Vocabulary Notes:

1. unreasonably непомерно, необоснованно

2. to be in close touch with быть в тесном контакте с

3. to take into consideration принимать во внимание

4. nevertheless тем не менее

5. to depend on зависеть от

6. at least по крайней мере

7. calculations расчеты, вычисления

8. concession уступка

2.

A: I suppose you've received our quotation for some machinery for an automobile plant, haven't you?

B: Yes, we have. We are now comparing your prices and terms with offers received from other manufacturers. But I must tell you at once, Mr. A., that we can't agree to some terms in your offer.

A: Which terms do you mean?

B: First of all we can't agree to a sliding price.

A: I assure you, Mr. B., that very many British firms insist on sliding prices when the time of delivery is longer than 12 months.

B: But you know, of course, that most continental firms are quoting now fixed prices. We cannot agree either to pay 30% of the price in advance. We are prepared to pay 10% of the amount of the order in advance, 15% of each part delivery within 90 days after the dispatch of the shipping documents to us and the remaining 5% after the expiration of the guarantee period.

A: The questions you are raising are very important and I can't decide anything myself. I'm going to cable my Board of Directors and I'll let you know their answer.

Vocabulary Notes:

1. to suppose полагать, думать

2. to compare сравнивать

3. to assure заверять

4. a sliding (fixed) price скользящая (твердая) цена

5. expiration истечение срока

6. dispatch отправка

7. Board of Directors совет директоров

3.

Mr. Crammer: Good afternoon, Mr. Balashov. Let me introduce my colleagues: Mr. Andrew Crown, my Deputy, and Mr. Simon Carrington, our senior engineer.

Mr. Balashov: I am happy to meet you, gentlemen.

C: Sit down, please, and make yourselves comfortable. Are you all right after your long journey?

B: Oh, actually the flight was very nice. As for me, since it was a night flight I slept most of the time, so I'm as fresh as a cucumber now and ready for the talks.

C: That's good. Shall we start with coffee or get down to business straight away?

B: Perhaps we'll start the talks and have coffee a bit later. We've just had our lunch, you know.

C: As you like. Your wish is a must - you are our guests. What shall we start with?

B: You've seen our Tractors T-40 in operation, haven't you?

C: Yes, we have. And we are more or less satisfied with their performance.

B: I'm glad to hear that. Perhaps we'll start with the price and the terms of delivery. Would you like us to quote a CIF or FOB price?

C: As a matter of fact we've got your price-list. Is it the latest?

B: Let me have a look. Yes, it's our latest price-list.

C: Is your price subject to a discount?

B: Well, Mr. Crammer, perhaps we'll come down from theoretical discussion to ground. I wish you would name the exact number of tractors you require and we'll go on from there.

C: All right, Mr. Balashov, we're going to order, say, 100 tractors if the price is reasonable.

B: In that case we'll give you a 10% discount.

C: I agree.

B: Shall we consider the price problem settled?

C: Yes, and you know, Mr. Balashov, your English is very good.

B: Thank you for the compliment. See you tomorrow morning at 10.

C: So long. See you tomorrow.