Stock Temporarily Depleted
Dear Sirs,
Thank you very much for your order of the 5th February for Wall Paper.
There has been such a demand for Patterns 88/377, 88/867 and 89/310 that our stock is temporarily depleted. However, a new supply is expected early next month, and when it arrives we shall lose no time in sending you the patterns desired.
By the same post you will receive from us a selection of our latest patterns. Orders for these patterns can be executed immediately.
Yours faithfully,
7. Refusal to Supply at Buyer’s Price
Dear Sirs,
Thank you for your order for 2,000 yards of Cloth No. 112 at ₤ 0.70 per yard.
We regret, however, that we are unable to accept your order at this figure. You will find, on referring to our previous correspondence, that we quoted a price of ₤ 0.75 per yard. This is our keenest price, on which we cannot grant you any further concession. Besides, it is generally expected that prices will rise in the near future.
We shall, of course, be pleased to carry out your order if you confirm it at ₤ 0.75 per yard, 30 days net.
Yours faithfully,
Tasks
I. Translate letters from Russian into English:
Подтверждение заказов
№1
Уважаемые господа!
Благодарим Вас за Ваш заказ на 100 чайных сервизов «Kelly». Данный товар имеется у нас в наличии и будет отправлен Вам немедленно по получении денежного перевода на сумму € 370 согласно прилагаемой фактуре.
С уважением,
Приложение
№2
Уважаемые господа!
Мы были рады получить Ваш заказ от 15 ноября на
15 скатертей 120*120 см «Lucinda»
15 покрывал 200*140 см «Cory»
Эти товары имеются на складе, и мы можем гарантировать доставку на Ваш склад до 28 декабря. Согласно Вашему требованию мы известим Вас о дате отгрузки.
Искренне Ваши,
Отклонение заказа
№3
Уважаемые господа!
Благодарим Вас за Ваш заказ от 14 декабря.
После внимательного изучения мы пришли к выводу, что для Вас было бы лучше на этот раз обратиться к другому изготовителю. Для изготовления машины, соответствующей Вашей спецификации, нам нужно было бы установить специальное оборудование на нашем заводе, а это не только невозможно было бы выполнить до февраля, но и серьезно повлияло бы на весь производственный процесс.
Нам действительно очень жаль, но мы надеемся, что Вы поймете нашу позицию.
Мы будем рады выполнить Ваши требования в будущем, если это будет в наших силах.
Искренне Ваши,
II. Draft letters in English from the following particulars:
№1
Машиностроительный завод в Нюрнберге получил от фирмы «В» в Питерборо заказ на автоматические токарные станки, которые должны быть изготовлены по специальным требованиям заказчика. Машиностроительный завод подтверждает получение заказа и указывает на то, что, как уже было упомянуто в его предложении, время поставки продукции по специальным заказам составляет, по меньшей мере, от 5-7 месяцев. Но, поскольку фирме «В» токарные станки нужны очень срочно, машиностроительный завод готов исполнить её заказ в первую очередь. Он надеется, что токарный станок будет готов к отправке уже к 20 мая и обещает уведомить английскую фирму о готовности заказа.
№2
Фирма «А» в Глазго получила срочный заказ от фирмы «В» в Бристоле на поставку косметической продукции на основе полевых трав. Фирма «В» просит предоставить ей товары, соответствующие образцу, и просит выслать подходящую замену в случае отсутствия требуемой продукции на складе. Фирма «А» подтверждает получение заказа и сообщает о том, что заказ передан для исполнения, и подготовка товара к отправке будет осуществлена к концу следующей недели. Фирма надеется, что этот первый заказ приведёт к дальнейшим деловым отношениям.
III. Read, translate and act out the dialogue:
Changing the Order
R. – Roberto, A – Anna
R.: Fashion Mode. Roberto Branca speaking. How can I help you?
A.: Hello, Roberto. Anna from Stores International in Leeds here. How are you?
R.: Hi, Anna. I’m fine, thanks. You too, I hope. So I saw your first order two days ago.
A.: Yes, that’s actually why I’m calling. I need to change the order, but I’m not sure if the online tool for doing that is ready yet.
R.: Sorry, Anna. Unfortunately that’s right. It should be available next week as soon as all the features of your client access have been installed. But it’s no problem. I can type the changes into the system here.
A.: OK, thanks. But I’ll need written confirmation as well.
R.: Yes, of course. I’ll enter the changes into the system and the software will automatically generate a confirmation email. Would that be OK?
A.: Oh, absolutely.
R.: So, first, could you please tell me the order number?
A.: Yes, it’s WC0001-128jh.
R.: OK, one moment. Right, here it is. So, what do you need changed?
A.: First, I have two corrections. One is the place of delivery for item number seven. It ought to be Brighton, not Birmingham.
R.: Brighton. OK, I’ve got that. And the second change?
A.: The women’s T-shirts should be light green, not light blue.
R.: Right. That’s article number six – I’ve changed that to light green.
A.: Wonderful. And finally, could I also ask you to add another item to the order?
R.: Certainly.
A.: Can we have 2,000 women’s jeans, black …
R.: Black did you say? Not blue like those for the men?
A.: No, no, black is correct. That’s model number JM-15K. They should be delivered on 9 November to Leeds.
R.: OK. Is there anything else I can do for you?
A.: No, that’s all for now. Thanks, Roberto.
R.: My pleasure. And as I said, you should be able to do this kind of thing online by the end of next week. And if it’s still doesn’t work then, just let me know.
A.: Great, Roberto. I really appreciate it. Thanks again. Bye.
IV. Make up dialogues based on the following assignments:
1. You are having the last meeting with your customer’s representatives. Tomorrow you are going to sign the contract. Discuss the results of the talks and prospects of further cooperation.
2. Phone your customer and tell him you will call for him at his hotel to take him to the plant where he will see the equipment he is going to buy from you. Agree about the time.
3. Phone your customer and ask him if he has studied your draft contract. Find out what points he would like to clear up. Make an appointment with him.
4. Discuss with the firm the quality of the samples as you are going to place an order on some of them.
V. Read and translate the text:
Tit for Tat
An elderly American farmer wrote to a mail-order house as follows: “Please send me one of the gasoline engines you show on page 877, and if it’s any good, I’ll send you a check.”
In time he received the following reply: “Please send check. If it’s any good, we’ll send the engine.”
V. Delivery
Execution of Orders
The seller executes buyer's order by delivering the goods according to the terms of the contract.
Before delivery can be made, the goods have to be carefully packed to ensure safe arrival. Adequate packing is of particular importance in the case of overseas shipments. The packing containers must be strong enough to withstand rough handling and the stresses of transport, but, on the other hand, they should be as light and compact as possible.
Export packages have to be provided with distinctive marks, which make it possible to identify the individual shipments. Caution marks (words or symbols) are usually added. The marks should be shown on at least two sides of each package. Buyer’s instructions with regard to packing and marking, as well as the regulation of the importing country, must, of course, be strictly complied with.
Unless it has been agreed that the buyer is to collect the goods, the seller has to make arrangements for transport. For this purpose he enlists the services of forwarding agents and carriers. Small packages may be sent by parcel post.
To protect the goods from the risks of loss or damage in transit, insurance is taken out by the seller or the buyer. In the case of overseas shipments, marine insurance is necessary. Ordinarily, marine insurance covers the goods only as long as they are on board the carrying vessel, but it can also be affected on a warehouse-to-warehouse basis (warehouse-to-warehouse insurance).
After execution of the order, the seller sends the buyer his invoice. He may also send the buyer a dispatch or shipping advice and a packing list showing the contents of the individual packages.
Sometimes the supplier has to advise the customer when the goods are ready for dispatch, or send him progress reports from time to time, informing him how his order is getting along and when he may expect delivery.
Invoices
Invoices or bills are usually rendered when the goods are delivered, but they may also be made out before or after delivery. Most invoices are prepared on printed forms with the firm's letterhead (invoice forms, US: billheads). A complete invoice contains the following details:
1. Name and address of buyer.
2. Date and number of invoice.
3. Date and number of order.
4. Quantity and description of the goods; marks, numbers, etc., of packages.
5. Unit price and extension;deductions, additional charges, etc.; total invoice amount.
6. Miscellaneous details, such as method of transport, terms of payment, etc.
In foreign trade the regular invoice is known as a commercial invoice to distinguish it from a customs invoice and a consular invoice. It has to be made out with great care, as it forms the basis on which the other export documents are prepared. Commercial invoices are often required for customs and other official purposes and must therefore conform to the regulations of the importing country. These regulations may require that the commercial invoice be signed by the exporter, be made out in a certain number of copies, bear a special declaration by the exporter, be certified by a chamber of commerce, etc.
A special kind of invoice is the pro-forma invoice. It is used when the buyer is required to pay in advance, when goods are sent on approval, or consigned to an agent for sale. A foreign buyer may need a pro-forma invoice in order to be able to apply for an import license, or to instruct his banker to open a documentary credit. A pro-forma invoice is often sent to a customer to show him what the cost of the goods would be if he decided to buy them. In this case the pro-forma invoice is merely a special form of quotation.