Replies to enquiries and offers

__________________________ Chapter _____________________________

V

ОТВЕТЫ НА ЗАПРОСЫ И ПРЕДЛОЖЕНИЯ

Replies to enquiries provide for¹ a high percentage of business letters. Many firms make it a point² to answer enquiries the very³ day they are received, giving them precedence over⁴ all other letters. Even if drawing up⁵ the requested offer takes several days, they send the customer a first reply as soon as possible. It must be taken into account that the client may need the goods rather urgently and that he has written more than one letter. Of course he will consider⁶ those replies first that come first.

One should be especially tactful if for some reason or other one cannot comply with⁷ the request of the would-be⁸ customer. In any case one should do one's best in order not to rebuff⁹ him. One may draw his attention to other lines of trade. They ought to be equivalent, of course.

NOTES

1. to provide for                          — зд. составлять (процент)

2. to make it a point                    — придавать большое значение

3. the very day                           — в тот же день

4. to give smth precedence over     — рассматривать что-либо в пер-

вую очередь

5. to draw up v                              — зд. давать подробный (конк-

ретный) ответ

6. to consider и                            — рассмотреть

7. to comply with the request          — исполнить просьбу

8. would-be adj                             — претендующий на

a would-be customer                 — возможный покупатель

9. to rebuff v                                — категорически отказывать

 

[

We thank you for your enquiry of... We acknowledge with thanks receipt of your enquiry of... for...

Many thanks for your kind enquiry of... concerning...

The matter is receiving our

(

careful attention and we hope to send you our proposal (quotation) at an early date

We are contacting the

manufacturers of... and will advise you immediately upon receipt of their reply

We have forwarded your enquiry to...

We thank you for your enquiry dated... but regret to inform you that...

Благодарим за Ваш запрос от...

С благодарностью подтверждаем получение Вашего запроса от... касательно...

Благодарим за Ваш запрос от... касательно...

Вопрос внимательно изучается (прорабатывается) нами, и мы надеемся вскоре выслать Вам наше предложение (котировку)

Мы поддерживаем связь

с производителями (чего-то) и немедленно сообщим Вам об их ответе

Мы переслали Ваш запрос (куда-либо)

Благодарим за Ваш запрос, от..., но вынуждены сообщить, что...

 

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43

WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS SPECIFYING THE NATURE OF THE OFFER

This offer is firm (valid) until            Это December 31^st,...                             i This offer is firm for immediate        Это acceptance, otherwise without                                                   с engagement                                  j с This offer is firm for acceptance       Это by telegram arriving before               r tomorrow noon                              г I Our offer is subject to final                                                   Наи confirmation                                                  e

sold him the goods at the price and on the terms indicated in the offer.

It goes without saying⁹ that offers should be made out very carefully. They should contain:

1) Exact quantities, measurements, weights.

2) The quality of the goods (chemical analysis, performance¹⁰, material, brand¹¹, etc.).

3) The method of transport, if there are several possibilities.

4) The exact date of delivery or time of delivery (e.g.: Our articles will be delivered ex works by the 30^th May,... Delivery can be effected six weeks after the receipt of your order, etc.).

5) The terms of payment, for instance:

 

— payment in advance¹²,

— cash¹³ payment,

— payment by letter of credit (L/C),

— document against payment (D/P)¹⁴,

— payment on receipt of goods¹⁵,

— payment with clearing agreement.

The currency¹⁶ in which payment is to be effected, the bank with which you work, the place of payment, etc. should be stipulated.

6) The terms of delivery define what the price actually includes
and stipulate the mutual obligations¹⁷ of the seller and the buyer.
The most usual terms of delivery are F.O.B. (Free on Board), F.O.R.¹⁸
(Free on Rail), C.I.F. (Cost, Insurance, Freight), C.&F.¹⁹ (Cost and
Freight) and others. The question of delivery terms is dealt with
more extensively in the chapter concerning the transportation
documents (Chapter XVII).

NOTES

 

1.	solicited offer	— требуемое предложение
2.	to make out v	— составлять, выписывать
3.	to fall into v	— подразделяться
4.	a firm (binding) offer	— твердое предложение
5.	offer without engagement	— предложение без обязательств
6.	in full	— полностью

 

7. several

8. acceptance n

9. it goes without saying

10. performance n

11. brand n

12. payment in advance

13. cash n payment in cash

14. document against payment (D/P)

15. payment on receipt of goods

16. currency n

17. mutual obligations

18. F.O.R. (Free on Rail)

19. C.&F. (Cost & Freight)

 

— несколько

— акцептование, принятие

— разумеется, безусловно

— характеристика работы машины, эксплуатационные качества

— сорт, качество, марка

— плата авансом

— наличные деньги

— плата наличными

— оплата по документам

— плата по получении товара

— валюта

— взаимные обязательства

— с погрузкой в вагон, франко-вагон {вид условий доставки)

— стоимость и фрахт (вид условий доставки)

Это предложение остается в силе до 31-го декабря...

Это предложение является окончательным при немед­ленном акцепте, в противном случае — без обязательств

Это предложение окончательно при условии акцепта теле­граммой, прибывающей до полудня завтрашнего дня

Наше предложение входит в силу после подтверждения

 

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45

EXAMPLES OF LETTERS

1. Reply to enquiry — price list sent.

Dear Sirs,

Your Enquiry of March 23^rd, 2...

We thank you for your letter of March 23^rd from which we gather¹ that you are interested in "Sever" Biscuit Products.

We have pleasure, therefore, in enclosing our up-to-date price list for this line. The prices are quoted net², no discount being granted³. You will receive three catalogues under separate cover.

We trust our offer will appeal⁴ to you and look forward to your reply with interest.

Yours faithfully, Enclosure

2. Reply to enquiry — proforma invoice sent.

Gentlemen:

Your Enquiry of July 3,2...

Our factory, "Lenpribor", sent us your above enquiry for further attention. We enclose a proforma invoice showing all details required.

Unfortunately, the relative catalogue is at present available in Russian only. That is why the proforma invoice is accompanied by a prospectus covering C0₂ Recorders, which may prove helpful.

We are confident that our offer will induce you to send us your order soon.

Yours faithfully, Enclosure

3. Reply to enquiry — offer sent.

Dear Sirs,

Offer of VEB Geratebau Babelsberg

Referring to your letter of 15^th January we send you an offer of VEB Geratebau Babelsberg.

The price indicated is understood net ex works. On this price we grant you a wholesale discount of twenty per cent.

The total amount of USD 5,000.00 is quoted CIF St. Petersburg.

We trust to have served you with our offer and should be pleased to receive your order soon.

Yours faithfully, Enclosure

4. Offer of document cases.

Dear Sirs,

Document Cases⁵ from Russia

We thank you for your enquiry of the 12^th June concerning Document Cases.

We are pleased to send you an offer for our Documents Cases models 440 and 330. You will notice that the price list states delivery about ten weeks after receipt of order. We should like to add that the first consignment⁶ could be despatched⁷ in August,...

Two sample Document Cases have been sent to you separately so that you may convince yourself of the good quality of our products. We take it that you will like our articles, and look forward to your orders.

Yours faithfully, Enclosure

5. Supplier apologizing for not being able to offerrequiredgoods.

Dear Sirs,

Cotton Drill⁸

We refer to your letter of 3^rd May from which we take that you are interested in an offer for Cotton Drill up to the attached sample.

To our regret we have to inform you that the production of our mills is fully booked up⁹ to the end of this year.

We can deliver Poplin, however, in the forth quarter of the year..., and should welcome your order.

Yours faithfully,

 

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47

6. Offer of poplin.

Dear Sirs,

Offer of Poplin — 100% Cotton

We are glad to offer you on behalf of¹⁰ "Lentextil" the following Poplin qualities:

Quality A 26 90 cm width, warp: Ne 70/2

120 grms./sqm., weft: Ne 70/2. Price: About USD 250

Quality В 15 90 cm width, warp: Ne 38/2

145 grms./sqm., weft: Ne 30/1. Price: About USD 120

The prices are quoted per metre FOB St. Petersburg and will be finally settled¹¹ after we have received your order.

We have enclosed samples in various shades¹² and trust that our offer may prove interesting.

Yours faithfully,

7. Offer of household soap.

Dear Sirs,

Household¹³ Soap from Germany

We are informed by our St. Petersburg office that you are interested in 2,000 cases Household Soap packed in cases containing 200 pieces, each piece weighting 150 grams. For this reason we take the liberty to enclose the latest price list for PATINA, ZITZA and RUMBO stating all particulars¹⁴. We shall send you by separate mail some samples for inspection.

Weights, sizes, and brands can be produced in conformity with¹⁵ your special requirements. As far as we know, the trade mark of "Kangaroo" is protected¹⁶. We shall ascertain¹⁷ that and inform you. If this brand is not free any more, we should have to ask you to choose another one.

As the demand is very heavy this year, it would be in your own interest to send your orders as soon as possible. We understand that smaller quantities can still be delivered at the end of July.

Yours faithfully, Enclosure

8. Offer of equipment, with standard General Conditions of Sale.

Dear Sirs,

We thank you for your enquiry of the 28^th May... and have pleasure in offering you the equipment specified below on the terms and conditions stated herein¹⁸ including those printed on the reverse¹⁹ side of this tender.

Specifications: One Portable Cone-Crusher²⁰ Mod. LBM-15, coupled with²¹ an electric motor mounted on a welded frame²², designed for use in the preliminary stage of the ore-concentration process²³.

Capacity²⁴ — 4 tn/min Speed — 700 r.p.m. Weight—1.8 tn Overall dimensions²⁵:

Length — 2,500 mm Width —1,500 mm Height—1,800 mm The Cone-Crusher is delivered with Electric Motor A.C. Three-Phase, 50 cycles, 400/440 volts, a Starting Rheostat and a standard set of spare parts and accessories²⁶.

Price: The total price of the Cone-Crusher with the electric motor, spare parts and accessories is... C.I.F. Melbourne including packing in three strong boxes treated²⁷ in accordance with Australian rules and requirements.

Payment: By an irrevocable, confirmed and divisible²⁸ Letter of Credit to be valid for 90 days.

Shipment: Within 12 weeks of the date of signing the contract.

Validity of Tender: The Tender is open for acceptance within 30 days of the date of its issue.

Should you find²⁹ the above data insufficient in any respect, we shall be glad to send any further information you may desire.

Yours faithfully,

 

48

49

order. Should the equipment prove to be defective during the guarantee period, the Sellers undertake to replace or repair any defective part free of charge. The guarantee shall not apply to normal wear or damage caused by importer storage, inadequate or careless maintenance. WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS

General Conditions of Sale

(Reverse Side of the Offer)

1. Acceptance: The acceptance of this tender includes the acceptance of the following terms and conditions unless³⁰ there is a special agreement to the contrary in respect of any of them.

2. Validity: No order shall be binding on the Sellers until confirmed by them in writing. The tender may be withdrawn or the price and/or the terms quoted may be altered in any respect before the order has been received and accepted by the Sellers.

 

3. Quality: Unless otherwise specified, the quality of the goods shall be in conformity with the corresponding Russian Standards or in the absence of such standards with the technical specifications adopted by the manufacturing plant and confirmed by Certificates of Quality. The Sellers receive the right without special consent of the Buyers to introduce alterations of minor importance which do not affect materially the quality and the price of the goods.

4. Price: The price includes the cost of a standard set of spare parts if such parts are required. Erection costs³¹ or technical service, if any, are not included in the price and will be charged extra³².

5. Delivery: The tender is made subject to prior sale. The time indicated for shipment shall be reckoned from the date of the contract or of the Sellers' confirmation of the order. The date of delivery shall be considered for land transport — the date on which the goods pass the Russian border and for sea transport — the date of the Bill of Lading.

6. Payment: Unless some other arrangement is made, payment shall be effected by an irrevocable, confirmed and divisible Letter of Credit to be established by the Buyers in favour of the Sellers with the Bank for Foreign Trade of Russia, Moscow, within 15 days of receipt of the Sellers' notification of the readiness of the goods for shipment.

Unless otherwise specified, the Letter of Credit is to be valid for 90 days, all Bank charges being³³ at the expense of the Buyers.

7. Guarantee: The technical data given by the Sellers and the
high quality and normal operation of the equipment are guaranteed
for the period stated in the contract or in Sellers' confirmation of the

1. to gather v

2. net price

3. to grant discounts

no discounts being granted

4. to appeal to smb v

5. document case

6. consignment n

7. to despatch v

8. cotton drill

9. to be booked up

10. on behalf of

11. to settle prices

12. shade n

in various shades

13. soap n

14. particular n

15. in conformity with

16. is protected

17. to ascertain v

18. herein adv

19. on the reverse side

20. cone-crusher n

21. coupled with

22. welded frame

 

— зд. приходить к заключению

— цена нетто, цена после вычета всех скидок

 

— делать скидки

— без скидки

— интересовать, привлекать

— портфель для документов,
«кейс»

— партия товаров

— отправлять, посылать

— текстил. бумажный тик

— быть закупленным (проданным)

— от имени

— согласовывать цены

— оттенок,тон

— различных оттенков

— мыло

— частность, подробность

— в соответствии с

— защищена

— удостовериться, убедиться

— здесь, при сем

— с обратной стороны

— дробилка

— соединенный с

— сварная рама (корпус)

 

50

51

23. ore-concentration process

24. capacity n

25. overall dimensions

26. accessories n

27. treated adj

28. divisible adj

29. Should you find... = If you should find...

30. unless conj

31. erection cost

32. will be charged extra

33....all Bank charges being...

 

— обогащение руд

— мощность, производительность

— габаритные (предельные) раз­меры

— принадлежности

— обработанный

— делимый

— Если вы найдете...

— если не

— стоимость монтажа

— за особую плату, будет назна­чена особая плата

—... и все банковские расходы производятся...