1、Oct 12, 2012,1,Professional Business English Writing,Chapter 3 Inquiries and RequestsOct. 12, 2012,Oct 12, 2012,2,Inquiry,Definition (general): a systematic investigation of a matter of public interest a search for knowledge an instance of questioning,Oct 12, 2012,3,Inquiry,Definition (Business-spec
2、ific):an act of asking for information out of the need of knowing deeper about the market, usually basic and general information about positions, products, services and so on.,Oct 12, 2012,4,Business English Writing-Chapter 3: Inquiries and Requests,What is an inquiry? A request?An inquiry is a lett
3、er or an email asking about products or services to establish business relationship. In international trade, inquires are usually made by the buyers to get information about the goods or service to be ordered.,Oct 12, 2012,5,Business English Writing-Chapter 3: Inquiries and Requests,An inquiry inclu
4、des some or all of the following:-where and how you get to know the product or service-name and descriptions of the product or service-quality or specifications,-quantity,-terms of price (FOB,CIF, etc.)-terms of payment (L/C, D/P, etc.)-time of shipment,-packaging-,Oct 12, 2012,6,How to make your le
5、tter of inquiry a winner ?,Oct 12, 2012,7,1. Be courteous. Remember, by making this inquiry, you are imposing on the readers time and resources.,2. Specify your intentions through words that are simple but direct.,3. Your letter could be fairly short, but it should be long enough to adequately expla
6、in what it is that you are inquiring about and what you want the reader to do in response to your letter.,How to make your inquiry a winner ?,Oct 12, 2012,8,4. To provide a better reading, youd better list each question and number them if a lot of them are involved. In this way, the reader will answ
7、er the questions in the order in which you pose them and thus less likely to skip one unintentionally.,5. In your final paragraph, assume a friendly tone. Close by expressing appreciation for the assistance to be provided, by stating and justifying any deadlines.,How to make your inquiry a winner ?,
8、Oct 12, 2012,9,Chapter 3: Inquiries and Requests,Sentence patterns to start with:We visited your stand at the Guangzhou Fair and are now writing you to inquire about your silk neckties. We are interested in/in the market for/potential buyers of/considering buying/ready to purchase your mens shirts d
9、isplayed in your showroom. Your advertisement in the latest issue of China Foreign Trade interests us, and we would like to receive full details of your commodities. Please send us five copies of your latest catalogues at your earliest convenience.,Oct 12, 2012,10,Professional Business English Writi
10、ng Chapter 3: Inquiries and Requests,5. Perhaps at the same time you could quote us your lowest/best/prevailing/competitive prices for the above-mentioned goods. 6. We would also like to know your terms of payment. 7. Your products are of great interest to one of our clients in Tianjin, who wishes t
11、o have your quotations/samples/ price-list/illustrated catalogues for the items specified below.,Oct 12, 2012,11,Professional Business English Writing Chapter 3: Inquiries and Requests,8. If terms and delivery date are satisfactory, we should expect to place regular / trial / large / considerable /
12、substantial orders with you. 9. Please advise if you are able to offer/provide/supply /furnish this product and include lead time (备货期), packing and price FOB China port and CIF Chicago.,Oct 12, 2012,12,Sample Inquiries,Oct 12, 2012,13,Dear Mr. Li,We have read your advertisement in “International Tr
13、ade” and we are glad to know that youre one of the leading exporters of silk blouses in China. We are interested in the goods and would like to know some details of your various types, including sizes, colors, and prices.,Opening: Begin directly with the objective.,Body: Adequately explain what it i
14、s that you are inquiring about and what you want the reader to do in response to your letter.,Closing: End with goodwill words.,When replying, please state terms of payment and discount you would allow on purchases of quantities of over 1,000 dozen of individual items.,We look forward to your early
15、reply. Yours faithfully,Riry Guntary,Oct 12, 2012,14,Dear Mr. Cliff,We have a large inquiry for the supply of approximately 20,000 meters of cotton piece goods. We enclose our buying samples, which will show you the shade and quality required.Please send us by airmail your samples corresponding to o
16、ur buying samples with the best price CIF Genoa for pure cotton goods that you can supply within two months after receiving the order.Regarding payment, we would like to pay by an irrevocable sight letter of credit.We shall be obliged if you will give us your immediate and careful attention.Yours fa
17、ithfully,R. Baggio,Chapter 3: Inquiries and Requests,Oct 12, 2012,15,Professional Business English Writing Chapter 3: Inquiries and Requests,A Sample Inquiry (C-E) 敬启者：纽约的琼斯-史密斯公司告知我们，你们是各类棉布床单和枕巾的出口商。请你寄给我们各种产品的详细资料，包括型号、颜色和价格以及所用各种品质原料的样品。我们是本地最大的纺织品经销商。相信所提到的这种产品如在我地定价适当，市场将会看好。报价时，请说明你方的支付条件和就每种
18、商品购买量不少于100打所能给予的折扣,所报的价格应包括保险和到利物浦的运费。诚挚问候。,Oct 12, 2012,16,Chapter 3: Inquiries and Requests,Dear Sirs,Messrs Johns & Smith of New York inform us that you are exporters of all cotton bed-sheets and pillowcases. We would like you to send us details of your various ranges, including sizes, colors an
19、d prices, as well as samples of the different qualities of material used.We are the largest dealer in textiles here and believe that there is a promising market in our area for moderately priced goods of this kind mentioned. When quoting, please state your terms of payment and discount you would all
20、ow on purchases of quantities of no less than 1,000 dozen of individual items. Price quoted should include insurance and freight to Liverpool.Yours faithfully,Oct 12, 2012,17,Inquiry Letters: Translation Practice,1. Please send us your catalogue and price list of . 2. I would appreciate your sending
21、 me an up-to-date price list for your . 3. Would you please quote us your lowest price for .,1. 请惠寄你方的商品目录和价格表。 2. 如蒙贵方寄来的现行价格表，将不胜感激。 3. 贵方能否将的最低价格报给我方？,Oct 12, 2012,18,Inquiry Letters Sentence Translation Practice,4. Could you send us your latest catalogue and price list? 5. We look forward to hea
22、ring from you soon. 6. We hope to hear from you soon.,4. 贵方能否寄来最新的商品目录和价目表？ 5. 我们盼望能尽早得到答复。 6. 我们希望能尽早收到您的回复。,Oct 12, 2012,19,Requests,Oct 12, 2012,20,Professional Business English Writing Chapter 3: Inquiries and Requests,A request?A letter or an email by the potential buyer to the supplier -to obt
23、ain information-to receive printed matter (literatures)-to receive sample products-to order merchandise-to engage service-to make reservations-to seek special favors,Oct 12, 2012,21,Chapter 3: Inquiries and Requests,Guidelines for composing an effective request:-begin the letter with the main points
24、;-give the reasons why you are making the request;-Itemize and/or list the specific facts you want;-make your request sincerely in a polite way. -end your request with goodwill words,Oct 12, 2012,22,How to write a request?,Look at the following sample request,Oct 12, 2012,23,First VersionDear Sir or
25、 Madam,I want you to tell me some information about your agencys Hong Kong travel packages for the May holiday. My family and I plan to travel there from May 1st to 7th, in which period we would like to visit most of the scenic spots and shopping centers. What I want is a DIY program. And I want you
26、 to provide us with your travel packages and their corresponding price per person, covering both hotel and a return ticket.Write soon. yours,Shouyu Chen,Oct 12, 2012,24,Second VersionDear Sir or Madam,I am writing to ask for information about your agencys Hong Kong travel packages for the May holida
27、y. My family and I plan to travel there from May 1st to 7th, in which period we would like to visit most of the scenic spots and shopping centers. A DIY program would be preferable. It would be greatly appreciated if you could provide us with your travel packages and their corresponding price per pe
28、rson, covering both hotel and a return ticket.I would be grateful to receive a prompt reply as the holiday is approaching.Yours cordially Shouyu Chen,Oct 12, 2012,25,I am writing to ask for information about.,Instead of,I want you to tell me the information about,Oct 12, 2012,26,A DIY program would
29、be preferable.,Rather than,What I want is a DIY program.,Oct 12, 2012,27,It would be greatly appreciated if you could provide us with,In stead of,I wonder if you can provide us with,Oct 12, 2012,28,I would be grateful to receive a prompt reply.,Rather than,Write soon.,Oct 12, 2012,29,Sample Request
30、2,Oct 12, 2012,30,Dear Manager,I make bold to write this letter to you. One year ago I joined your firm as an apprentice, receiving $ 1,500 per month during the period of training. Now I have become a full-time clerk, but my salary has remained the same. As the cost of living is rising, would you co
31、nsider an increase of my salary? I do not expect too much, but I think I deserve the same payment as the other clerks in our firm as we are doing the same job. I pledge myself to continue to serve the firm to the best of my ability .Many thanksYours faithfully,Oct 12, 2012,31,Language For Writing,Oc
32、t 12, 2012,32,C.I.F : cost, insurance and freight 到岸价格；Delivery time : 交货时间；Terms of payment ：支付条件，支付方式；Place order with：与订货；Offer the best price ：报最优价格,6. F.O.B: free on board 船上交货，离岸价格；7. Sales channels: 销售渠道；8. Quotations：报价单；9. Transportation and insurance：运输和保险；,Notes,Oct 12, 2012,33,Could/Will
33、 you pleaseWe are/will be interested ininterest usWe intend to/want to/would like toWe will appreciate it very much if,6. We are in the market for7. We are prepared to.8. It will be greatly appreciated if9. Please inform of,Useful Sentence Patterns,Oct 12, 2012,34,Homework 1 Search online for an adv
34、ertisement about a service or a product that you might be looking for. Then write an unsolicited enquiry or request to the supplier of the service or product for further information or materials. Write your inquiry or request following the principles and guidelines that you have learnt in Chapter 3. You inquiry or request should be no less than 200 words long, excluding the letterhead and complimentary close. This homework is due by Friday of the 8th week.,
