LESSON THREE：HOW TO INQUIRE ABOUT PRODUCTS OR SERVICES?--如何询问产品或服务？


CONTENTS

Ⅰ. USEFUL EXPRESSIONS 询问信常用语

Ⅱ. SAMPLE 范文

Ⅲ.TIPS 掌握写作要领

Ⅳ. EXERCISE, WORDS, PHRASES AND SENTENCE PATTERNS 精通常用词组和句型

Ⅴ. WRITING CLINIC 写作诊所

Ⅵ. GOODIES & GIFTS 实用小礼物

Ⅰ. USEFUL EXPRESSIONS
询问信常用语

1. How to start your letter?
We are a large furniture store in West Bay. We would like to know more about the oriental cupboards you advertised in this month's edition of Asian Trade.
We are a distributor of dairy products serving the West Bay market through 23 retail outlets. Your products attracted our attention at the recent XXXX food fair.
Several of our business associates have told us of the superior XXXX services you offer. We are interested in contracting for these services.

2. How to say what you want?
We are looking for a system that will . . ..
We would be particularly interested in a system that will . . .
We are interested in purchasing a system to communicate more quickly with our clients.
Would you please send me details of the Super-G sports shoes that you advertised in East Asia Business?
I would like to know more about the tape recorders you advertised at cost price in East Asia Business.
We have heard about your latest models and would like to have more details.

3. How to encourage cooperation?
It would be helpful if you could send us technical specifications of your product.
Your cooperation will be truly (greatly) appreciated.
If the product is satisfactory, we will place further orders with you in the future.

4. How to ask for an early reply?
Your prompt attention will be appreciated.
We would be grateful for an early reply.
I would appreciate a prompt reply.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Would you please call me by July 15 with this information?

5. How to help the recipient contact you?
Please call me at 000-0000 and let me know your terms.
I am most easily available between ____ a.m. and ____ p.m.
Please get in touch with Mr. XXXXX at 000-0000 if you need any more information.

Ⅱ. SAMPLE
范文

Dear ___________:

We are a big office equipment store in West Bay. We would like to know more about the DX505 and DX300 Personal Organizers you advertised in this month's edition of HIGH-TECH REVIEW (page 14).

Could you tell us if these two models are compatible with popular personal information management applications such as Microsoft Schedule+, Lotus Organizer, and Symantec ACT!, and whether their advertised prices include the docking cradle and carry pouch? It would also be helpful if you could send us samples of both models. We will place a substantial order if your products meet our requirements. We would also like to know if you are offering any trade discounts.

Could you send me a reply by Thursday, July 23? Thank you.

Yours sincerely,
_______

Ⅲ. TIPS
掌握写作要领

1. If this is the first time you write to the supplier, tell him who you are and how you came to know his firm.
2. If you learned about the product or service from an advertisement, don't forget to mention the name and date of the journal or newspaper.
3. Ask specific questions and make specific requests. State briefly but clearly what you want and why you want it.
4. If you have several questions, use bullets or numbers to identify each question.
5. Don't forget to supply your address and your telephone and fax numbers if they are not already printed.
6. Make it clear if you expect an early reply.

Ⅳ. EXERCISE, WORDS, PHRASES AND SENTENCE PATTERNS
精通常用词组和句型

1. Click on the word or phrase that fits the sentence:

  1. We _____ like to know more about the products you advertised in South Asian Trade.
    (A) could
    (B) would
    (C) should
    (D) had
  2. _______ you please send me details of the dairy products you advertised in Commercial Daily?
    (A) Should
    (B) Will
    (C) Would
    (D) Can
  3. I ______ appreciate more details about the RX101 modem you are advertising in Computer Today.
    (A) could
    (B) should
    (C) can
    (D) would
  4. It would be helpful if you ______ send us a few samples.
    (A) could
    (B) will
    (C) can
    (D) should



2. Complete each of the sentences with a word from the list below(1):

in, by, with, on, to, against, about, of

(1).I am replying your advertisement in the September edition of Business News.

(2).We were impressed the digital cameras displayed on your stand at this year's PhotoTech Exhibition.

(3).Our associates in the software industry speak highly your products.

(4).We have heard your latest models of notebook computers and would like to have more details.
(5).We are interested purchasing a new copy machine for our office.

(6).If you can guarantee delivery within six weeks from receipt of order, we will place regular orders you.

3. Complete each sentence with a word in the list below(2):

appreciate, introducing, quote, meet, specialize, allow, place

(1).Could you let us know if you cash discounts?

(2).We intend to a substantial order, and would therefore like to know what quantity discounts you offer.

(3).I would details about your firm's billing and credit terms.

(4).I'd appreciate it if you could us your best c.i.f. price.

(5). Please send me written information on how well your line of electronic cookers these criteria.
(6).In the catalog we just received from you, we saw that you are a new line of hiking shoes. Could you send us more information about it?

4. Fill in each of the blanks with a word given below:

present, modern, current, contemporary
Could you send us your_(1)_( ) catalog and price list for the SPAC series of calculators?

heavy, significant, vast, substantial
If the calculators are of the standard we require, we will place a _(2)_( ) order.

long, full, big, whole
Could you give us a _(3)_( ) specification of your product and shipping date?

competitive, comprehensive, confidential, competent
If you can quote us a _(4)_( ) price, we would place substantial orders on a regular basis.

5. In each of the following cases arrange the groups of words so that they form a sentence. Add capitalization and punctuation if necessary.

  1. "about their usual discount", "a number of your competitors", "we are also asking", " for regular customers"

  2. "on a regular basis", " and the quality up to the standard", " we will order", " if the prices you offer are competitive"

  3. "we will place", "provided you can offer", " regular orders with you", " favorable quotations"

  4. "we need", "all our orders", "your cooperation", "are shipped as scheduled", " to ensure that"

  5. "what discount you are prepared to offer", "before we decide on a particular service", "for this type of order", "we need to know"


Ⅴ. WRITING CLINIC 写作诊所

Find out grammatical mistakes in the sentences below and enter your correction:

  1. I understand (A) that you are (B) trusted advisors to small companies (C) and provide superior solutions (D) to information management needs.
    正确答案为：

  2. We would like (A) to know if you could (B) provide us (C) more detailed information (D) about your after sale services.
    正确答案为：

  3. Like many other small and (A) medium-sized companies (B) in this area , we are (C) mainly interested (D) to improve our information management system .
    正确答案为：

  4. (A) Since I moved my office (B) to this city three months ago, I have (C) heard your company (D) from various sources .
    正确答案为：




Rewrite the sentences below in Plain English:

  1. We would like to avail ourselves of this opportunity to invite you to quote a price for updating our computer system.

  2. The favor of an early reply will be highly appreciated.


VI. SOMETHING FOR NOTHING
GOODIES & GIFTS （实惠小礼物）

1. New Words, New Meanings

MFN: Most Favored Nation
名词∶最惠国待遇
Example: For almost 20 years, lawmakers have undertaken an annual debate over whether to extend MFN trading status to that country.

NTR: Normal Trade Relations
名词∶正常贸易关系
Example: The "NTR" debate at Capitol Hill concerns whether to change the term "Most Favored Nation" to "Normal Trade Relations."

2. A Readymade Letter for You
Fill in the blanks and produce your own letter of inquiry:

Dear ___________:

Could you please send us details of your ______________[products] that are advertised in the _______ edition of _____________[magazine/newspaper]? We are particularly interested in ______________________[items].

We would appreciate a prompt reply quoting trade prices. Thank you.

Sincerely yours,


_________[name]
_________[title]