Again we have all kinds of speculations regarding sales, quotes,inquires, etc. It is very simple. Quotes are not sales but from a business aspect it shows activity and interest in your products. It is advertising and if a big blue chip company is requesting a quote why not publicize it. An order is a contract to buy your product not a sale A sale is recorded after you have shipped the item to the customer and it is billable item . All orders you have booked and not shipped is considered back log.
Quote -customer request for price .This is PR and advertising showing interest by consumers
A sale can be announced after customer places a purchase order. This is where confusion starts.
The real SALES are after you ship it out the door--doesn't have to be paid for but can be registered as a complete sale.It is a receivable but you can count toward sales for the year.Bottom line all these numbers are recorded in the financials and tell the story of the health of a company. Number of quotations, orders on hand. backlog etc--but number one is SALES Minus COSTS equal PROFIT