Unit 5 ORDERS

Lesson 1

If the seller's offer is right, an order may be expected to follow.

The really difficult part of the business is now over and the remaining
correspondence is largely routine.
In placing of an order, first of all, accuracy is essential. An error in
quoting a catalogue number, or a mistyped figure in the quantity column
can cause trouble which it may be impossible to put right later. All this
is very elementary, but such errors are known to occur; a double check
at all stages is the only prudent course.
Clarity is also essential. The buyer must make clear to the seller
exactly what he wants. Most firms will agree that there is room for
improvement here. In the export business there are also other things
needed besides an accurate description of the goods: for example,
method of transport, packing, delivery and insurance, or possibly
method of payment, if this has not been settled already. Then the buyer
may require some special documents for his own use or to satisfy import
regulations. These must be asked for - the exporter cannot always know
what the buyer requires in this respect. Large firms will most probably
use an export order form for ordering; the special requirements are
printed on this form, and possibly also the details of terms and
conditions of purchase.
When ordering goods, a customer will generally include the
following in his letter:
a) A reference to a visit by the supplier's representative, or to an
advertisement or catalogue, or to a sample, or to previous
correspondence. This applies particularly to a first order. In subsequent
orders the buyer may begin his letter with:
b) Details of the goods required: quantity, quality, catalogue
number, packing, etc.
c) Conditions and qualifications.
d) Alternatives which are acceptable if the goods ordered are not
available.
e) A closing sentence, perhaps encouraging the supplier to execute
the order promptly and with care.

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 Expressions used in orders

Opening lines:
1) Thank you for your offer of 1 July, which we accept on the
terms quoted.
2) We enclose our order No. 47791 for ...
3) We have pleasure in ordering the following articles from your
winter catalogue:
4) Thank you for letting us have samples of ... . We would be glad
if you would supply us with ...
5) Will you please arrange immediate dispatch of ...

Referring to quality:
1) The quality must be up to sample...
2) Weight and colour must be as sample supplied...
3) A medium quality would be suitable...
4) Only fruit packed so as to be in fresh condition on arrival can be
accepted.
5) There is no market here for the higher-priced cameras. Please
send only models in the medium price-range.
6) We enclose a trial order. If the quality is up to our expectations,
we shall send further orders in the near future.
7) The material supplied must be absolutely waterproof and we
place our order subject to this guarantee.

Alternative goods:
1) If pattern No 63A is not available please send 64, 65 or 66A
instead.
2) Please supply the nearest you have to the enclosed sample.
3) We leave it to your discertion to supply a suitable substitute,
should you not have what we want, but the price must not exceed $1.75
per kg.
4) If you have a similar article but of better quality, please supply
it instead, provided the price is not more than 10% higher.

Rejecting an offer:
1) Many thanks for your offer of 3 March. We are sorry to have to
tell you that we cannot make use of it at present.

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 2) We thank you for your offer and will bear it in mind, should we
have need of such equipment at any time.
3) Thank you for your quotation for the supply of ... but we have
been obliged to place our order elsewhere in this instance.
4) Many thanks for your reply to our enquiry for steel furniture.
We will keep your catalogue for further reference, but think your
products too highly priced for this market.
5) We appreciate your offer of a reduced price, but are of the
opinion that the market would not stand an article of this quality at all.

Cancellation, Warning of Cancellation:

1) Please delete from the order any goods which you (cannot
supply ex-stock) (cannot ship within 14 days) (cannot supply exactly to
sample).
2) We must insist on the observance of our terms and conditions.
If you cannot do this, we regret that we shall have to cancel the order.
3) As you have failed to deliver within the specified time, we have
no alternative but to cancel our order.
4) The recent slump in the market here makes it unavoidable for us
to cancel the remainder of our order.
5) We regret having to cancel our order for the two further
machines, but the worsening of the trading position here gives us no
alternative.

Vocabulary:

a catalogue number - номер по каталогу

method of transport - способ транспортировки

import regulations - положения об импорте товара;

таможенные правила
an order form - бланк заказа
qualifications зд.: положения, условия
a trial order - пробный заказ
ex-stock - со склада
to cancel an order - аннулировать заказ
slump - резкий экономический спад,
кризис

Exercises:
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Exercise 1: Read and translate the expressions used in orders.

Exercise 2: Translate the following letters:

Dear Sirs:

We are in receipt of your letter of May 14, and shall be glad if you
will buy for our account the quantity B.O.P. Darjeeling Tea mentioned
by you at Rs. 3 per kg payable at 30 days, and send us about one third of
it by rail and the rest you keep in godown on our behalf.
Please effect insurance against fire at purchase rates plus 20% and
retain the same at our disposal.

Yours faithfully,

Reply to above:

Dear Sirs:

We are glad to receive your acceptance of our offer, and note that
you have decided to buy this parcel of B.O.P. Darjeeling Tea. We hope
you will be satisfied with the quality in consideration of the price, and
assure you that in any future business it will be our endeavour to give
the best possible service and the quality goods.
This day we have dispatched 25 cartons of tea at your account and
risk through passenger train. The remaining cartons have been kept in
the godown as per your instructions. We have also taken out the
insurance of the goods and the policy is with us to be forwarded to you
if you wish so.
Enclosed here is our account for this bargain.

Yours faithfully,

Encl.

Vocabulary:

account - счет

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for smb.’s account - за счет кого-либо
at Rs. 3 per Kg - по цене 3 рупии за килограмм
payable at 30 days - с оплатой в течение 30 дней
a godown - склад товаров
to effect - осуществлять
purchase rate - зд.: стоимость товара
to retain - сохранять, удерживать
at disposal - в распоряжении
it will be our endeavour - мы приложим все усилия, мы
сделаем все возможное
to dispatch - посылать, высылать
to forward - направлять, отправлять
as per - в соответствии
to take out the insurance - страховать
a bargain - сделка, покупка
a parcel - партия (товара)

NOTE:
The most common means of transportation used for delivery of the
goods are:
road transport:
van - фургон;
lorry - грузовик;
truck (Am.) - грузовик;
container - контейнер;
rail transport:
passenger train - пассажирский поезд;
goods train (cargo transport) - товарный поезд;
freight-liner (freight-train) (Am.) - товарный поезд;
sea transport:
carrier (ship, vessel, craft) - судно;
cargo carrier (cargo ship, freight ship, freight boat) - грузовое судно;
tanker (oil ship) - танкер;
dry-cargo ship - сухогруз;
ferry - паром;
hovercraft - судно на воздушной подушке;
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hydrofoil boat - судно на подводных крыльях;
container cargo ship - контейнеровоз;
barge - баржа;
lighter - лихтер;
air transport:
plane - самолет;
helicopter - вертолет.
Common words concerning packing are as follows:
bag - пакет;
bale - кипа, тюк;
barrel - деревянная бочка, бочонок;
box - ящик (из дерева или металла);
bundle - связка, пачка, жгут;
can (Аm.) - консервная банка;
carboy - балон, бутыль;
carton - картонная коробка;
case - прочный ящик (иногда скрепленный рейками);
cask - бочка;
container - контейнер;
crate - решетчатая тара;
drum - цилиндрический контейнер;
hogshead - большая бочка;
keg - бочонок (емкостью до 10 галлонов);
sack - куль, мешок;
tin - консервная банка
Exercise 3: Insert the missing prepositions where necessary
and translate into Russian:

1) The price ... which the equipment was ordered was fixed and
not subject ... any alterations.
2) As the goods were bought ... f.o.b. terms, the Suppliers placed
them ... board ... steamer ... their expence. They also had to pay the port
and dock dues ... the cargo.
3) According ... the contract, payment is to be made ... cash ...
London ... 45 days ... the dispatch ... Rossimport ... all the shipping and
technical documents.
4) As you had not delivered the goods ... the 1st July, you are to
pay us agreed and liquidated damages ... delay ... delivery.
5) The damages were calculated ... the rate ... 0.5 per cent ... week
... the value ... the equipment.
6) The Buyers informed the Sellers that they would reject ... the
goods if the delay ... delivery should last ... twelve weeks.
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 7) We shall be obliged if you will inform us ... the readiness ... the
equipment ... inspection ... least ten days ... advance.
8) Rossimport informed the Suppliers that the damage ... the goods
was due ... inadequate packing.
9) Taking ... account your client's requirements, we agree to
prepare the goods ... your final inspection ... our works ... August.
10) We shall be glad to hear whether the changes ... the
specification proposed ... us are acceptable ... you.

Exercise 4. Fill in the missing words and translate the letter:

Our order ... 50 "Marie" dresses ... various colours and sizes is ...
with this letter. You will see ... the order that ... is required ... 1 May ...
the latest.
Will you please quote us ... 1000 "Audrey" dressing gowns, and ...
us know whether you have these models ... stock.

Exercise 5: Write a letter based on these notes:

thanks for order (No., date) - goods dispatched (ship, date due) -
invoice enclosed - goods carefully selected - packed crates - safe arrival
- excellent value - hope good sales - rely on us - at your service.

Lesson 2

Exercises

Exercise 1: Translate from English into Russian:

1) Thank you for your reply of 14 May regarding the cassettes we

wrote to you about. Enclosed you will find our official order ...
2) Your letter of 12 October convinced me to place at least a trial
order for the "Letherine" material you spoke about.
3) Once we have received your advice, we will send a banker's
draft (банковская тратта) to ...
4) Although the rather low trade discount of 15% disappointed us,
we will place an order and hope that this allowance can be reviewed at
some time in the near future.

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 5) Delivery before February is a firm condition of this order, and
we reserve the right to refuse goods delivered after this time.
6) We advise delivery by road to avoid constant handling of this
fragile consignment (товар; партия товара).
7) The mashines must be well greased with all movable parts
secured before being loaded into crates, which must be marked.
8) Your order No 6712/1 is now being processed and should be
ready for dispatch by next week.
9) We are pleased to advise you that the watches you ordered - No
8815/24 - were put on flight BA 165 leaving Zurich 11.00, 9 August
arriving Manchester 13.00. Please find enclosed air waybill DC 15161/3
and copies of invoice A113/3.
10) If the goods sell as well as we hope, we shall send further
orders in the near future.

Exercise 2. Translate from Russian into English:

Уважаемые господа!

Мы подтверждаем получение Вашего письма от ... (дата) и

просим Вас принять к выполнению заказ на 3 насосные машины.
Мы согласны с назначенными Вами ценами.
Доставка должна быть осуществлена по вышеуказанному
адресу к ... (дата). Поскольку Вы ничего не упомянули о
гарантийном сроке, который обычно предоставляется при поставке
машин, мы хотим указать, что просим дать двухгодичный срок
гарантии, в течение которого Вы обязаны выполнять любые
ремонтные работы бесплатно.
Мы будем рады, если Вы известите нас о получении нашего
заказа и Вашем мнении о наших условиях.

С уважением,

Exercise 3. Write a letter to a foreign manufacturer of some

article you are familir with. Enclose an order and
state your requirements regarding quantity,
quality, appearance and delivery.

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