Section II Specimens
1．A General Enquiry and Its Reply
Dear Sirs,
Your firm has been recommended to us by the Haier Electrics Company, with whom we have done business for many years.
We are interested in your electric typewriters for use in offices and shall be glad if you will send us a copy of your illustrated catalogue and current price list.
We are awaiting your prompt reply.
Yours sincerely,
Susan Bloc
Manager
(A Reply)
Dear Ms. Bloc,
We welcome you for your enquiry of Feb. 1 and thank you for your interest in our commodities. We are enclosing some copies of our illustrated catalogues and a price list giving the details you asked for.
We trust that you will agree that our products and price appeal to the most selective buyer. And we also allow a proper discount according to the quantity ordered.
Thank you again for your interest in our products. We are looking forward to your order and you may be assured that it will receive our prompt and careful attention.
Yours truly,
Li Ming
Export Manager
Notes
1．catalogue: a handbook on which products range and their specification introduction are given商品目录
illustrated catalogue: a catalogue with pictures of the products带插图的商品目录
2．appeal to: attractive to有吸引力的，感兴趣的
3．discount: a reduction in the usual price of something折扣
In marketing, discount is the price off, there are trade discount, quantity discount, cash discount and prompt-delivery discount.
折扣，包括商业折扣，数量折扣，付现折扣和即付折扣。
4．assure vt．保证
You may be assured that we will do our best to expedite shipment.
2．A Special Enquiry for White Cat Shampoo and Its Reply
Dear Sirs,
White Cat Shampoo
We are interested in buying large quantities of White Cat Shampoo and should be obliged if you would give us a quotation per bottle CIF Lagos Nigeria.
It would also be appreciated if samples and 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 understand you are able to supply large quantities at more attractive prices. Besides, we have confidence in the quality of Chinese products.
We look forward to hearing from you by return.
Yours faithfully,
P. T. Lin
(A Reply)
Dear Sirs,
In reply to your letter of August 15th, we are giving you an offer, subject to our final confirmation, as follows:
Commodity: White Cat Shampoo
Specifications: as per attached list
Packing: Ply-plastic bottle of 200g. net,50 bottles in a carton
Quantity: 100 cartons
Price: RMB 55 per bottle CIF Lagos
Shipment: September/October,2007
Payment: Confirmed, Irrevocable L/C payable by draft at sight to be opened 30 days before the time of shipment.
Under separate cover, we have sent you samples and the brochure required.
If you find the above acceptable, please cable us for confirmation.
Yours faithfully,
H. Liang
Encl.
Notes
1．brochure: a handbook/pamphlet说明书，小册子
2．by return: reply immediately立即回复
3．in reply to: in answer to兹答复
This is in reply to your letter of August 25.
4．subject to: be liable to容易受到影响的
The offer is subject to confirmation.
5．as per: according to/based on, (but this phrase is only applied to business correspondence)按照
We handle a wide range of light industrial products as per list enclosed.
6．net: after all the things like tax, rent, electricity have been paid (付清税款、租金和电费等之后)净的；纯的
This word is contrary to “gross”referring to the price or profit or weight without cost or without package weight, for example, net price(without commission), net weight (the weight of something without its container), net profit (no cost involved).
3．A Status Enquiry and Its Favorable Reply
April 4,2007
The manager
Barminster Bank Ltd.
London. EC2 5BP
England
Private&Confidential
Dear Sirs,
The Colston Engineering Co. Ltd. has asked for a standing credit of $10,000, but as our knowledge of the company is limited to a few months, trading on an L/C basis, we would like to have some information about their financial and credit standing before dealing with the request.
The only reference they give us is that of their bank, the National Bank of Nigeria. We shall be most grateful for any information you can obtain for us.
Yours faithfully,
The bank of China
Henan Branch
Manager
(A Reply)
April 14,2007
The Bank of China
Henan Branch
Zhengzhou, China
Private&Confidential
Dear Sirs,
We have now received from the National Bank of Nigeria the information asked for in your letter of April 4. The company you mentioned is a private company run as a family concern by three brothers and was founded fifteen years ago. It enjoys a good reputation. As far as our information goes, it is punctually meeting its commitments and a credit in the sum you mention would seem to be safe.
The information is strictly confidential and is given without any responsibility on our part.
Yours faithfully,
Barminster Bank Ltd.
Manager
Notes
1．standing credit: a credit of fixed amount资信状况
2．reference: a confidential written statement about a person's character, ability or financial position介绍人，资信证明人
3．concern: a business organization公司
family concern: a family-owned business/a business run by family
4．commitment: a promise, a pledge or an undertaking to do sth．承诺，保证，责任
5．on one's part: on one's side由……承担，在……一边
The responsibility of shipment arrangement is on seller's part according to contract terms and conditions.