Buying Guide
How to mark inquiry-only products before catalog import
By Cusket Editorial · Published · Updated
Not every catalog product should show a price or checkout path. This guide helps suppliers classify products before import.
# How to mark inquiry-only products before catalog import
Not every product in a supplier catalog should become a public checkout listing. Some products need configuration, custom artwork, compatibility confirmation, buyer location, compliance review, or current material pricing before the seller can quote accurately. These products can still be valuable online, but they should be marked inquiry-only before catalog import.
Inquiry-only is not a weakness. For complex B2B products, it is often the most honest way to create a useful buyer page.
Decide what can be priced publicly
Start by separating products into four groups: public price, inquiry-only, draft-only, and do not import. Public-price products have stable unit economics and clear variants. Inquiry-only products are active but need buyer context. Draft-only products need cleanup before anyone sees them. Do-not-import products are discontinued, private, unsupported, or not rights-cleared.
This classification prevents old catalog material from becoming public by accident.
Use inquiry-only for configurable products
Products with many configuration variables usually need inquiry. Examples include custom packaging, private-label cosmetics, industrial components, replacement parts, machinery, printed goods, furniture, and workwear. The listing should still show useful facts: available materials, size ranges, customization options, sample path, MOQ range, lead time range, and what the buyer should provide.
The buyer should not land on a blank "contact us" page. They should understand why inquiry is needed and what information will make the quote faster.
Keep price-sensitive fields private
Some suppliers do not want public prices because costs change, buyers negotiate by volume, or regional sales rules differ. In that case, remove private prices from the import file or mark them as internal. The product draft can still include MOQ, sample availability, and price tier logic without showing exact numbers.
This is safer than publishing outdated or guessed prices.
Make inquiry-only pages actionable
An inquiry-only listing should end with a clear next step. Ask the buyer for the right details: quantity, destination country, required date, customization needs, artwork file, model compatibility, certification requirement, or sample request.
When inquiry pages collect structured buyer context, they create better leads for the seller and fewer back-and-forth messages.
Continue with Cusket:
- Classify catalog products before import.
- Use inquiry-only status for products that need buyer context.
- Connect inquiry-ready pages to /products, /search, and /guides.