LESSON 35: HOW TO RESPOND TO PAYMENTS FROM CUSTOMERS?--怎样回复客户的付款？

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. UPGRADING YOUR ENGLISH 英语升级

VI. GOODIES & GIFTS 实用小礼物

I. USEFUL EXPRESSIONS
常用语

1. How to begin your letter?

Thank you for your payment of $327.80 for your recent order of books from Oceanic Press.

Thank you for your credit transfer for $1327.80 in payment of our invoice.

We have received your check for $327.80 in payment of our July statement.

2. How to praise the customer for prompt payment?

Our bank advised us today that your transfer of $3327.80 was credited to our account. Thank you for prompt payment.

Starting from this month, we'll deduct 3% from your monthly bill each time you pay.

3. How to end your letter?

We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to serving you again.

Thank you for paying so promptly, and we hope to serve you again soon.

We welcome your next order and hope that you will contact us whenever we can help you.



II. SAMPLE
范文

1. Response To Prompt Payment

Dear ____________:

Thank you for your payment of our July statement.

We are pleased to inform you that, starting with this month (August), we'll deduct 3% from your monthly bill each time you pay by the 15th. This favor is a reward to you for prompt payment of your monthly bill during the year you've been our customer.

Thank you again for your cooperation.

Best regards,



____________[name]
____________[title]


2. Response to Partial Payment

Dear _________:

Thank you for your partial payment of $500.00. This leaves only $480.50, which will be due in 30 days.

We look forward to receiving your second payment before July 15 and having you as an open-account customer again.

Sincerely,



____________[name]
____________[title]


3. Response to Over Payment

Dear ___________:

Thank you for your payment of our July statement.

As you will probably remember, we offer a 3% discount to customers who pay their statement within 10 days. Your check #458723 for $1650.00 was received within 10 days, therefore, you are entitled to a discount of $49.50.

We have credited your account for the amount of the discount, and the credit will be reflected on your next month's statement.

Sincerely yours,



___________[name]
___________[title]



III. TIPS
掌握写作要领

1. Tell the customer the payment has been received and express your thanks.
2. If the payment is prompt and correct, acknowledge it and specify any reward if available.
3. If it is a partial payment, express your anticipation for a second payment.
4. If there is any error in the payment, specify the amount and suggest a solution.



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

Click on the word or phrase that fits the sentence:

  1. At this restaurant, you can pay _____ credit card.
    (A) in
    (B) with
    (C) by
    (D) from

  2. If you pay ______ cash, you will get a 3% discount.
    (A) with
    (B) for
    (C) by
    (D) in

  3. The customer is allowed to pay the sound system _____ installments.
    (A) in
    (B) for
    (C) by
    (D) as

  4. I am sending you a check of $1,500 _____ full payment of my account.
    (A) of
    (B) in
    (C) by
    (D) for

  5. If we receive payment within 10 days, you may discount the invoice _____ 4%.
    (A) by
    (B) for
    (C) in
    (D) at

  6. This discount is available only during this quarter, so I urge you to take advantage _____ it.
    (A) on
    (B) with
    (C) in
    (D) of

  7. During the year you've been our customer, you have paid your bill well _____ advance of the 15th every month.
    (A) at
    (B) by
    (C) in
    (D) to

  8. To reward your promptness in payment, we'll deduct 3% ____ your monthly bill each time you pay by the 15th.
    (A) to
    (B) from
    (C) on
    (D) for

  9. You have a balance due of $24.20 because you have ____ the relevant tax and freight charges.
    (A) ignored
    (B) denied
    (C) negated
    (D) overlooked

  10. We have been advised by our bank that your transfer for Invoice #349823 has been credited _____ our account.
    (A) to
    (B) on
    (C) in
    (D) with


V. UPGRADING YOUR ENGLISH
英语升级


Here is an exercise that helps you practice with authentic "online" English:

  1. TrackAll, one of the new search engines, ranks first in database size when measured _____ nine other search engines.
    (A) to
    (B) against
    (C) with
    (D) by

  2. The software company is creating a Web site for the National Football League's Super Bowl, an alliance that could result ____ millions of dollars in revenue for both parties.
    (A) to
    (B) at
    (C) in
    (D) as

  3. The government is relaxing restrictions _____ companies that export powerful data-scrambling technology, used to guarantee privacy of e-mail and credit card sales over the Internet.
    (A) against
    (B) on
    (C) in
    (D) to

  4. The online bookstore surpassed several traditional retail giants _____ market value when its stock price jumped to $324 yesterday, making the company worth about $18 billion.
    (A) by
    (B) on
    (C) for
    (D) in

  5. The country's biggest semiconductor manufacturer says it welcomes talks with the government to resolve a row ____ the planned merger with another chipmakers.
    (A) over
    (B) of
    (C) in
    (D) with

  6. The company's creditors agreed unanimously to freeze new loans after it objected ____ their terms.
    (A) against
    (B) [none]
    (C) in
    (D) to

  7. The computer manufacturer may have found a way to profit _____ the convergence of PC and consumer electronics technologies.
    (A) at
    (B) with
    (C) from
    (D) in

  8. The company's scheme of charging a license fee for its technology doesn't seem to be popular _____ manufacturers looking to take advantage of the new technology.
    (A) to
    (B) from
    (C) with
    (D) for

  9. Chronic weaknesses in the bank's computer system are putting sensitive personal information _____ risk of improper uses, including theft and fraud.
    (A) in
    (B) at
    (C) to
    (D) with

  10. According to leading software company ZAP Co., its Internet commerce joint venture with TechInfo was losing money, but this would not materially hurt ZAP's profits.
    The phrase "materially hurt" means:
    (A) easily hurt
    (B) slightly hurt
    (C) hurt to a limited degree
    (D) seriously hurt



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

1. New Words, New Meanings

green: adj. 1) advocating or promoting environmentalism; 2) related to environmental protection

1) 推行环境保护政策的

Examples:

The Green Party (绿党) of Germany advocated energy-saving measures such as strict autobahn speed limits and tripling gasoline prices to over $11 per gallon.

Any coalition pact with the Greens should involve gasoline-tax hikes and cutbacks in atomic energy.

2) 同环保有关或有利於环保的

Examples:

Many people see the auto maker's green goals as being incompatible with the roaring sales of its gas-thirsty sport-utility vehicles.

Environmentalists contend that the auto maker's new vehicles are nowhere near as green as its old cars.