LESSON 18: HOW TO ASK FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM A CUSTOMER APPLYING FOR CREDIT? --怎样要求信贷申请者提供更多的备询人或资料？


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 WORKSHOP 写作小作坊

VI. GOODIES & GIFTS 实用小礼物

I. USEFUL EXPRESSIONS
常用语

1. How to start your letter?

We appreciate your request for a Gorden credit card.

We're pleased to hear you'd like to establish a credit account with B&G Corporation.

2. How to request the applicant to provide more information?

We require that credit applicants complete the enclosed application form before receiving formal credit approval.

Perhaps you could furnish us with the names of two or three firms from which you are now buying on credit.

Since the available information in support of your credit application is incomplete, we will appreciate your assistance.

One temporary solution we might suggest is for you to find a person or firm that would guarantee your open account with us.

3. How to explain the procedure you will follow?

We'll follow the standard procedure by checking on your past payment record.

Once we've received your completed form we'll notify you within three weeks regarding its acceptance.

We will be happy then to reconsider your request for a credit card.

4. How to end your letter?

I'm sure you can furnish the information we need to reconsider your request.

If you have any questions about the form or our approval requirements, please call me at (000)000-0000.

I will be pleased to help you provide the information we need.


II. SAMPLE
范文


Dear _______:

Thank you for your interest in Kosmos and your request for a line of credit.

Based on the information you supplied us, however, we are not able to grant you the open credit you requested. If you can supply us with current financial statements and two additional references, we will be happy to reconsider your request.

Meanwhile, we will welcome any orders accompanied by a cash payment. Please let us hear from you soon.

Sincerely,


__________
__________


III. TIPS
掌握写作要领

1. Thank the customer for his/her interest in doing business with you.

2. Specify what kind of additional information you need.

3. If necessary, explain why you need more information.

4. Be more helpful by offering suggestions and contact information.


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. More and more of our customers ________ cash and thus avoid the high cost of interest on unpaid balances.
    (A) prefer that they pay
    (B) prefer
    (C) prefer pay
    (D) prefer to pay

  2. This arrangement has worked well _____ a number of our customers.
    (A) to
    (B) with
    (C) for
    (D) toward

  3. _____ you probably know, a routine credit investigation is the usual procedure before new accounts are opened.
    (A) Because
    (B) Since
    (C) As
    (D) While

  4. We find that the information you supplied _____ support of your credit application is incomplete.
    (A) to
    (B) with
    (C) on
    (D) in

  5. We have found that you usually require _____ time to pay than our 25-day terms allow.
    (A) more
    (B) additional
    (C) extra
    (D) too much




2. Fill in the blanks with words chosen from the list below. Add capitalization when necessary:


1) on behalf of, of, as, make a trip to, as a result, unless, in, since

In Sweden, it is illegal for businesses to accept credit card payments online (1) they have obtained the customer's actual signature. (2) , the Swedish postal service is serving (3) the go between, accepting credit card payments (4) merchants. But (5) this requires the customer to (6) the post office, it defeats the purpose (7) completing a transaction online (8) the first place.

2) have the right, promise, against, guarantees, for what purpose,
live up to, if, get, without, wants

When the European Union Directive on Data Protection goes into effect, governments will have the legal tools to prosecute companies that fail to (9) the new standards on data privacy. The directive (10) European citizens absolute control over data concerning them. If a company (11) personal information, it must (12) that person's permission and explain (13) the information will be used. It must also (14) not use the information for anything else (15) that person's consent. Consumers (16) to know the information about them and where it came from. They also have the right to correct the information (17) it is wrong and to file suits (18) anybody who misuses their personal data.



V. WRITING WORKSHOP
写作小作坊


In each of the following pairs of sentences, complete the second sentence so that it has the same meaning as the first sentence. Here is an example:

a) Applicants are required to submit financial statements.
b) The rules require that ....
[Answer] "The rules require that applicants must submit financial statements."

(1)
a) It is the standard procedure with all companies issuing credit cards to check on the applicant's past payment record.

b) Checking on ....


(2)
a) From the information we have been able to gather, you appear to be undercapitalized, which would make it difficult for you to meet payments on our terms.

b) It would be difficult ..., because, ....


(3)
a) If you furnish us with the names of three firms from which you are now buying on credit, we will be happy to reconsider your request for a credit card.

b) We will be happy ... provided that ....


(4)
a) When you have a convenient moment, will you please call at the Credit Office on the second floor?

b) You are welcome ....


(5)
a) You are requested to furnish the information we need to reconsider your application.

b) To reconsider ..., we hope ....





VI. GOODIES & GIFTS 实用小礼物

New Words, New Meanings

emoticon: n. emotion + icon. A symbol made up of punctuation marks that resembles a human expression. It's also called "smiley." Emoticons (or, smileys) are usually used to communicate one's mood in e-mail messages.
由标点符号组成用以表达情感的符号，通常出现在电子邮件中

Example:
:-D (Laugh)
;-) (Wink)
:-X (No comment)