Asking for information

Opening lines

1) Your name has been given us by the Btitish Chamber of Commerce in Hamburg...

2) The British Embassy has advised us to get in touch with you concerning...

3) We saw your products demonstrated at the Hanover Fair earlier this year, and would like to know whether...

4) Messrs. Rawlingson and Townsend of Bletchley, who we understand have been doing business with you for some years, inform us that you may be able to supply us with...

5) We have seen your advertisement in last Sunday's Observer, and would be grateful if you would let us have details of...

6) Your advertisement in this month's issue of The Shoemaker states that you can offer...

Indicating the state of the market

1) There is a brisk demand here for high-guality sports shirts of the type you manufacture.

2) Demand for this type of machine is not high, but sales this year will probably exceed $25, 000.

3) These fancy goods are in demand during the tourist season, but for the rest of the year sales are moderate, and often rather low.

4) There is no market here for articles of this type in the higher price ranges, but less expensive models sell very well throughout the year.

5) You can count on a brisk turnover if prices are competitive and deliveries prompt.

Asking for information

1) Will you please send us your catalogue in duplicate and price list for...

2) We would be glad to receive specifications of your new SE11 typewriter, together with your current export prices and details of trade discounts.

3) We are also interested in your terms of payment and in discounts offered for regular purchases and large orders.

мет

The word " term" in the singular form means «срок, период (т. е.
какой-либо промежуток времени)», while the same word used
in the plural form (terms) has the meaning of «условия (постав-
ки, платежа)». _________________________________________

Exercises

Exercise L Read and translate the following letters from English into Russian:

1)

W. JONES AND SONS LTD. 285 Queen Street London, E.C. 4

10^th January 19...

ABC,

Moscow, Russia

Dear Sirs:

We learn from your representative that you are producing for export woolen hand-made carpets.

There is a steady demand here for high class goods of this type.

Will you please send us your catalogue and full details of your export prices and terms of payment.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,

W. Jones

2)

May 29, 19...

Glaston Menswear Ltd. 54-59 Riverside Cardiff CF1 IJV

Attention: Sales Manager

Dear Sirs:

We are interested in the sweaters that we have seen here on your stand at the " Menswear Exhibition".

We are big importers of menswear and we are looking for a manufacturer who can supply us with a wide range of sweaters for men.

As we usually place large orders, we expect a quantity discount, and our terms of payment are for collection.

If you agree to these conditions and you can meet orders of over 1000 sweaters at one time, please send us your current catalogue and price-list.

We hope to hear from you soon.

Yours sincerely,

L. Sidorov, General Director, " ABC import"

mm

Russian words indicating the position (title) of an officer may be rendered into English in the following way: директор — director (manager);

генеральный ~~ — General Director, General Manager, Managing Director;

исполнительный ~ — Executive Director;

коммерческий ~ — Sales (Commercial) Manager (Director);

финансовый---------- Finance (Financial) Director;

заведующий отделом рекламы — Advertising (Promotion)

Manager; начальник

~ отдела кадров — Labour (Personnel, Staff) Manager;

- отдела сбыта — Distribution Manager;

~ отдела снабжения — Purchasing Director; Director of Materials; Director of Supplies;

- транспортного отдела — Traffic Manager; главный

- бухгалтер — Chief Accountant; Accountant General; Accountant in Charge;

- инженер — Engineering (Technical) Manager;

- технолог — Production Manager. _____________________

Exercise 2: Translate into English

1) Мы будем признательны, если Вы пришлете нам список фирм, торгующих этими товарами.

2) Нас интересует ассортимент свитеров, которые мы виде­ли на ярмарке в Нижнем Новгороде.

3) Просим прислать нам подробное описание товаров, ко­торыми Вы заинтересовались.

4) Мы являемся крупными импортерами станков.

5) Мы ищем производителя, который сможет поставить нам широкий ассортимент зимней обуви.

6) Поскольку мы обычно размещаем крупные заказы, мы надеемся на получение скидки за количество.

7) Мы получили образцы тканей (textiles), посланных Вами отдельным пакетом, и просим прислать нам Ваш прейскурант на эти товары.

8) Прилагаемый каталог содержит подробное описание ин­тересующих Вас товаров.

9) Сообщите, пожалуйста, сможете ли Вы поставить нам не­обходимое количество товара и принять платеж в форме инкассо.

10) Мы хотели бы знать, по какой цене и на каких условиях Вы могли бы поставить нам 1000 тонн пшеницы.

11) Сообщите нам, можете ли Вы выполнять заказы на ко­личество свыше 1000 изделий в каждой партии.

12) Согласно Вашей просьбе посылаем наш иллюстриро­ванный каталог, содержащий подробное описание требующих­ся Вам машин.

13) Мы признательны Манчестерской торговой палате за сообщение Вашего адреса и были бы благодарны, если бы Вы прислали нам Ваш каталог насосов (pumps).

14) В ответ на Ваше письмо от 15 мая, адресованное Торго­вому представительству России в Англии, мы с удовольствием посылаем Вам три экземпляра нашего каталога станков. Мы надеемся, что каталог окажется полезным для Вас.

15) Мы просим Вас сообщить нам, по какой цене, в какой срок и на каких условиях Вы могли бы поставить нам 2000 т сахара.

Exercise 3: Act as an interpreter.

After Mr. Borisov had closely studied the price for the Model 800 computer he found that it was somewhat higher than the prices of other companies for similar types of computers. That's why he invited Mr. Adams to discuss the matter.

Борисов: Господин Адаме, к сожалению, мы не можем под­писать контракт с Вашей фирмой, так как цена на предлагае­мые

Вами компьютеры чрезмерно высока. Нам известно, что Ваши конкуренты предлагают компьютеры по более низким ценам.

Adams: You are partly right. It's true, the price is high, but you should take into consideration the fact that this model is the latest word in electronic industry. It is designed on the most modern lines and we can guarantee its reliability.

Борисов: Нам это известно. Но тем не менее, цена не ка­жется нам приемлемой. Господин Адаме, зависит ли оконча­тельная цена от количества компьютеров, приобретаемых на­ми?

Adams: Right. If you increase your order to five computers we'll be able to give you a 2% discount on the price.

Борисов: Боюсь, что скидка слишком мала. Мы бы хотели получить скидку по крайней мере в 4 %.

Adams: Let me make some calculations. Well, Mr. Borisov, 3% and not more as this concession leaves only a very small profit to ourselves.

2 3ак. 5811

Lesson 2

Exercise L Read and translate the following letters. О

Wilson & Co Ltd., 15 Leadenhall Street London, E, C.3 England

Dear Sirs:

Further to our conversation with your Sales Manager during the Exhibition of electronic equipment at Olympia in London we shall be obliged if you send us your quotation for the Model R800 computer.

Please let us know if you can supply us with three computers and quote your best prices. Delivery will be required within two months after we place the order. If you can guarantee prompt delivery and quote really competitive prices we shall be able to place an order with your company. We would also like to know when our specialists could be sent to your country to be trained as operators and programmers.

We are looking forward to hearing from you soon and hope that our future relations will be of mutual benefit.

Yours sincerely, ABC

Reply to above:

ABC

32 Smolenskaya Street, Moscow 119034, Russia

Dear Sirs:

Thank you for your enquiry of March 20, 19... in which you inform us that you are interested in purchasing the Model R 800

computers from us. We enclosed with this letter all particulars concerning technical characteristics of this model.

We are happy to inform you that we are able to meet your quantity requirements and offer you three computers at the price of... per unit. The price includes packing. We can promise delivery in two months if you place your order immediately. We hope you will be able to accept our offer.

Yours sincerely,

Exercise 2. Insert the missing prepositions where necessary and translate the sentences:

1) This firm has been dealing... timber... twenty years.

2) Please let us know... what price you could sell... us 300 tons... rubber.

3) We shall be obliged if you will make... us an offer... these goods.

4) We are sending... you some samples... the goods you are interested....

5) We shall be glad to know... what terms we could buy... you the following goods required... us.

6) We have no publications... the types... machines... which you refer... your enquiry.

7) We are sending you... your information a copy... a letter which we have written... Messrs. Smith & Co.

8) Please send... us... duplicate all publications you have... this question.

9)... compliance... your request we are sending you our new catalogue... Compressors.

10) We are indebted... the Russian Chamber... Commerce... your name and address.

11) We have pleasure... sending you... triplicate our Brochure No. 126 containing a description... our range... Gas Turbines.

12)... reference... your letter... the 15th May we are sending you,... separate cover, the shipping documents relating... the m.v. " Krasnovodsk".

13) We regret to advise you that... present these instruments are not available... sale.

14) We have marked... X the types... machines which may be... interest... us and would like to receive... you their description^, duplicate.

Exercise 3. Fill in the missing words and translate the letter.

We have been... your name... our associates... Howard & Co.... Carlisle, who... us that you have been... them with stationery... a number of years.

There is a... demand here... Edinburgh... the qualities you..., and we believe we could... large orders... you if your... are competitive.

... you please send us your illustrated... together with your...
list and details of your... of business.
We look forward to............ you.

Exercise 4:

a) Your firm is a manufacturing 'company and is in urgent need of certain metal fittings which cannot be obtained quickly enough

from the normal suppliers. Write an enquiry to a British maker of these fittings.

b) Translate the letter into Russian.

Exercise 5. Act as an interpreter.

Smith: Good morning, Mr Ivanov. Here's my card.

Иванов: Доброе утро, господин Смит. Рад вас видеть.

Smith: I'd like to know if you can supply us with the Model LR 87 machine-tool.

Иванов: Это зависит от того, в какое время вы хотели бы получить эти станки.

Smith: The machine-tools must be shipped in the first half of October.

Иванов: К сожалению, мы не сможем поставить их до кон­ца года.

Smith: Well, in this case we'll have to accept your time of delivery. And now I'd like to hear your price.

Иванов: Цена составляет 5000 фунтов стерлингов за один станок, сиф Лондон. Цена включает упаковку.

Smith: I'm sorry to say the price doesn't seem attractive. We know that prices of other companies for similar models are lower.

Иванов: Но вы должны принять во внимание высокое каче­ство и надежность наших станков.

Smith: Mr. Ivanov, can you give us a discount if we increase our order?

Unit 4

OFFERS

Lesson 1

A reply to an enquiry from a regular customer is normally fairly brief, and does not need to be more than polite and direct. Provided the supplier is in a position to meet his correspondent's requirements, his reply will generally;

a) thank the writer of the letter of enquiry for the letter in question;

b) supply all the information requested, and refer both to enclosures and to samples, catalogues and other items being sent by separate post;

c) provide additional information, not specifically requested by the customer, so long as it is relevant;

d) conclude with one or two lines encouraging the customer to place orders and assuring him of good service.

In many types of business it is the practice of the seller to offer goods to regular customers and to others who may be interested, without waiting for an enquiry. Similarly, suppliers regularly make special offers of goods when prices are particularly favourable. In these cases the customer's interest has to be aroused.

Offers made in writing usually state the nature and description of the goods offered, the quantity, the price, the terms of payment and the time and place of delivery. Offers may be firm (or binding) or without engagement.

A firm offer is made by a seller to one potential buyer only and usually indicates the time during which it will remain open for acceptance. If the buyer accepts the offer in full within the stipulated time, the goods are considered to have been sold to him at the price and on the terms stated in the offer.

According to English and American law, a person making a firm offer has the right to revoke it at any time before it has been accepted. According to Russian law, a person making an offer is

bound by it until the expiration of the time stated in the offer. When no time for acceptance is stipulated in the offer, the acceptance must be made within a reasonable time.

An offer without engagement does not bind the seller and therefore may be made to several potential buyers. If the buyer accepts such an offer, the goods are considered to have been sold to him only when the seller, after receipt of the buyer's acceptance, confirms having sold him the goods at the price and on the terms indicated in the offer.

Expressions used in offers: