ENQUIRIES  Methods of enquiry  Writing letters of enquiry  Specimen letters ENQUIRIES  Methods of enquiry: • An enquiry can be made by telephone, fax, or email. • The contents of an enquiry will depend on 3 things: o How well you know the supplier o Whether your supplier is based in your country or abroad o The type of goods/services you are enquiring about. ENQUIRIES  Writing letters of enquiry • Opening: o Tell your supplier what sort of organization you are. Eg: We are a co-operative wholesales society based in Zurich. Our company is a subsidiary of Universal Business Machines and we specialize in… We are one of the main producers of industrial chemicals in Germany and we are interested in…. ENQUIRIES o How did you hear about the company you are contacting? Eg: We were given your name by the Hoteliers Association in Paris. The British Consulate in Madrid has told us that you are looking for an agent in Spain to represent you. You were recommended to us by Mr John King, of Lasworn and Davies, Merchant Bankers. ENQUIRIES o It is possible to use other references: Eg: We were impressed by the selection of gardening tools displayed on your stand at this year’s Hamburg Gardening Exhibition. Our associates in the packaging industry speak highly of your Zeta packing machines, and we would like to have more information about them. Could you send us… ENQUIRIES • Main section: asking for certain purpose (price list, sample…) o Asking for catalogues, price lists…: remember to give your postal address Eg: Could you please send your current catalogue and price list for exhibition stands? We are particularly interested in stands suitable for displaying furniture. I would appreciate your sending me and up-to-date price list for your building materials. ENQUIRIES o Asking for details: goods/services you want to know. Eg: I am replying to your advertisement in the June edition of “Tailor and Cutter”. I would like to know more about the steam presses which you are offering at cost price. Could you please give me more information about course BL362, which appears in the language-learning section of your summer prospectus? ENQUIRIES o Asking for samples, patterns, demonstrations Eg: As these are children’s toys, we pay much attention to safety. Could you therefore send us at least two samples? Where can I see a demonstration of this system? ENQUIRIES o Suggesting terms, methods of payment and discounts: cash discount, trade discount, quantity discount and loyalty discount. Eg: We usually deal on a 30% trade discount for orders over 1,000 units. Could you let us know if you allow cash discount? As we intend to place a substantial order, we would like to know what quantity discounts you allow. ENQUIRIES o Asking for goods on approval, or on sale: Eg: We want to test the demand for new products, so would you please give us half of dozen goods on approval? [...]... for an early reply ENQUIRIES  Specimen letters • Short enquiries • Reply to an advertisement • Enquiry from a buying agent • Enquiry from a retailer to a foreign manufacturer • Request for goods on approval • Request for an estimate REPLIES AND QUOTATIONS  Replying to letters of enquiry  Quotations  Specimen letters REPLIES AND QUOTATIONS  Replying to letters of enquiry • Opening: thank the writer... payment by irrevocable letter of credit REPLIES AND QUOTATIONS  Specimen letters • Short replies • Catalogues and samples • “Selling” the product • Offer of an alternative • Quotation of terms • Goods on approval • An estimate ORDERS  Placing an order  Acknowledging an order  Refusing an order  Advice of despatch  Specimen letters ORDERS  Placing an order: Orders are usually written on a company’s... We can supply from stock and will have no trouble in meeting your delivery date We can offer door-to-door delivery services REPLIES AND QUOTATIONS o “Selling” your product: persuade the customer to do business with you by showing some selling point of your product Eg: We can assure you that the Alpha 2000 is one of the most outstanding machines on the market REPLIES AND QUOTATIONS o Suggesting alternatives: . for an estimate REPLIES AND QUOTATIONS  Replying to letters of enquiry  Quotations  Specimen letters REPLIES AND QUOTATIONS  Replying to letters of enquiry • Opening: thank the writer for his/her. ENQUIRIES  Methods of enquiry  Writing letters of enquiry  Specimen letters ENQUIRIES  Methods of enquiry: • An enquiry can be made by telephone, fax,. are a co-operative wholesales society based in Zurich. Our company is a subsidiary of Universal Business Machines and we specialize in… We are one of the main producers of industrial chemicals