You need just 5–20 precision parts. The specs are clear. But your RFQs are getting ignored—or answered days later with a vague rejection or padded price. You’re not just waiting—you’re losing time you don’t have.
Shops skip low-volume RFQs because they don’t want them. The setup time isn’t worth the low profit. Unless your request looks fast and friction-free, it gets buried or ghosted.The fix: make quoting easy and show you’re worth their time.
This post shows why low-volume RFQs get ignored, what signals real shops look for, and how to structure your request for fast, serious replies—no matter the quantity.
Table of Contents
Why do some suppliers ignore low-volume RFQs for precision parts?
Because they don’t want them.
Most precision shops run at tight margins and limited capacity. A request for 5, 10, or 20 parts doesn’t excite them—it signals setup time, programming effort, and inspection work with almost no payoff. If they can spend the same machine time on a 500-piece job or recurring production, that low-volume RFQ becomes a distraction.
Even worse, most low-volume requests are missing context: Is this a one-time prototype or the start of something bigger? Is it urgent or exploratory? If your RFQ doesn’t make the job seem easy or worth it, many shops won’t bother replying.
And when they do reply, the quote is often inflated—not because they want the job, but because they want you to walk away.
Many shops also make snap decisions based on your drawing and email. If the part looks tight-tolerance, high-polish, or made from exotic material—with no sign of urgency or follow-up potential—it gets screened out fast. Your quote isn’t rejected later. It’s never opened.
If your current supplier routinely delays or dodges small-volume quotes, it’s a sign they’re not built for flexibility—or not that interested in your business.
Sourcing Insight :Low-volume RFQs often get ignored because they look like low-value work. To get real attention, show that your part is fast to set up, clean to run, or part of a larger program—and make that clear upfront.
How much does quantity affect pricing and shop responsiveness?
A lot more than most engineers realize.
For CNC shops, quoting 2 parts vs 200 isn’t just a pricing change—it’s a mindset shift. Low-volume jobs involve the same setup, programming, and inspection work, but spread over fewer parts. That means higher per-unit cost, tighter margins, and more risk.
Shops also triage based on payoff. If they have limited machine capacity, your small order gets pushed aside for jobs that keep machines running for hours—not minutes. It’s not personal—it’s throughput economics.
Some suppliers quote high on purpose, padding in “nuisance margin” because they’d rather not take the job—but still want to keep the door open.
For example, if you RFQ 10 parts and see quotes ranging from $80 to $300 each, the spread usually reflects shop preference—not your design.
If this keeps happening, you’re not just seeing price differences—you’re seeing which suppliers don’t want your business.
Sourcing Insight: Low-volume parts always carry higher per-unit cost—but big quote gaps usually reflect shop mindset. Prototype-ready shops quote cleanly and fast. High-volume shops stall, pad, or ghost. If your current supplier does the latter, it’s time to switch.
Why did my supplier say my tolerances are “not economical”?
Because they likely aren’t—for them.
Tight tolerances increase machining time, tool wear, inspection labor, and scrap risk. For shops not set up for high-precision work, even ±0.05 mm can feel like a burden. Instead of admitting capability limits, many shops just say your tolerances are “not economical”—and walk away.
Some will no-quote you entirely. Others send back inflated pricing, hoping you’ll either accept the cost or take the hint and disappear.
Often, the real issue isn’t the tolerance itself—it’s that the shop sees tight tolerances + low volume + unfamiliar material as a no-win project.
For example, adding ±0.01 mm tolerances across all faces—even non-critical ones—can trigger rejection, even if only one surface truly matters.
Better suppliers will ask: “Where can we open this up?” Worse ones just disappear.
Sourcing Insight: When a shop says your tolerances are “not economical,” it often means they’re unwilling—or unable—to handle the spec. Good shops flag tolerances that drive cost and suggest changes. Ghosting or vague pushback is a signal to move on.
Tired of waiting for RFQ responses?
we specialize in low-volume, high-precision parts with response times under 48 hours. Upload your drawing now and we’ll review for manufacturability — no ghosting.
How does material choice affect quote turnaround time?
Material isn’t just a line item—it sets quoting speed.
Exotics like Inconel, PEEK, copper alloys, or hardened steels trigger extra checks: stock availability, tooling/speeds, fixturing, cooling, and inspection. That review alone can add 1–3 business days before a shop commits to price and lead time.
Delays also come from ambiguity. “Aluminum” or “steel” without a grade stalls pricing because the shop can’t pick material cost, cutters, or parameters. Even common grades move faster when you state the exact spec (e.g., 6061‑T6, 304 SS), temper, and any cert requirements.
Risk matters too. Tight tolerances plus unfamiliar material looks like high effort, low reward—especially for 5–20 pieces. Many shops will pad the quote or silently deprioritize.
What to do:
- Specify exact grade/temper and acceptable alternates.
- Say whether substitutions are OK (e.g., 303 vs 304 for non-welded parts).
- Flag only the critical tight-tolerance features.
- Add timing: “Quote by 48 hours, ship target 10 business days.”
Benchmark: For common grades, responsive shops acknowledge within 24 hours and price within 48–72 hours. Longer with no explanation = wrong shop.
Sourcing Insight: Clear grades and realistic alternates speed quotes. If a supplier drifts past 72 hours on standard materials or hesitates without reasons, switch to one that publishes material capabilities and confirms stock fast.
What’s missing from my RFQ that’s causing quote delays?
It’s rarely the geometry—it’s the uncertainty. Shops won’t price what they can’t see or confirm.
Your RFQ should include, at minimum:
- PDF drawing with tolerances and callouts
- STEP file for toolpath/DFM review
- Material grade and surface finish
- Quantity (note splits: 10/50)
- Delivery target (e.g., “need parts in 10 business days”)
- Any inspection/cert needs (e.g., CMM report, RoHS)
Missing any of these forces follow‑ups many shops won’t make—especially for low volumes. Lack of context kills priority too. If the shop can’t tell whether this is a prototype, fit check, or pre‑production, your RFQ looks like a time sink.
What to do:
- State the use case and urgency (“prototype, install test next Friday”).
- Identify critical features vs “nice to have.”
- Give a quote deadline (e.g., “Please quote by 5pm Thursday”).
Vendor filter: Good suppliers either quote or tell you exactly what’s missing within 24–48 hours. Silence or vague delays are a switching signal.
Sourcing Insight: Complete, context‑rich RFQs rise to the top. If your current shop won’t explain blockers or request missing info promptly, you’re training them to ignore you—move on.
What’s the best way to send an RFQ for a low-volume project?
Low-volume RFQs get judged in seconds. A bare email with a drawing reads like spam; busy shops deprioritize it.
Frame it like a real project:
- Subject: “RFQ – 10 pcs 6061 bracket – quote by Thu 5pm”
- Open with context: Prototype, fit check, or pilot build; any install or test date.
- Attach clean files: PDF + STEP. No screenshots.
- Specs that matter: Exact material/finish; only critical tight tolerances.
- Quantities & timing: 10 now, 50 later? Target ship date?
- Future work: Honest signal of potential repeats (even “TBD if tests pass”).
- Switching note (optional): “Current vendor delayed; need backup.”
Benchmarks:
- Acknowledge within 24 hours.
- Priced proposal in 48–72 hours for common materials/finishes.
- Clear questions if anything blocks quoting.
If you consistently meet this standard and still get ghosted or padded, the shop isn’t built for short runs—don’t wait them out.
Sourcing Insight: Packaging equals priority. A crisp, contextual RFQ with files, timelines, and criticals gets answered first. If a supplier ignores that level of clarity, choose one optimized for low‑volume responsiveness.
Red flags that a CNC shop will ghost your low-volume RFQ
Ghosting isn’t random—it’s predictable. Shops that regularly ignore small-run RFQs usually show early warning signs.
Red flags include:
- No RFQ confirmation or reply within 24 hours
- Repeated delays on small quotes but quick responses for higher-volume ones
- Refusal to answer tolerance/material capability questions
- Quotes that arrive 4–5 days late with vague pricing or long lead times
- No feedback when they no-quote—just silence
These signals tell you: your job isn’t a priority. That’s not always a capability issue—it’s often a business model mismatch. Many shops are structured for production work, not fast-turn prototypes or sub-50-piece orders.
Some shops quote high to signal disinterest. Others accept the RFQ, then quietly drop it when larger jobs come in. Either way, it creates dead time in your sourcing process.
Quote-stage benchmark: A capable shop will reply within 24 hours, quote within 48–72 hours, or clearly explain if they’re not the right fit.
Sourcing Insight: RFQ silence is a signal, not a mystery. If your supplier consistently delays, avoids questions, or leaves you guessing, they’re not built for low-volume responsiveness. Replace them before your project falls behind.
How long should a precision CNC quote actually take?
For straightforward parts with common materials and finishes, you should expect a quote in 2–3 business days—faster if the supplier specializes in low-volume work.
Complex parts with tight tolerances, exotic materials, or multiple finishing steps may require more time—but good shops still respond fast with questions or timeline expectations.
What causes quotes to stretch beyond 4–5 days?
- The shop is overloaded or not prioritizing your RFQ
- They’re unfamiliar with the material or spec
- They’re waiting on external suppliers (e.g. for anodizing quotes)
- Or they’re hoping you’ll go away without them having to say no
Silence or unexplained delay beyond 3 business days is a red flag—especially when you’ve provided clear files and specs. If they can’t even acknowledge receipt or request clarification, they’re not invested.
Capability check: Ask how fast they typically quote low-volume prototypes. If they can’t commit to 72 hours or less—or dodge the question—that’s your answer.
Sourcing Insight: A responsive supplier doesn’t just deliver parts fast—they quote fast, too. If you’re chasing updates or waiting 5+ days for basic feedback, it’s time to switch vendors.
Should I expect DFM feedback before quoting low-volume parts?
Yes—if the supplier wants your business.
Good shops treat quoting as a chance to assess risk early. That means reviewing your drawings for tolerance traps, undercut features, thin walls, or material mismatches. Even for small orders, capable shops will flag red zones before they quote—or during quoting.
What does that look like?
- They ask, “Is ±0.01 mm required on non-mating faces?”
- They highlight a feature that requires a custom tool or EDM
- They suggest a cheaper alternate finish or material that meets function
- They call out wall thickness or aspect ratio risks
Shops that quote without any questions—even on tight-tolerance parts—aren’t helping you reduce risk. And if they say nothing, then complain later during machining or inspection, that’s a trust issue.
Even on a 10-piece run, DFM is part of quoting—because setup and scrap risk matters more when there’s no buffer.
Quote-stage benchmark: DFM-aware suppliers usually raise questions within 24–48 hours of RFQ if they see issues. No questions + high pricing = disengagement.
Sourcing Insight: If a supplier never flags risk, tolerances, or cost trade-offs—even once—you’re flying blind. Look for shops that treat quoting as a collaboration, not a transaction.
What to do when you need a backup supplier for low-volume precision parts?
If your current supplier is slow to quote, vague on delivery, or ghosting your RFQs entirely—you don’t have time to wait. You need a backup supplier who can move fast and handle short runs without hesitation.
But not every shop is built for this. Many production-oriented vendors deprioritize small orders or demand high MOQs to stay profitable. Others quote fast but miss deadlines—or worse, reject your part after accepting the job.
To qualify a backup quickly, look for shops that:
- Specialize in low-volume or prototype work
- Publicly show quoting speed (e.g. “quotes in 48 hours”)
- Accept common materials without sourcing delays
- Offer DFM feedback during quoting, not after rejection
- Can ship within 5–10 business days, not just promise it
Also: avoid onboarding vendors who say yes to everything. The best backup suppliers ask questions—they want clean drawings, real specs, and to confirm that expectations are aligned.
Send your current files to 2–3 suppliers with this message:
“We’re looking for a responsive backup for 5–20 piece projects. Quote speed, communication, and on-time delivery matter most. Let us know if this is a fit.”
Sourcing Insight: A real backup supplier doesn’t just quote fast—they prove they’re ready to step in without drama. If your current vendor delays or disappears, have a vetted option ready before the next RFQ stalls your project.
Conclusion
When your low-volume RFQs get ignored, delayed, or overpriced, it’s not your part—it’s your supplier. At Okdor, we specialize in fast, responsive quoting for short-run precision parts. Upload your rejected drawings today—we’ll assess them immediately and get you a quote within 24 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. We review all drawings during quoting—not after. If we spot tolerance overkill, machining risks, or unnecessary cost drivers, we’ll flag them right away. That saves you time and prevents unexpected rejections or pricing changes after the PO.
Yes. If you already have parts made, we’ll match materials, finishes, and tolerances based on drawings or samples. We’ll review specs and confirm if everything can be replicated exactly—so your new batch fits without surprises.
Responsive suppliers quote within 24–48 hours, flag tolerance or material risks early, and confirm delivery windows clearly. If you're waiting 4–5 days with no reply, or getting vague answers and padded quotes, you're likely working with the wrong type of shop.
No. We quote one-offs and small batches without requiring repeat orders. Whether it’s a prototype, urgent stopgap, or test build, we support it with full quoting attention and delivery speed. Commitment comes later—if the project scales.
If you’ve already lost time, we’ll quote within 24 hours and ship most low-volume parts in 5–10 business days. Tell us your delivery goal—we’ll fast-track the review and confirm timelines before you commit. We’re used to taking over mid-project when others drop out.
Yes. We regularly quote jobs from 1–100 pieces and hold tolerances down to ±0.01 mm. If your supplier said no, send us your files—we’ll assess feasibility and quote within 24 hours. No vague rejections or padded prices just to make you walk away.
