The following structure may be referred to in writing an enquiry:
1. State the source of the information and make a selfintroduction at the beginning of the letter.
3. End the letter by expressing the expectation for an early reply.
A satisfactory letter concerning an offer or quotation can be written in the following way:
1. Open the letter by expressing thanks for the enquiry, if any. 2. Explain the details of business conditions, such as name of
commodities, quality, quantity, specifications, unit price, type of currency, packing condition, date of delivery, terms of payment, discount, ect.. 3. End the letter in the way that encourages the enquirers to place an order or give an early reply.
2. State the purpose of writing the letter. For example, the writer may explain to the recipient what he wants, give a description or specification of the goods he requires or express his willingness to enter into business relations with the recipient, etc..
Letters including a counter-offer can be written in the following structure:
1. Open the letter by thanking the recipient for his offer.
2. 2. Decline the original offer by providing the recipient with detailed and r源自asonable reasons.
New Words and Expressions
1.enquire /inquiry v. 询价，询购，询问 inquire for/about sth. 询购某种商品 *Thank you for your letter of September 1 inquiring for 3,000 m/ts Northeast Rice. 感谢你方九月一日询购三千公吨东北大米的来信。 *The ladies’ pyjamas you are inquiring for are now out of stock. 你方现询价的女士睡衣没货。 *We are inquiring about the supply of sugar and coffee. 我方正在询购糖和咖啡的货源。
An offer is a formal presentation of the goods to be supplied on the terms specified therein for the buyer’s acceptance. The difference between an offer and a quotation: A quotation is not an “offer” in the legal sense. It is just an indication of price without contractual obligation and subject to change without previous notice. A counter-offer is virtually a partial rejection of the original offer. It also means a counter proposal put forward by the buyer.
An enquiry is a request for information. In the international business the importer may send an inquiry to an exporter, inviting a quotation and or an offer for the goods he wishes to buy or simply asking for some general information about these goods.
3. 3. Put forward the desired business conditions and try to persuade the recipient to accept them.
4. 4. Close the letter by expressing expectations for a favorable reply.
Project Two: Enquiries, Offers and Counter-offers
Objectives of this Project:
1.询盘,报盘和还盘的内容 2.询盘,报盘和还盘信的基本写法 3.询盘,报盘和还盘信中常用的词汇及表达方式
Introduction:
Definition of an enquiry,offer,counter-offer: