Enquiries

In an enquiry letter state simply, clearly and concisely what you want – general information, a catalogue a sample, etc. – and no more.

When making an enquiry observe the following rules:

1. Begin with the question(s) you want to ask; your reader then knows at once what your enquiry about.

2. Put your request in a form of a question, not a statement. Don’t say : “I would like to know in what shades you can supply shirts”. Say instead: “In what shades can you supply the shirts?”

3. Keep your enquiry short and to the point. Say what needs to be said and then stop.

Any enquiry must be acknowledged. The letter of acknowledgement is an OFFER of a supplier to a potential customer.

Task 2.Make plans for enquiries and offers. Use information from the textbook: p.p.129-132 and p.p.155-158.

Task 3. Translate sample letters into Russian.

Enquiry

Dear Sir,

Some years ago we bought from you a consignment of wrist watches in stainless steel cases with unbreakable glass.

We are interested to know whether you are still making watches of this type and, if so, should be glad to have particulars, including prices for quantities of not less than one hundred. We should require delivery within four weeks of order.

Yours faithfully

Offer

Dear Sir,

Thank you for your enquiry of 8^th April.

We are still making watches of the type referred to and welcome the prospect of your renewed custom. Owing to the increased demand for them we can now offer these watches in a wider range than when you placed your last order.

For quantities of not less than one hundred of each type, CIF Manchester, are from $12.75 each for the “POPULAR” to $32.60 each for the “ARISTICRAT”. These prices are subject to a trade discount of 40% on the exworks cost.

The enclosed booklet contains details of all our watches and will enable you to make a suitable selection. For all types we can promise delivery well within the period of four weeks mentioned in your letter.

Yours faithfully

Task 4. Read and translate the enquiry letter and write the acknowledgement for it.

Dear Sir,

For a number of years we have been imported electric shavers from the United States but now learn that these shavers can be obtained from British manufacturers. We wish to extend our present range of models and should be glad if you could supply us with a list of British manufacturers likely to be able to help us.

If you cannot supply the information from your records, could you please refer our enquiry to the appropriate quarter in London.

Yours faithfully

Task 5. Read and translate the offer. Compose an enquiry to which this letter will be the answer.

Dear Sir,

We thank you for your enquiry of 25^th April. I am glad to say that we can help you.

The “Universal” typewriter is an excellent machine and is quite suitable for tabulation. We have it in stock and can supply it with a carriage able to take papers up to 60 cm wide. The enclosed booklet describes the machine in detail.

Also from stock we can supply several makes of power-operated offset duplicators, including the well-known “Gestetner” and “Roneo” models. Both are excellent machines able to turn out copies at the rate of fifty a minute. Illustrated leaflets describing the machines are enclosed.

We feel you may also be interested in a very modern system of filing recently put up on the market by Harveys of Birmingham. The system is specially designed for firms handling the accounts of large numbers of customers.

May we suggest a visit to our showrooms. We could then demonstrate the various machines and show you our very wide range of modern office appliances and equipment.

Yours faithfully