1
Enter the date, sender, and recipient details
Add today's date at the top of the letter, then fill in your full company name, address, and contact details. Enter the recipient's name, title, company, and address in the addressee block.
π‘ Use the recipient's full legal name and company name as they appear on the inquiry β mismatched names on a commercial letter delay follow-up and can create confusion if the letter is part of a contract chain.
2
Reference the original inquiry specifically
In the opening clause, note the date and method of the inquiry β email dated [DATE], phone call on [DATE], or web form submission reference [NUMBER]. This ties the letter to a specific commercial event.
π‘ If the inquiry was submitted via a form or CRM with a reference number, include it. That number becomes the thread linking the inquiry, the price list, and any resulting order.
3
Identify the enclosed price list by document reference and effective date
Give the price list a document reference number (e.g., PL-2026-001) and state its effective date clearly in the body of the letter. Confirm the currency and whether prices are inclusive or exclusive of tax.
π‘ Assign a new reference number every time you issue a revised price list β this prevents disputes about which version of pricing governed an order.
4
Set the price validity period
Insert the number of days the prices are guaranteed β 30, 60, or 90 days is standard. Calculate and print the expiry date explicitly so the recipient does not need to do the math.
π‘ In commodity or volatile-input industries, use 30-day validity. In stable markets, 60β90 days is acceptable and reduces the friction of repeated re-quoting.
5
Reference your standard terms and conditions
Name the terms document, state where it can be found (enclosed or URL), and include the binding language confirming that orders are governed by those terms.
π‘ If your terms are available on your website, add the exact URL and note the date the terms were last updated β this protects against a buyer claiming they could not find them.
6
Add any applicable discount or tier information
If the recipient qualifies for volume pricing, promotional rates, or a negotiated discount, state the conditions clearly and reference where they appear on the price list.
π‘ Never reference a discount verbally and then send a list without it. If a special price was discussed, annotate the price list directly and reference that annotation in the letter.
7
Write a clear call to action with contact details
Tell the recipient exactly how to proceed β place an order, schedule a call, or return a completed order form. Include the name and direct contact of the person handling the account.
π‘ Personalize this to the sales representative handling the inquiry β routing responses to a generic inbox introduces delay and reduces conversion rates.
8
Sign and dispatch with the price list attached
Sign the letter, scan or export as PDF alongside the price list, and send as a single combined document or clearly linked attachment. Retain a copy of the signed letter and price list in your CRM or document system.
π‘ Send the combined package as a single PDF rather than two separate files. A single file is harder to separate, keeps the cover letter with the price list in the recipient's records, and looks more professional.