外贸英语函电Unit four.ppt

We should be very pleased if you would assist us in this respect, and we can assure you that any information you may give us will be treated in absolute confidence. Brief Introduction In foreign trade, enquiries are usually made by the buyers without engagement to get information about the goods to be ordered, such as price, catalogue, delivery date and other terms. Enquiries and offers can be sent by letter, or transmitted by cable and telex. Informal enquiries and offers may be communicated by telephone or through face-to-face talk. When making an enquiry, the importer may begin with the question or questions you want to ask; your reader then knows at once what your enquiry is about. ☆ Keep your enquiry short and to the point; say what needs to be said and then stop. You should state clearly in your enquiries to foreign suppliers your exact requirements, inclusive of prices, discounts, terms of payment, and the length of time required for delivery. There is no need for long, over-polite phrases and still less for humbleness. In a general enquiry, the importer may only ask for catalogues, price lists, samples or some other reference materials from the exporter. If both parties have never dealt with each other before, then the importer will inform the exporter of the source of his information at the beginning of his letter. Details of his own company and / or business will also be included. The letter as such is known as a “First Enquiry”. The importer who sends a specific enquiry may require information as to price, specifications, discount, quantity, terms of payment, date of shipment, etc. regarding some definite goods in addition to reference materials. An enquiry must be acknowledged in terms that establish good will if an immediate sale is not possible. → If it is from an old customer, say how much you appreciate it; → If it is from a new customer, say you are glad to receive it and express the hope of keeping up friendly business relationsh