Discussing contract terms and speech exercises

Useful Language

to discuss contract terms – обсуждать условия контракта

attractive/reasonable prices - привлекательные/разумные цены

to receive a quotation – получить котировку

to give a discount – дать скидку

to be heavy with orders – иметь много заказов

to be in great demand - пользоваться спросом

to place a large order – разместить большой заказ

a trial order – пробный заказ

to settle the matter – уладить дело

to meet the requirements – отвечать требованиям

to start shipping – начать отгрузку

terms of delivery – условия поставки

to sign the contract – подписать контракт

to clarify details – уточнить детали

Practice

Read the dialogues, looking for the Useful Language

Play the dialogues by parts

Render the dialogues using key words and expressions

Dialogue 1

A British company was interested in buying machines Model Al.7 from the Russian Federation. They sent an enquiry to RF Export Department. After Mr Green, manager of the company received a quotation from RF Export Department he met Mr Basov to discuss the terms of the contract.

Green:Good morning, Mr Basov.

Basov:Good morning, Mr Green. Take a seat. A cup of coffee?

Green: No, thanks. You see, Mr Basov, we've studied your quota­tion and the terms of the contract. I must say, that your prices are not attractive to us. They are too high. Can you give us a discount for a large order?

Basov:That's a problem. This is our usual price and as the quali­ty of our machines is very high we are heavy with orders at this price. But as we have done a lot of business with you we can give you a small discount.

Green:We'd like to have a discount of 7%.

Basov:I'm afraid that is impossible. We can offer you a 2% dis­count. Can you accept it?

Green:I think so. But in that case we ask you to agree to FOB terms.

Basov: No problem, Mr Green. We can do it if it suits you.

Green:Thank you.

Dialogue 2

Discussing the Price and Terms of Payment

On Tuesday Ivan Borisov met Mr Taylor who had come Moscow to offer office equipment to RF Import Department.

Taylor: Good morning, Mr Borisov.

Borisov: Good morning. Mr Taylor. Will you take a seat please?

Taylor:Thank you, sir. We know you are interested in our office equipment and I have brought some catalogues with me. I think you would like to look through them. You will see that our prices are reasonable.

Borisov:I hope so, it will take me a day or two probably. Could we meet at our office, say, on Friday?

Taylor: Fine. Good-bye!

On Friday Mr Taylor came to Borisov's office again.

Borisov:Good morning, Mr Taylor.

Taylor:Good morning, Mr Borisov.

Borisov:I have looked through your catalogues. We can buy from you office furniture. But I think that your prices are rather high.

Taylor: I can't agree with you, Mr Borisov. Our prices are not as high as you say. Other companies quote higher prices. And I’d also like to mention that we usually give a good discount to customers who place big orders with us.

Borisov: What discount will you give us, if we place a trial order for 500 desks and 1,000 chairs?

Taylor:Well, for the order of this size we can give you a 2% discount off the value of the goods.

Borisov:We expected a 4% discount.

Taylor:If you agree to open a L/C for the full value of the goods we are ready to give you a 4% discount.

Borisov:I think we can do that.

Taylor:Then it settles the matter.

Dialogue 3

Talking Business

RF Import Department is interested in buying pumps for a new shop of a large plant in Siberia. The shop is already under constructionand the customers require the good urgently,as they must complete the construction of the shop by the endof the year.

Ivan Borisov, a representative of RF Import Department, who deals with this kind of equipment, got instructions to buy pumps from a British company. As soon as he arrived in London he contacted Bond & Co, a leading manufacturer of pumps. Mr. Stanley, the manager of the company, invited him tohis office.

Borisov:Good morning, Mr Stanley! I’m Borisov. Here is my card.

Stanley:Gladto meet you, Mr Borisov. Will you take seat, please?

Borisov:Thank you.

Stanley:Did you have a good trip?

Borisov:Yes, it was quite nice, thank you.

Stanley:Have you seen any places of interest in London yet?

Borisov:Yes, but not many. I arrived in London only two days ago and it was raining all the time.

Stanley:Oh, I hope the weather will change for the better and it'll stop raining soon. You'll enjoy sightseeing in London. Well, Mr Borisov, let’s discuss business now. What can I do for you?

Borisov:Weknow you've started producing a new mode of pumps. The quality of the model meets our requirements and we'd like to place an order with you. Can you make us an offer for 150 pumps?

Stanley: Sure! When would you like to have the pumps?

Borisov:We require pumps for immediate shipment.

Stanley: Well, you see, Mr Borisov we're heavy with orders at the moment and can offer yon only 50 pumps for now.

Borisov: And what, about 100 pumps?

Stanley: We can start shipping them six months after we sign the contract. I think we can deliver the pumps in four lots of 25 pumps each at regular intervals withineight months, isthat all right with you?

Borisov: Not altogether. We require the pumps earlier. Could you start the deliveries, say, four months after wesign the contract?

Stanley: I'm afraid not. We can guarantee,however, that there won’t be any delay in shipment.

Borisov:All right. I think we could agree to that.

Stanley: Is there anything else you'd like to discuss, Mr Borisov?

Borisov: Yes, there's another pointI'd like to clarify. It's about your delivery terms.

Stanley: As we can provide shipping facilitieswe usually sell our goods on GIF terms.

Borisov: Well, Mr Stanley, we can accept your delivery terms. When shall we meet to discuss the price and terms of payment?

Stanley: Let's meet in two days' time. I've got a crowded program tomorrow and the day after.

Borisov: Fine. Good-bye, Mr Stanley.

Stanley: Good-bye, Mr Borisov.

Dialogue 4

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