3. Offer

In many types of business it is the practice of the seller to offer goods to his regular customers and to others who may be interested, without waiting for an enquiry. Similarly, suppliers regularly make special offers of goods when prices are particularly favourable.

Specimen letters

No 1

Offer of Brazilian coffee

Export Coffee

Rio de Janeiro

Brazil 14 April, 2001

Dear Sirs,

You will be interested to hear that we have been able to obtain a further supply of Brazilian coffee of the same quality as that we supplied you with last year. The total consignment is only 10,000 kg, and we are pleased to offer it to you at 60 p per kg, with the increases in freight charges which become effective next month, the next consignment will be rather dearer, so we recommend you to take advantage of this offer, which is firm for 5 days only, and to fax you order without delay.

Yours faithfully,

Brazilian Coffee

(signature) M.Rodriges,

Sales Manager

No 2

French wine exporter’s offer to British importer

Country Journal

21 Orbit Road

London W8 9RT

England 30 December, 2001

Dear Sirs,

Henkinson & Co. of Towgate St., with whom we have been doing business for a number of years, have informed us that you will probably be replenishing your stock of French white wines in the near future.

You know that we had exceptionally good seasons in 1983, and that the fine quality of our white vintages of that year is renowned both in your country and in ours.

We are now shipping these wines, and could be very glad to welcome you as customers. Our full export price-list is enclosed.

These wines have always been sold very well in Britain.

We will be pleased to supply you with the first order against settlement within 30 days of date of invoice, and with 2% discount.

Immediate shipment from Bordeaux is guaranteed.

Yours faithfully,

Vins de France

(signature) R.Camus,

Export Manager

I. Translate into Russian and make up sentences of your own:

- We thank you for your letter of 6 January…

- In reply (replying) to your fax of…

- We have pleasure in offering you the following goods…

- You will find enclosed with this letter a sample of our wax polish (pattern of our new silk fabric, specimen of our latest ball-point pen)…

- Our prices are quoted… (… f.o.b. Liverpool / f.a.s. Liverpool; … c.i.f. Hamburg / c.i.f. London)

- Our prices include packing and carriage.

- Freight and packing cases are included in the price.

- All prices are ex-works…

- Raw material prices have risen.

- We can quote you £2.50 per litre (per dozen, per metre, per square metre).

- We can offer you these goods at below market price (at less than cost, at the very special price of, at cost price, on very favourable terms).

- Our terms are payment on invoice (net cash, cash within 7 days, cash on delivery, cash with order, spot cash, monthly/quarterly settlement).

- Payment by banker’s draft (irrevocable letter of credit, bill of exchange) is requested.

- This offer is firm for 3 days (subject to contract).

- This is a special offer and is not subject to our usual discounts.

- Goods offered from our old catalogue can be supplied only until stocks are exhausted.

- This article is in great demand.

- There is no demand here for such goods.

- We can offer you a wide range (choice, selection) of sizes and types from stock.

- These goods are available immediately from stock.

- Supplies of this commodity on world markets exceed the demand.

- The exceptional demand this season has nearly cleared our stocks of…

- As we have a good supply of these machines we can effect shipment within 5 days.

- Please send us you instructions by cable (fax).

- Please wire (telephone) your order.

- Kindly confirm your order at the price quoted.

- Your reply by return would be appreciated.

- If you let us have your instructions by midday Thursday at the latest we could ship your order by “Orion”, which sails on 23 August.

- Our services are at your disposal.

- We look forward to pleasure of serving you.

- We are sure that these goods will meet your requirements, and we look forward to your first order.

- We should appreciate the opportunity of showing you how effectively we can serve you.