7. Should any references be quoted in reply to this letter?
8. Which words in the letter correspond to the following: shown, group of shops, selection, less, present?
A supermarket is asking a firm of shop-fitters for an estimate to put in counters, shelves, windows, etc.
SUPERBUYS Ltd.
Superbuy House, Wolverton Road, London SW16 7DN
Telephone: 0813271651 Reg.No.: 94116 London
Telex: 3031 13 VAT No. 516 641030
Fax: 0813271935
The Manager Date: 10th January 200-
Wembley Shopfitters Ltd.
Wycombe Road
Wembley Middlesex HAS 6DA
Dear Sir,
We are opening a new branch of 'Superbuys' in Wembley High Street in March and would like to know if you could send someone along to give us an estimate for refitting.
From our designer's plan enclosed, you can see that the premises were once used as a warehouse and would need extensive alterations which would include putting in counters, shelves, windows, rewiring, and reflooring.
The work would have to be completed before the end of February and you would be required to sign a contract to that effect. If the job interests you, please contact Mr Keith Bellon our Managing Director on 081327 1651 ext. 119 to arrange an appointment,
Yours faithfully,
Jean Landman
Jean Landman
Secretary to K. Bellon
Encl. Wembley Plan AC/1342
Questions:
1. Why is an estimate needed? Why is it not possible to give a firm quotation?
2. What has to be done before the estimate can be given?
3. Can Wembley Shopfitters take as long as they want to complete the job?
4. Do Superbuys expect a letter in reply?
5. How should Mr Bellon be contacted?
6. Has anything been included with the letter?
7. How were the premises originally used?
1. Enquiries can take the form of telephoned, telexed, or taxed requests for information. Only use these forms if you can make your enquiry very brief. For fuller enquiries, write a letter.
2. Give details of your own firm as well as asking for information from your prospective supplier.
3. Be specific and state exactly what you want. Quote box numbers, catalogue references, etc. to help your supplier to identify what you want.
4. Ask for samples if you are uncertain about a product.
5. You can suggest terms and discounts, but be prepared for your supplier to make a counter-offer.
6. You can be direct in your letter, yet still polite. Notice how the use of the passive can soften a request: I want a prompt reply is impolite; A prompt reply would be appreciated is better. Notice also how short sentences can create an abrupt effect, while a complex sentence can modify: We are large wholesalers. We are interested in your range of shirts is not as good as We are large wholesalers and are interested in your range of shirts.
7. Close with a simple 'thank you' or ‘I look forward to hearing from you', unless you want to indicate the possibility of substantial orders or further business.
3.1 Complete the letter with the following phrases:
could you also provide on behalf of please place a substantial order the quality of your products
Mr C. Davis 5 March
Leatherware plc
14-19 Chatham Place
Manchester MIS 4AA
Dear Mr Davis
I visited the Leatherware stand at the Dusseldorf Trade Fair last month ..........................1 'Pablo Cortez' and was impressed by …………………….2 .
........................................3 send me information about your range of executive briefcases. I think that these could do well in our market. ........................................4 full details of prices, delivery dates, methods of payments and discounts. Could you send all the details in your letter as we do not have the time to search through large brochures. Also if you have any other products which might appeal to this segment of the market, please let me know.
I look forward to hearing from you. If terms and delivery dates are satisfactory, I hope to..........................................5.
Yours sincerely
Pedro Jiminez
Pedro Jiminez
3.2 Below you will see parts of three letters of enquiry. Put the correct word or phrase in each blank. Choose from the following list. Use each item once only.
advertisement discount latest catalogue price list
advise faithfully model price range
current issue forward particularly reference
Dear information payment still available
A. 1_____________ Sir
I have seen your 2_____________ in the 3_____________ of 'Office Weekly' and am interested in your range of office stationery. Could you please send me your 4______________ and 5_______________. I look 6______________ to hearing from you. Yours 7________________.
B. With 8_______________ to your advertisement in today's 'Times', could you please send me 9_______________ about your office furniture. I am 10______________ interested in your adjustable typist's chairs.
C. Some time ago we purchased from you some JF72 solar-powered pocket calculators. As this 11______________ was so popular with our customers, we would like to know if it is 12________________. If so, would you kindly 13______________ us of your terms of 14_______________ and any quantity 15______________ available. Could you also include details of any new models in the same 16________________.
3.3 The following letter is the reply which Colin Davis writes to Pedro Jiminez (see ex. 3.1). There are a number of mistakes in it - sometimes incorrect spelling, sometimes grammatical or usage mistakes. Find the mistakes and write the correct word in the space on the right.
| Dear Mr Jiminez Thank you for your letter of 5 March by enquiring about our rainge of executive briefcases. The enclosed leeflet summarises the specifications and prices of our total range of brief and attache cases. In the most cases we are able to suply goods within fourteen days. We allow a qantity discount of 7% on purchases of 50 or more of models, rising to 15% on quantities of 100 or more. Furthermore we offer a discont of 3% for payment within 14 days from date of invoice. Payment should be paid in sterling and within 30 days. Finally I have taken you the liberty of enclosing a copy of our latest catalogue giving full detals of our range of executive luggage and leather goods. I hope you will find it of an interest. Should you have any further questions please do not be hesitate to contact me personally on the above numbers. We look forward to receive an order from you in the near future. Yours sincerely Colin Davis Colin Davis | 1___OK_____ 2___________ 3___________ 4___________ 5___________ 6___________ 7___________ 8___________ 9___________ 10__________ 11__________ 12__________ 13__________ 14__________ 15__________ 16__________ 17__________ 18__________ 19__________ 20__________ 21__________ 22__________ |
3.4 Mr Adriano Gornez, a buyer for a department store in Sao Paulo, Brazil, writes to a clothing manufacturer asking for full details of the company's new range of shirts. He is interested in placing a large order. Write a suitable reply to his enquiry.
3.5 Below you will see parts of three letters answering an enquiry. Put the correct word or phrase in each blank. Choose from the following list. Use each item once only.
additional features enclosed leaflet further details competitive price enquiring hesitate range
date enquiry In addition sincerely pleasure
doing business full details in production supply
A. Dear Ms Prentice Thank you for your 1________________ of 3rd May about our office stationery.
We have 2______________ in enclosing our latest catalogue and price list. We hope you will find it of interest.
If you require any 3________________ please do not 4_______________ to contact us. Yours 5_______________.
B. Thank you for your letter of January 4th, asking about office furniture.
The enclosed catalogue contains 6______________ of our range. In most cases we are able to 7_______________ you with the goods you require within fourteen days.
We look forward to receiving an order from you.
C. Thank you for your letter of 1st June, 8_________________ about the JF72 pocket calculator.
This model is no longer 9_______________ as it has been superseded by the JF75 solar-powered pocket calculator. As you will see from the 10_____________ the new model has several 11__________________ at an extremely 12_______________.
We have also enclosed our latest catalogue giving details of the vast 13_______________ of electronic goods we supply.
We allow a discount of 50% on purchases of not less than 50 of the same model, and 55% on quantities of not less than 100. 14________________ we give a discount of 5% for payment within fourteen days from 15_______________ of invoice.
We look forward to 16________________ with you in the near future.
3.6 Read the letter of enquiry below, and cross out the one sentence which does not fit in.
TransChem Ltd
Dunakeszi at 127. H- 1810 Budapest, Hungary
The Principal,
Vernon Morgan College of English
11 Bucdeuch Avenue
Edinburgh EH4 7BG
30 August
Dear Madam or Sir
Our company is one of the leading suppliers of speciality chemicals to a wide range of industries in Eastern and Central Europe, where we have 12 branches. We therefore employ staff of many different nationalities.
With a view to increasing the efficiency of our operations, we wish to send a group of middle managers on executive language courses in the UK. We would like our staff not only to improve their communication skills, but also to further their knowledge of the kind of English needed in management and in the chemical industry.
One of our business colleagues has recommended your College as one of the best. Could you please let us have full details of your executive courses, such as term dates, fees and accommodation with host families. Good management looks after its existing clientele superbly and goes after markets offering the largest sales. Any other relevant details would be appreciated.
As we envisage sending 10 to 15 managers a year, we will naturally be looking for competitive offers and a lasting business relationship.
We look forward to your reply.
Yours faithfully,
Fekete Ferenc
Fekete Ferenc
Hungary Manager
3.7 Write a suitable reply to the letter in ex. 3.6, following the guidelines below.
• thank TransChem for their enquiry, and express interest;
• briefly introduce the Vernon Morgan College of English (founded 20 years ago / high quality tailor-made language training for executives / etc.);
• mention the trainers and consultants (highly qualified / enthusiastic and professional / experienced in the field / etc.) and mention clients (AGROCHEM in Milan and Petrosur in Valencia);
• mention social programme (opportunity to mix with local business people);
• refer to enclosed prospectus;
• offer 20% discount on course fees for first group (12% on subsequent groups of min. 10);
• close on an encouraging and optimistic note.
1. A. Ashley, A Handbook of Commercial Correspondence, Oxford University Press, 1994.
2. D. Cotton, D. Falvey, S. Kent, Market Leader, Intermediate Business English, Practice File, Longman, 2000.
3. J. Rogers, Market Leader, Upper Intermediate Business English, Practice File, Longman, 2001
4. J. Flower, Build Your Business Vocabulary, LTP, 1990
5. J.S. McKellen, Test Your Business English, General Usage, Penguin Books, 1990.
6. Steve Flinders, Test Your Business English, Intermediate, Penguin Books, 1997.
7. A. Ashley, A Correspondence Workbook, Oxford University Press, 1998.
8. D. Cotton, S. Robbins, Business Class, Longman, 1997.
9. M. Lannon, G.Tullis, T.Trappe, Insights into Business, Nelson Business English, Longman, 1996
10. G.Tullis, M. Lannon, Insights into Business, Workbook, Nelson Business English, Longman, 1996
Методические указания
к практическим занятиям
по деловой корреспонденции
Для самостоятельной работы студентов
Составители: ДАНЬКО Ольга Александровна
ТРОСТИНА Кира Витальевна
Редактор Т.Л.Савельева
Подписано в печать Формат 60х84 1/16
Бумага офсетная. Гарнитура «Таймс». Печать офсетная.
Усл.печ.л. Уч.-изд.л. Тираж 600 экз. Заказ
Издательство Российской экономической академии
имени Г.В. Плеханова.
113054, Москва, Стремянный пер., 36.
Отпечатано в типографии РЭА имени Г.В. Плеханова
113054 Москва, ул. Зацепа,41/1.