Lecture Commercial Correspondence: Unit 3 - Nguyễn Mai Hương (p1)

 Lecture "Commercial Correspondence - Unit 3: Enquiries and replies to enquiries" to give students the knowledge: Defining, reasons to write an enquiry, general guidelines in writing enquiries, asking for details; asking for goods on approval, or on sale or return,... Invite you to refer to the disclosures.

Unit 3

Enquiries and Replies to

Enquiries

First enquiry: Tell your supplier what sort of 

organization you are

•We are a co­operative wholesale society based in  Zurich

•Our company is a subsidiary of Universal Business  Machines and we specialized in …

•We are one of the main producers of industrial 

chemicals in Germany, and we are interested in…

First enquiry: Tell your supplier how did you know them

First enquiry: Tell your supplier how did you know them

•We were impressed by the selection of 

gardening tools displayed on your stand at this 

year’s Hamburg Gardening Exhibition.

•Our associates in the packaging industry speak  highly of your Zeta packing machines, and we 

would like to have more information about 

them.

stocks. We are particularly interested in …

• I have seen one of your safes in the office of a  local firm and they passed on your address to 

me. Please send me a copy of your current 

catalogue. I am particularly interested in 

safes suitable for a small office.

• Could you please send your current catalogue  and price list for exhibition stands? We are 

particularly interested in stands suitable for 

displaying furniture.

Suggesting terms, methods of payment, and  discounts

Asking for goods on approval, or on sale or  return

Asking for goods on approval, or on sale or  return

• In the catalogue we received from you last 

week, we saw that you are introducing a new 

line in synthetic furs… We would like to try a 

selection of designs. Would it be possible for  you to supply us with a range on an approval 

basis to see if we can encourage a demand? 

Three months would probably be enough to 

establish a market if there is one.

 Indicate certain terms or guarantees

• Finally, we would like to point out that delivery  before Christmas is essential, and hope that 

Practice 1

2. We saw your products demonstrated (on 

display) at the trade fair earlier this year, and 

we would like to have more information about  them.

 to have more information about

 to know more about

Practice 2

1. Please send me a copy of your latest catalogue 

and current price list of fax machines, together  with copies of any illustrated leaflets so that I 

could pass them to our prospective (potential)  customers.

 so that I can pass them to sb

 in order that I could deliver them to …

Practice 2

2. I have a large hardware store in Southampton 

and am interested in the electric heaters you  are advertising in the West Country Gazette Please send me your illustrated catalogue and  price list.

 …heaters which you are advertising in  the 

West Country Gazette.

 …heaters (which are being) advertised in …

Practice 3

2. We are interested in your terms of payment 

and discounts offered for regular purchases  and large (substantial) orders.

Practice 4

3. We are interested in your men’s and women’s  ready­made clothing for immediate shipment.  Could you please send us samples of these 

items and let us know details of your prices 

and terms of payment.

Practice 5

Dear Sirs

Your trade association informed us that you are manufacturers of polyester cotton bed

sheets and pillow cases.

We are dealers in textiles and believe there is

a promising market in our area for moderately priced goods of this kind.

•you manufacture bed sheets …

•We deal in … for this kind of goods with

Practice 5

Please let me have details of your various

ranges including sizes, colours and prices,

together with samples of the different qualities

of material used.

Please state your terms of payment and

discounts allowed on purchases of (quantities of) 500 items or more Prices quoted should include delivery to our address shown above (… not less than 500 items)

Your prompt reply would be appreciated.