外贸函电4

Chapter TwoInquiry College of Foreign Languages Shaoxing University Zhang HongWhat is Inquiry?Generally speaking, inquiry is the activity of the importer to inquire for sales information or to ask the seller for the price of a product. So far as an exporter is concerned, inquiry is the activity of the exporter to ask for the buyers response about the transaction conditions offered by the exporter.An inquiry is the beginning of a transaction. Either exporter or importer pays much attention to the inquiry. No matter whether the recipient of an inquiry is interested in it, he must give response to it. An inquiry can be made by a letter which is now normally sent through e-mails or by making telephone calls which is a more direct way.*The Types of InquiryGeneral Inquiry & Specific Inquiry1. General Inquiry: general information, the catalogue or price list, a sample, a quotation, etc.2. Specific Inquiry: the necessary details to enable the receiver to answer the questions completely.In his inquiry an exporter might say “Please advise us of your suggestions about our sales conditions as soon as possible” or “If you are interested in our products, please do not hesitate to contact us.”A sample letter of inquiry(The following is a letter of inquiry from a buyer) 21st of MarchDear Sir or Madam,We are very much interested in your Changhong Brand TV sets of the latest model. Could you please send us your latest product catalogue, price list as well as other trading terms and conditions?If we place a large order, can you give us a discount?We would very much appreciate it if you could answer us as soon as possible.Best regardsSincerely yours,Joan SmithPurchasing Manager of ABC Co., Ltd.An inquiry is not a must in the processes of international trade. The seller or the buyer may offer without receiving an inquiry.Sometimes am inquiry may be a firm one, which means the inquirer promises that he is honest and willing to conduct a transaction. Translate the following sentences into Chinese1. 我们随函寄上询价单一份。2. 盼早日收到你方的询盘。3. 一俟收到贵方询盘，我们即会寄上样品并提供最优惠的报价。4. 如果你方报价具有竞争性的话，我们准备定购男式衬衫。5. 请按照我方询价单报出最低价，并说明最早交货日期。6. 如果你方对电子产品感兴趣，请告知我方。7. 现报盘如下，以你方五日内到有效。8. 如果你方认为此报盘可接受，即来电以便我方确认。9. 请报至温哥华成本保险加运费价，含佣金百分之三。10. 上述报盘以我方最后确认为准。 Translate the following sentences into English1. We shall be very glad to place our order with you if your quotation is competitive and delivery date acceptable.2. As soon as we receive your specific inquiry, we will cable you our quotation.3. If you are interested, please cable us, indicating the quantity you require.4. We find your offer interesting and shall give you our definite replay in a few days.5. This offer is firm, subject to your reply reaching here by the end of this month.6. This is our latest price list. You will find our price is very competitive.7. It is only in view of our long-standing business relations that we make you such an offer.8. We can reconsider our price if your order is big enough.9. We shall make you our most favorable quotations CRF Lagos upon receipt of your specific inquiry.10. As the price we quote is quite reasonable, and we trust it will be acceptable to you. Translate the following letter into English16th of April, 2002Dear Sirs,We are pleased to receive your inquiry of April 10. As requested, we are enclosing our illustrated catalogue and price list. We are also sending you by separate post some samples and feel confident that when you have examined them you will agree that the goods are both excellent in quality and reasonable in price.On regular purchases in quantities of not less than 1 000 gross of individual items, we would allow you a discount of 2%. Payment is to be made by irrevocable L/C at sight.(To be continued)Because of their softness and durability, our cotton bed-sheets and pillowcases have rapidly become popular, and after studying our prices you will not be surprised to learn that we are finding it difficult to meet the demand. But if you place your order not later than the end of this month, we would ensure prompt shipment.We look forward to your early reply.Yours faithfully, Translate the following letter into English敬启者：事由：纺织品本公司是芝加哥最大的纺织品进口商之一。我们希望与贵公司建立直接的贸易关系，发展我们两国之间的贸易。随函附上第 345号询价单一份，盼望你方早日给我们报芝加哥到岸价，包括我方百分之五的佣金。报价时，请说明最早的交货期和可供应量。倘若你方报价具有竞争性的话，我们打算大量成交。早日答复，不胜感激。谨上， Write a letter with the following particularsDear Sir or Madam,We are very much interested in importing your “Swan” Armchairs displayed at the Guangzhou Fair. Therefore, we would appreciate your sending detailed information on CIF prices, discounts, and delivery schedule.Please also supply pamphlets or catalogues if you have them available. Please indicate any new items not y