. See pricing for the breakdown.

FAQ

What is an RFQ on Shopify?

RFQ stands for request for quote - a business buyer asking for pricing on specific products and quantities instead of checking out at a listed price. On Shopify, an RFQ flow adds a "Request a quote" button so buyers submit what they need, you reply with a priced proposal, negotiate if necessary, and convert the accepted quote into a Shopify order. It's the same thing as a quote request.

How do I add a request-for-quote (RFQ) flow to Shopify?

Install a quote app such as QuotWay, then add its "Request a quote" app block to your products, cart, or catalog through the theme editor, and configure the quote form to capture the details you need to price. You can hide retail prices for the buyers you target so they send an RFQ instead of checking out. The quote button and guest quoting are on every plan, including the free Lite plan.

What's the difference between an RFQ and a quote request?

There is no real difference - they're two names for the same thing. "RFQ" (request for quote) is the procurement term; "request a quote" is the plainer one. Both mean a buyer asking for pricing on specific products and quantities before committing. A complete tool handles the full loop from the request through negotiation to a Shopify order, whichever name you use.

Is an RFQ app just a contact form?

Some are, and that's the trap. A plain contact form only drops a message in your inbox, leaving the pricing, negotiation, and order entry to manual email work. A real RFQ flow turns the request into a structured quote you can price, negotiate with versioned counter-offers, and convert to a native Shopify draft order - with one record of the whole exchange. Judge a tool on the full loop, not the form.

Can buyers send an RFQ without creating an account?

Yes, with QuotWay's guest quoting, which is available on every plan. A guest submits the request and confirms it with a quick email-verification step - no account required - and the quote attaches to their Shopify customer account later if they create one.