Enquiry讲义.ppt

By Main Point Part 1: The definition of an enquiry Part 2: The basis contents of enquiries Part 3: The kinds of enquiries and differences Part4: The writing steps of letters on enquiry What is enquiry? An enquiry is a buyer’s request for information on certain goods or service. when an importer is interested in some products , he may send out an enquiry to an exporter to get relevant information and trade terms. The process of making enquiries may be realized by letter , E-mail, telegram , fax , and even by telephone or face-to-face talk. An enquiry may not simply be sent out to a single supplier or a specific seller , but in some cases , to several suppliers. Through comparing the offers , a buyer chooses the most competitive one to make a deal. Making Enquiries In international trade, enquiry is the first step of a business negotiation. Enquiry is usually made by the buyer to invite a quotation or offer from the seller in order to buy certain goods or services. Enquiry may be made by mail, e-mail, fax, telephone call, or hand-written note to suppliers through personal contact. Importance of Making an enquiry Enquiry is the basis of transaction, making a very important step of bringing a would-be buyer and a potential seller together in international trade. It functions as a bridge between a buyer and a seller. Contents of an Enquiry In an enquiry ,the massage conveyed should be simple , clear , reasonable and to be point. In order to communicate a massage ,you must try to provide all the necessary information ,but it must be clear and as brief as possible. In addition, adopting an appropriate tone is necessary . A business letter is characterized by a formal and serious tone . Try to be polite, honest and friendly. An Enquiry is usually organized in the following steps: (1) State how you get to know about the firm. (2) Express your interests in the products produced by the supplier. (3) Provide deta