enquiry letter

Chapter Two Enquiries
Revision Objectives Warming-up Questions Sample letter Exercises Practice Homework
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.
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Introduction
Definition of an inquiry:
An inquiry is a request for information. In the international business the importer may send an inquiry to an exporter, inviting a quotation and or an offer for the goods he wishes to buy or simply asking for some general information about these goods.
Specific Inquiry ：
In a Specific Inquiry(具体询价), the importer points out what products he needs and asks for a quotation or an offer for this item.
Warming-up Question
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New Words & Expressions
3. Quote Quotation v. 提供报价 n. 报价
Quotation make/send/give sb. a quotation for sth.： Please make (send, give) us your lowest quotation.
Introduction
Generally, enquiries fall into 2 categories: General Inquiry ：
In a General Inquiry (一般询价), the importer may ask only for catalogues, price lists, samples, sample books, or quotations, etc., in order to get a general idea of the business scope of the exporter.
New Words & Expressions
4. Acquaint v.了解，认识： Acquaint sb. with sth. … 使…对…熟悉 e.g. so as to acquaint us with the material and workmanship of your supplies. 以便我公司熟悉你公司供货的质地和工艺。 Acquaint sb. with sth. = inform sb of sth; tell sb sth.
let us have your quotation： Please let us have your lowest quotation.
New Words & Expressions
“quotation”后面常跟介词for，然后接所报的商品 e.g. Quotation for sth: 为…报价 Please make us your lowest quotation for Chinese Folding Fans. 请报中国折扇最低价 。 在少数情况下，买方提及卖方的报价时用of。 Quotation of sth : 关于…的报价 Your quotation of Chinese Folding Fans is too high to be acceptable. 你方中国折扇报价太高，不能接受。
Warming-up Question
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 Stating the possibility of placing an order
If you are interested in certain products and want to know something about them. What would you write in your letter of inquiry?
Introduction
The following structure may be referred to in writing an inquiry:
Warming-up Question
Specific Inquiry
1. The names and descriptions of the goods inquired for, including specifications, quantity, etc. 2. Asking whether there is a possibility of giving a special discount and what terms of payment and time of delivery you would expect. 3. Stating the possibility of placing an order. Return
English Correspondence for International Business
国际商务英语函电IFra bibliotekstructor: Justin Fu Jinliang Xi’an Eurasia University
外贸英文函电
Business Letters
Chapter Three Enquiry
newwordsexpressionsrelatedknowledge净价pricereasonablepricecompetitivepricefavorablepriceunitpricetotalvalueamountcommissionnetprice国际市场价格discountwholesalepriceretailpricecurrentprevailingprice离岸价船上交货价成本加运费价离岸加运费价到岸价成本加运费保险费价fobcfcifworldinternationalmarketpricecostinsurance
9. discount
For quantity of 5,000 dozen, we can offer a discount of 5%. 数量达到5000打，我方给5%折扣。 To cover your loss caused by our oversight, we agree to give you a 5% discount off the price. 为弥补因我方的疏忽而给你方造成的损失， 我方同意在价格上给予你方百分之五的折扣。
New Words & Expressions
2. We shall appreciate it if … =We shall be pleased if… =We shall be grateful if…
如果能……我们将不胜感激
e.g.
We shall appreciate it if you could send us a sample of your product. 如果你方能寄送样品我们将不胜感激。 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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New Words & Expressions
8. Acceptable / reasonable can be accepted 可接受的/合理的
If your price is acceptable to us, we will buy in large quantities.
1. State the source of the information and make a self-introduction at the beginning of the letter. 2. State the purpose of writing the letter. For example, the writer may explain to the recipient what he wants, give a description or specification of the goods he requires or express his willingness to enter into business relations with the recipient, etc.. 3. End the letter by expressing the expectation for an early reply.
(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.
New Words & Expressions
Please quote us the lowest price, C.I.F. Lagos, inclusive of our 5% commission, stating the earliest date of shipment. (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.
New Words & Expressions
1. be interested in sth. / doing (buying/ purchasing) sth. 对(某商品)有兴趣， = be interested to do （buy/ purchase）sth. 常用以表示有意购买某种商品，是打算购 买某种商品的初步表示。 e.g. We are interested to import a large quantity of Chinese silk neckties. 我们对进口中国丝绸领带感兴趣。 They have customers who are interested in your six designs of Ornamental Cloth. 他们有客户对你方六种图样的装饰布感兴趣。
New Words & Expressions
Quote v.
Please quote us the lowest price, C.I.F. Lagos, inclusive of our 5% commission, stating the earliest date of shipment.
如果你方的价格可接受，我们将大量购买。
Your price is unacceptable to us. We have no choice but to purchase elsewhere.
我们不能接受你方价格。我们只好在别处购买。
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New Words & Expressions
New Words & Expressions
5. Illustration of a Sample Book:
New Words & Expressions
7. workable/ reasonable/ favorable 合理的/优惠的 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。 Our price is very favorable, so we recommend you to purchase immediately. 我们的价格非常优惠，所以建议贵方立即购买。