1、,Unit 3 Inquiry 询 盘,大连理工大学电子音像出版社,世纪商务英语 外贸函电,http:/,,Basic Knowledge Concerned,Letter-writing Guide,Other Commonly Used Expressions and Sentences,Sample Letters,Practical Training,Part One,Part Two,Part Three,Part Four,Part Five,Contents,http:/,,Part One,http:/,An inquiry is a request for informati
2、on on goods. When business people intend to import a product, they send out an inquiry to an exporter. It may ask for a quotation or an offer for the goods they wish to buy or simply request for some general information regarding these goods. An inquiry can be made by written correspondence, such as
3、 a letter, telegram, telex, fax, e-mail or verbally by talk in person.Inquiries from regular customers may be very simple in content, in which only the name and/or specifications of the commodity will be mentioned. Other inquiries may include great details such as the name of the commodity, quality,
4、 specifications, quantity, terms of price, terms of payment, time of shipment, packing method, etc. required by the buyer so as to enable the seller to make proper offers.,1. An Inquiry and Reply (1),,Part One,http:/,An inquiry received from abroad must be answered fully and promptly. If there is no
5、 stock available for the time being, you should acknowledge the inquiry at once, explaining the situation and assuring that you will reply to it once a supply becomes available. If the inquiry is from an old customer, express how much you appreciate it. If it is from a new customer, say you are glad
6、 to receive it and express the hope of a future business relationship. In a word, the reply to an inquiry should be prompt and courteous and cover all the information asked for.,1. An Inquiry and Reply (2),,Part One,http:/,(1) General Inquiries: If the importers want to have a general idea of the co
7、mmodity, which the exporter is in a position to supply, they may make a request for a price list, a catalogue, samples and other terms. This is a general inquiry. Generally, it is also a first inquiry without first writing a letter to establish business relations. (2) Specific Inquiries: If the impo
8、rters intend to purchase goods of a certain specification, they may ask the exporter to make an offer or a quotation for specific goods. That is a specific inquiry.,2. Categories of Inquiries,,Part One,http:/,A general inquiry usually includes the following contents: (1) Telling addressees the sourc
9、e of information and making a brief self-introduction (2) Indicating the intention of writing the letter, i.e. to ask for a catalogue, samples or a price list (3) Stating the possibility of placing an order and expectation of an offerA specific inquiry usually includes the following contents: (1) In
10、dicating 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 and expectati
11、on of an offer,3. The Main Contents of a Letter for Inquiry,,Part Two,http:/,,Part Two,http:/,,Part Two,http:/,,Part Two,http:/,,Part Two,http:/,,Part Two,http:/,,Part Two,http:/,,Part Two,http:/,,Part Two,http:/,,Part Two,http:/,,Part Three,http:/,Expressions (1),1. take/have/feel/be interest in. 对
12、感兴趣 2. be in the market for., be desirous of., desire 想购买,想要 3. make/send sb. an inquiry for., inquire (for). 询购 4. illustrated catalogue 带有图片说明的目录表 5. Please state terms of. 请说明的条款 6. This is in reply to ones inquiry of. 兹答复某人的询盘 7. date of delivery 交货期 8. lowest/best price 最低价; favorable price 最优惠
13、价; rock-bottom price 底价;competitive price 竞争价; reasonable price 合理价 9. place an order with sb. for sth. 向某人订购某物 10. regular order 定期购买; regular supply 定期供应,,Part Three,http:/,Expressions (2),11. special discount 特别折扣 12. bulk buying 大量购买 13. available from stock 有存货的 14. make/cable sb. an offer for.
14、 就商品给某人报盘; 给报盘 15. up-to-date/latest price list 最新价目表 16. as specified below 下列 17. steady demand 稳定的需求 18. ready market 现成的市场;成熟的市场 19. the taste of the market 市场需求/品味/偏好 20. be under offer, be on sale (商品)在出售中,,Part Three,http:/,Typical Sentences (1),1. Will you please send us your illustrated/lat
15、est catalogue and full details of your prices and terms of payment, together with samples 2. Please send me a description of your electric hedge trimmers. 3. We would be pleased if you send us your lowest quotation for the following: 4. A client of ours is interested in securing a certain quantity o
16、f Chinese Cotton Piece Goods, as specified below, for which you are requested to make an offer. 5. We have pleasure in informing you that we are interested in your plastic kitchenware and would like you to make us an offer.,6. We have an inquiry in hand for a large quantity of Bitter Apricot Kernels
17、. 7. We understand that there is a good demand for glassware in your market, and take this opportunity of enclosing our quotation No.1338 for your consideration.,,Part Three,http:/,Typical Sentences (2),8. We are sending you by airmail a small sample. A copy of the relative description leaflet is en
18、closed. 9. Will you please send us your catalogue together with a detailed offer 10. Please inform us of the prices of the products that you can supply. 11. Wed like to have your lowest quotations CIF Vancouver. 12. We have seen your advertisement in Chinas Foreign Trade and would be glad if you wil
19、l send us the particulars of bed sheets and pillowcases. 13. You must take into consideration when quoting a price that we may place regular orders for large quantities. 14. Kindly let us know the prices and quantities of the best refined sugar you are able to deliver to us.,,Part Three,http:/,Typic
20、al Sentences (3),15. We have ready buyers of these commodities and if your prices are com-petitive, we have every reason to believe that we can place large orders with you. 16. We would be pleased if you would let us have a list of items that are imported by you. 17. We have an importer inquiring fo
21、r woolen blankets and would like to obtain a catalogue, and price list together with the samples as soon as possible. 18. We would be much obliged if you could quote us the best CIFC5% Shanghai and indicate the respective quantities and various sizes that you could supply for prompt shipment. 19. Pl
22、ease let us know on what terms you can supply the above goods. 20. If you are in a position to meet our demand, we will place a large order with you.,,Part Four,http:/,Sample 1 (1),A General Inquiry,United Textiles Ltd.York House: Lawton Street Liverpool: ML3 2LLEnglandTel: . Fax: . E-mail: . Our Re
23、f: CT-GZ Your Ref:September 16, 2007Guangdong Textiles Import & Export Corporation 779 East Dongfeng Road， Guangzhou China,,Part Four,http:/,Sample 1 (2),Dear Sirs,Messrs. Brown & Clark of this city inform us that you are an exporter of all kinds of cotton bed sheets and pillowcases. We would like y
24、ou to send us details of your various ranges, including sizes, colors and prices, and also samples of the different qualities of material used.We are large dealers1 in textiles and believe there is a promising market2 in our area for moderately3 priced goods of the kind mentioned.When replying, plea
25、se state your terms of payment and discount you would allow on purchases of quantities of not less than 100 dozen of individual items. Prices quoted should include insurance and freight to Liverpool.Yours faithfully, United Textiles Ltd. Manager,,Part Four,http:/,Guangdong Textiles Import & Export C
26、orporation 779 East Dongfeng Road Guangzhou, China Tel: . Fax: . E-mail: . Our Ref: GD 2007 (8) Your Ref: CT-GZSeptember 22, 2007United Textiles Ltd. York House, Lawton Street Liverpool, ML3 2LL England,A Reply to the Letter of Sample 1,Sample 2 (1),,Part Four,http:/,Dear Sirs,We are very pleased to
27、 receive your inquiry of September 16 and enclose our illustrated catalogue and price list giving the details you ask for. Also by separate post1 we are sending you some samples and feel confident that when you have examined them you will agree that the goods are both excellent in quality and reason
28、able in price.On regular purchases for quantities of not less than 100 dozen of individual items we would allow you a discount of 2%. Payment is to be made by irrevocable L/C at sight2.We invite your attention to our other products such as table-cloths and table napkins, details of which you will fi
29、nd in the catalogue, and look forward to receiving your first order.Yours sincerely, Guangdong Textiles Import & Export CorporationManager,Sample 2 (2),,Part Four,http:/,Bradley & Bros Plc. 18 West Way, Runcorne Cheshire, U.K. Tel: . Fax: . E-mail: . Our Ref: Your Ref:August 8, 2007Guangdong Light I
30、ndustries Products Import & Export Corporation 779 East Dongfeng Road, Guangzhou, P. R. China,Sample 3 (1),A Specific Inquiry,,Part Four,http:/,Dear Madam or Sir,We have noticed from your advertisement in 1 that you export large quantities of cushions2 to European markets.Being specialized in this l
31、ine for a long time, we are well connected with3 many customers in our country. At present, we are interested in back cushions fine in quality and low in price. It would be highly appreciated if you could send us some brochures and samples for our reference and quote your lowest price on CIF basis i
32、ncluding our 3% commission.Should your goods prove satisfactory and the price be found competitive, you may expect substantial orders from us. We are looking forward to your early reply.Yours faithfully, Jean Bean Manager,Sample 3 (2),,Part Four,http:/,Guangdong Light Industries Products Import & Ex
33、port Corporation 779 East Dongfeng Road, Guangzhou, P. R. China Tel: . Fax: . E-mail: . Our Ref: Your Ref:August 15, 2007 Mr. Jean Bean Manager Bradley & Bros Plc. 18 West Way, Runcorne Cheshire, U.K.,Sample 4 (1),A Reply to the Letter of Sample 3,,Part Four,http:/,Dear Mr. Bean,Your inquiry of Augu
34、st 8, 2007, has been well received. Thank you very much for your interest in our cushions. We are enclosing samples and a price list of back cushions giving the details you asked for1. We feel confident that you will find the goods both excellent in quality and reasonable in price.Yours sincerely, M
35、s. Wang Sales ManagerEncls: as stated,Sample 4 (2),,Notes,http:/,Sample 1,Sample 2,Sample 3,Sample 4,1. dealer n. 经销商 2. promising market 有前景的市场 3. moderately ad. 适度地;合适地,1. by separate post 另封邮寄 2. irrevocable L/C at sight 不可撤销的即期信用证,1. 中国出口商品网 2. cushion n. 垫子,软垫; back cushions 靠背垫 3. be well con
36、nected with 与某人关系好,与某人联系密切e.g. We think you are well connected with the local buyers.,1. 此句可译为“我们特此附上样品和价目表,里面含有你们所希望了解的所有详情”句中的进行时含有“特此”,“兹”之意;“giving the details.”作定语,修饰 “samples and a price list of back cushions”,,Part Five,http:/,1. Put the following English into Chinese. (1),Beginning Training,
37、带有图片说明的目录表,(1) illustrated catalogue,(2) date of delivery,交货期,(3) special discount,特别折扣,(4) the taste of the market,市场需求/品位/偏好,,Part Five,http:/,1. Put the following English into Chinese. (2),最新价目表,(5) up-to-date/latest price list,(6) promising market,有前景的市场,(7) bulk buying,大量购买,(8) available from s
38、tock,有存货的,(9) as specified below,下列,,Part Five,http:/,1. Put the following English into Chinese. (3),(商品)在出售中,(10) be under offer, be on sale,(11) One of our customers takes interest in the model 123, and we would like to receive a sample and quotation.,我方一客户想买123型货物，希望贵方寄一样品和报价单来。,(12) Im intereste
39、d in your Green Tea. I think some of the items will find a ready market at our end. Id like to have your lowest quotation CIF Victoria.,我方对贵方的绿茶感兴趣。我方认为，其中的某些品种在我方市场上 会很畅销。希望得到贵方的维多利亚目的港交货最低价。,,Part Five,http:/,1. Put the following English into Chinese. (4),我们想购买贵方4号目录表上所列的男式衬衫。请报最低价、最优折 扣以及交货期。,(13
40、) We are in the market for mens shirts illustrated in your catalogueNo.4. Please quote us your lowest price with the best discount and the date of delivery.,(14) Please quote your lowest price CIF Singapore for each of the following items, inclusive of our 3% commission.,请报下列各种商品的新加坡到岸价，包括我方3%的佣金。,(
41、15) We hope that your prices will be workable and that business will result to our mutual benefit.,我们希望贵方价格可行，同时希望交易能令双方受益。,,Part Five,http:/,1. Put the following English into Chinese. (5),我们看过贵方在海外杂志上的广告，请惠寄贵方价目表和详细的 交易条件。,(16) We have seen your advertisement in the Overseas Journal and would be gl
42、ad to have price list and details of your terms.,(17) We understand that you are manufacturers of air conditioners and wo- uld like to know whether you can supply the items as specified below.,我们获悉贵方是空调生产商，请问贵方是否能供应下列规格的产品？,(18) Enclosed please find samples of our Nylon Socks. If you are able to sup
43、ply us with 5000 dozen, we would be pleased to have you quote a favorable price CIF Hong Kong.,随函附寄我方尼龙袜样品，请查收。如贵方能供货5000打，请报最优 惠的香港到岸价。,,Part Five,http:/,1. Put the following English into Chinese. (6),我们所需的商品列在所附清单上。如贵方有存货，请告知数量以及最 低的香港到岸价。,(19) The articles we require are listed on the attached sh
44、eet. If you have them in stock, please tell us the quantity and also the lowest CIF Hong Kong price.,(20) Some of our customers have an interest in your canned goods and we wish to have your CIF quotations with samples and full particulars.,我方一些客户对贵方的罐头食品有兴趣，请报到岸价并惠寄样品及详 细资料。,,Part Five,http:/,2. Re
45、ad the following letters and choose the best one from the given answers for the missing prepositions.,to; at; of; with; in; on; for; from; onto; into; by,Letter 1,Dear Sirs, Iron Nails We are interested (1) buying large quantities of Iron Nails of all sizes and would be thankful if you could give us
46、 a quotation per metric ton CIF Lagos, Nigeria.It would also be appreciated if samples and/or a brochure could be forwarded to us.We used to purchase this article from other sources but we now prefer to buy from your corporation because we are given (2) understand that you are able to supply larger quantities (3) more attractive prices. Besides, we have confidence (4) the quality of Chinese products.We look forward to hearing from you (5) return.Yours sincerely,
