LESSON FOUR: HOW TO RESPOND TO AN INQUIRY ABOUT PRODUCTS?--怎样答覆询问?

CONTENTS

Ⅰ. USEFUL EXPRESSIONS 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
常用语


1. How to start your letter of response?


Thank you for your inquiry of June 15.

We are pleased to receive your inquiry about our products.

Thank you for your request for more information on DX320 Digital Communicator.

Thank you for your inquiry of April 5 in which you asked us about our range of baby food.

2. How to tell people that you are able to supply the products they need?

We are pleased to inform you that we have the tools that fit your specifications exactly.

I am pleased to tell you that we can certainly supply you with the digital communicators you asked about.

There would certainly be no trouble in supplying you from our wide selection of women's shoes.

3. How to offer catalog and other sales literature?

I am enclosing our catalog and price-list from which you can find the information you need.

Enclosed is a catalog illustrating our range of products.

I would like to draw your attention to page 15 in the catalog where you will find full details of our TS500 digital camera.

As you will see from the price list, our prices are very competitive.

Although we have enclosed our current price list, we should point out that prices are subject to changes as the market for raw material is very unstable at present.

4. How to talk about your terms of payment?

We can offer you a 5% quantity discount off net prices for orders over 20 units.

We allow a 5% discount for payment within 30 days.

The usual allowance for a trade discount is 5%.

We can allow a 10% discount on all orders of $1000 in value and over.

However, we would be prepared to review these terms once we have established a firm trading association with you.

5. How to tell people that you are unable to supply the products they need?

Unfortunately, we are not able at present to make you an offer, as our production is committed for the next few months.

I regret to say that we no longer produce the type of tools you asked for, since we find there is no longer sufficient demand for it.

I am sorry we do not have the model you asked for, but I would like to suggest an alternative that will certainly meet your expectation.

6. How to end your letter?

Thank you for your interest. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Once again thank you for writing to us, and please contact us if you need any further information.

I hope I have covered all your questions, but please contact me if there are other details you would like to know.

Please write to me again if you have any questions, or call me at the above telephone number.

Please call our office at 000-0000, or fax your reply to 000-0000.

If you need more information, do please get in touch with me.

We look forward to receiving your order.


II. SAMPLE
范文


Dear _________:

Thank you for your request for more information on MFD food processing products.

MFD has been producing quality food processing machines since 1968. We have an excellent reputation for quality, reliability, and service. All our products are designed, engineered, and manufactured in the U.S.A.

I'm enclosing a catalog that describes our products. Please contact me for more sales information and assistance. I would like to be of further service to you.

Again, thank you for your interest in MFD.

Sincerely yours,



__________


III. TIPS
掌握写作要领


1. Treat people who ask questions as customers.
2. Be polite: keep your tone personal and friendly.
3. Be prompt: don't keep people waiting for your answer.
4. Be specific: answer each question clearly.
5. Be concise: place long documents or less important information in attachments.
6. Be helpful: refer to enclosed information or catalog.


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 could guarantee delivery ______ two weeks.
    (A) by
    (B) within
    (C) with
    (D) of

  2. You have certainly made the right choice ____ choosing this new line of baby food.
    (A) at
    (B) with
    (C) in
    (D) on

  3. We have an excellent reputation ____ quality, reliability, and service.
    (A) for
    (B) in
    (C) as
    (D) with

  4. Most of the items you requested can be supplied ____ stock.
    (A) in
    (B) under
    (C) by
    (D) from

  5. _____ you have seen the machine in operation, you will be impressed by its trouble-free performance.
    (A) As
    (B) Although
    (C) Once
    (D) Unless

  6. _____ you have probably seen in our advertisements in fashion magazines, our products appeal to a wide age group.
    (A) As
    (B) Like
    (C) Since
    (D) Because



2. Complete each sentence with a word from the list below:

proving, contact, appeal, enclosed, made, meeting, require, run

(1) We supply high-quality leather goods that to career women and businessmen.

(2) We can supply from stock and will have no trouble in your delivery date.

(3) I am pleased to say that we will be able to deliver the fax machines you .

(4) We think you have an excellent choice in selecting this model.

(5) Our new line of running shoes is to be a leading seller on the sportswear market.

(6) I regret to say that we have out of stock of N6006 Phoenix cameras.

(7) I've a catalog that describes our products.

(8) Please me for more sales information and application assistance.

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

between, to, in, under, at, with

Details of these products can be found on page 23 of the catalog _(1)_ the heading "Leather Goods."

We enclose our catalog and price list _(2)_ details of discounts and delivery dates.

If you'd like to order, you can phone our sales line: [000] 000-0000 _(3)_ 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Please write _(4)_ us again if you have any questions, or call us _(5)_ the above telephone number.

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

  1. "but I regret to say that;, "until July 15;, "thank you for your inquiry", "we have run out of our stock of QX200 cartridges", "and do not expect another delivery"

  2. "for small motors", "you will have to", "a heavy demand at this time of year", "allow at least four weeks for delivery", "as there is"

  3. "as soon as you have seen the samples", "this new line is unique", "you will agree that", "we are sure that"

  4. "enclosed with this letter", "show that our digital camera", "our laboratory reports", "similar products of our competitors", "outperforms"

  5. "of this audio system", "to meet with representatives of your company", "to show you the new features", "we would be glad"


Ⅴ. WRITING CLINIC 写作诊所

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

  1. After (A) inspected all the five banks of your bank, I (B) prepared a proposal for (C) upgrading your (D) communication system.
    正确答案为:

  2. After (A) inspecting the plant, we (B) have prepared a proposal (C) that I (D) enclose for your reference.
    正确答案为:

  3. According to their (A) recommend , we should (B) install a system that will (C) allow employees to (D) share information with each other.
    正确答案为:



2. Correct the following sentences:

  1. I was about calling him when he entered my office.

  2. There are above one thousand employees working in this factory.

  3. We would be grateful if you could help us find a solution to the problems above-mentioned.


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


1. New Words, New Meanings

EDGAR:
n. Electronic Data Gathering and Retrieval
名词缩写语:电子数据收集和获取系统

Example:
The Securities & Exchange Commission uses Electronic Data Gathering and Retrieval to transmit company documents or quarterly reports to investors.


2. A Ready-made Letter for You

You can produce a response letter for yourself by filling in the blanks:

Dear ____________:

Thank you very much for your interest in our ____________[products]
I have enclosed in this letter our latest catalog and price- list. Please refer to the catalog, page ___ to page ___, where you will find detailed information about the ________[product] that you require.

Please contact me if you have any questions. We look forward to serving you.


Yours Sincerely,


_________[name]
_________[title]