General inquiry
1 The source of information and a brief self-introduction
2 The intention of writing the letter. (Ask for a catalogue, samples or a pricelist)
(3)请报最低价，包括3%的佣金。
Please quote the lowest price, including 3% commission.
(4)请报最低价，说明最早的装运期。
Please quote the lowest price, stating the earliest date of shipment.
Asking whether there is a possibility of giving a special discount and what terms of payment and time of delivery you would expect.
Stating the possibility of placing an order.
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Warming-up
Inquiries may fall into two categories: general inquiries and specific inquiries.
If the importer intends to purchase goods of a certain specification, he may ask the exporter to make an offer or a quotation for the goods. That is a specific inquiry.
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Dear Sirs,
We thank you for your letter of May 3 and shall be glad to enter into business relations with you.
We have seen your brochure and are interested in Green Tea Extract and Porcelain Tea Set No.TSM001. We shall be pleased if you will kindly send us samples and all the necessary information regarding these two products.
2. We can place a large order if you can reduce the price.
如果你能降价，我们将大量订购。
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Language Points
appreciate
感激，感谢
1.We shall be appreciated if you could send us a brochure.
1. If your price is acceptable to us, we
will buy in large quantities.
如果你方的价格可接受，我们将大量购买。
2. Your price is unacceptable to us. We have no choice but to purchase elsewhere.
外贸英文函电
Business Letters
Chapter Three Enquiry
Chapter Two Inquiry
Revision Objectives Warming-up Questions Sample letter Exercises Practice Homework
Warming-up
If the importer wants to have a general idea of the commodity, he may make a request for a pricelist, a catalogue, samples and other terms. This is a general inquiry. (Generally, it is also a first inquiry. That is an inquiry writing without first writing a letter to establish business relations)
如果你方能寄送样品我们将不胜感激。
2. We shall be pleased if you could reduce the price.
如果你方能降价我们将不胜感激。
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Language Points
enclose
随函附寄
现随函附寄商品目录供你方参考。
We are enclosing herewith a catalogue
Objectives
Upon completion of today’s class, you should:
know about the information to be covered in general inquiry and specific inquiry.
grasp all the important words and phrases.
for your reference.
send…under separate cover 另寄
现另寄商品目录供你方参考。
We are now sending you under separate
cover a catalogue for your reference.
Language Points
如果你方能寄给我们一个商品小册子，我 们将不胜感激。
2. We shall appreciate it if you can ship the goods before August.
如果你方能在八月前装运货物我们将不胜
感激。
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我们不能接受你方价格。我们只好在别处购买。
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Language Points
place an order with sb. for sth.
向某人定购某商品
1. We will place an order with you for 100 metric tons of apples.
我们将向你方订购100公吨的苹果。
(1) 请报最低价。
Please quote the lowest price.
(2) 请 报 上 海 船 上 交 货 最 低 价 。
Please quote the lowest price, F.O.B Shanghai.
Language Points
Please quote us the lowest price, C.I.F. Lagos, inclusive of our 5% commission, stating the earliest date of shipment.
cover.
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Language Points
regarding
covering
关于
1. Please send us a catalogue regarding your new products.
请寄给我们一个关于你方新产品的商品目录。
2. We shall send the pricelist regarding these products for your reference.
Meanwhile, please quote us the lowest price, CIF Liverpool, stating the earliest date of shipment and the minimum quantity.
Should your price be competitive and date of shipment acceptable, we intend to place a large order with you.
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Language Points
competitive
具有竞争力的
1. Their prices are more competitive.
他们的价格更具有竞争性。
2. Our products are selling very fast because of their competitive prices.
2. Our price is very favorable, so we recommend you to purchase immediately.
我们的价格非常优惠，所以我们建议你 方立即购买。
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Language Points
acceptable
can be accepted
可接受的
Warming-up Question
If you are interested in certain products and want to know something about them. What would you write in your letter of inquiry?
Warming-up Question
我们的商品卖的很快因为它
reasonable/ favorable
合理的/优惠的
1. Our price is very reasonable. It’s impossible for us to reduce the price.
我们的价格很合理。我们不能再降价了。
Your early reply will be highly appreciated.