Here are a few techniques we have figured out to minimize inquiries.  (Learned too late to reduce the present inquiries.)

(1)  We pull our own scores and frankly discuss them with anyone we anticipate doing business with.  They can tell us if it meets their standards.  If not, we move on and we don't have the aggravation of having another unfruitful inquiry.  For example, lately we have been looking at an equipment lease and commercial property lease.

(2)Based on which score is the best (Equifax for me) we ask which reporting agency is used, and choose the company who utilizes that score, or will if asked.  We must be the only ones doing that based on the responses we get.  But I think we ought to know.  No reason to be unpleasantly surprised!

(3)  Ask the company to do a soft pull instead of a hard pull.  Perhaps they will have to do a hard pull eventually, but make sure the deal is sealed first.

Hope this helps others!  Be proactive, not helpless victims of this corrupt, out of control credit reporting system (scam).