Inquiries and Replies
An inquiry is used when we want to ask for more information concerning a product, service or other information about a product or service that interests us.
Compose Your Message
Importance of an inquiry
Inquiry Offer / Quote Counter-offer
Acceptance
the first step of a business transaction
Nature of an inquiry In foreign trade an inquiry is usually
1.yers to
invite a quotation and/or an offer for the goods
2. A detailed inquiry includes: the name
and descriptions of the commodity, quality, quantity,
(not absolutely) made by the potential buyer without engagement, requesting for information on the supply of certain goods. So we call it 询盘 or 询价 in Chinese.
Contents
Get Started Compose Your Message
Sample Study Read for Reference Check Yourself
Lead-in
Dear Sir,
We are one of the leading bicycle dealers in Dubai, and we have an office
in Zhuhai, China. We sell many brands of products. Some are domestic,
some are foreign. Our company has been established for almost ten
years. We have a good reputation in this line.
If you will allow us a special discount, we would like to place an order
with you.
Looking forward to your reply Best regards,
Any Problems?
Cindy
Listen to Mr. Tutorial
Our customers are very interested in your bicycles for both men and
women, and also for children. I would appreciate it very much if you
could send me your catalogue and price list for bicycles.
Listen to Mr. Tutorial
Try to add one more paragraph to this inquiry:
In the circumstances please indicate whether you will allow us a special discount. This would enable us to maintain the low selling prices, which have been an important reason for the growth of our business. In return we would be prepared to place orders for a guaranteed annual minimum number of bicycles, the figure to be mutually agreed.
Inquiries and Replies
Objectives
➢Use proper tone in asking questions; ➢Learn to compose inquiry letters and their replies; ➢Get to know when to use direct approach to convey messages.
Amendments
•The paragraph of selfintroduction with wordy expressions (Some are domestic, some are foreign). •Too much introduction is a waste of time for business people.
Well-done
• Cindy is clever to keep commercial secret; • Cindy adopted the full block style in writing this letter; •She first made a brief introduction to her company.
✓So clearly state what it is that you are inquiring about and what you would like the recipient of your letter to do. ✓Make your inquiry as clear and specific as possible.