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Buying guide

Bulk Textbook RFQ Template

A request for quotation (RFQ) lets you ask several suppliers for a price on the same list of books, so the answers are easy to compare. Use the template below for school, college and program orders of any size.

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What to put in your RFQ

ISBN-13
The exact ISBN-13 of every book. See how to order textbooks by ISBN.
Title and edition
Title, author and edition, so the supplier can double-check the ISBN.
Quantity
How many copies of each title, including any spares.
New or used
Say whether you accept used copies. Many schools require new.
Student or teacher edition
State which edition you need for each title, and whether you need workbooks or other extras.
Online access codes
Say whether the course needs an online access code, and ask each supplier what is included.
Delivery date and location
The date you need the books by and the delivery address or addresses, including the ZIP code.
Payment method
Say whether you will pay by purchase order and what your approval process needs.

Sample order line

Example
9781071817940 · Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches, 6th Edition · 60 copies · new · student edition · deliver by [date] to [school address, ZIP] · paying by purchase order. (Illustration only: replace with your own books and quantities.)

Before you send it

✓One row per ISBN, with the edition checked
✓Final quantities agreed with the department
✓Delivery date and address included
✓New or used and access-code needs stated
✓The same list sent to every supplier you compare

Ready to request a quote?

Send your list through our bulk quote option, or browse wholesale textbooks. At Global Academic Supply most titles start at 5 copies with price steps at higher quantities, shipping is free on every order, and books arrive brand new, shrink-wrapped and well protected.

More guides: Bulk Textbook Buying Guide, Bulk Textbook Pricing Explained, Purchase Orders & Tax-Exempt Buying.

Frequently asked questions

What is an RFQ for textbooks? +
An RFQ, or request for quotation, is a written request you send to one or more suppliers listing exactly what you want to buy, so each supplier can send you a price you can compare directly.
When should I send an RFQ instead of ordering online? +
For standard quantities you can order online. An RFQ makes sense for large orders, orders across many titles or several delivery locations, or when your institution needs a formal quote for approval. For 100 or more copies of a title at Global Academic Supply, use the bulk quote option.
What should an RFQ include? +
The ISBN-13, title and edition for every book, the quantity of each, any new or used requirement, the delivery date and location, and whether you will pay by purchase order. Add teacher editions, workbooks or access codes if you need them.
How do I compare quotes fairly? +
Send every supplier the same RFQ, then compare the price per copy at your quantity, shipping, delivery time and whether the ISBN and edition match your list. See our guide to bulk textbook pricing.
Do I need to say whether the books need online access codes? +
Yes. If your course needs an online access code, say so in the RFQ and check with each supplier what is included, because a print book alone may not come with one.