Discussing the Guarantee Period

Borisov studied the offer for the pumps very closely. He thought that the technical characteristics of LS 8 pump would suit the customers.

He got in touch with Mr. Parks and visited his office. During their talks they discussed the clauses of the contract.

Borisov: Good morning, Mr. Parks. Very glad to see you again.

Parks: Good morning, Mr. Borisov. What terrible weather we are having!

Borisov: Yes, it has been raining since early morning.

Parks: I hope it will clear up by the evening.

Borisov: Perhaps it will. Mr. Parks, the matter I’d like to bring up today is the guarantee period. I know it’s 12 months from the date of putting the pumps into operation, but not more than 18months from the delivery date.

Parks: That’s right.

Borisov: Well, I find it rather short. We’d like it to be extended by two and three months respectively, as the usual guarantee period for this type of equipment is longer.

Parks: Now, look. Model LS 8 is of a new design and only a small number of units have been manufactured so far. Although we have good reports about their performance we can’t formally guarantee their reliability for a longer period.

Borisov: I see. But, Mr. Parks, I believe that the contract will specify that if any defects are found during the guarantee period you are to correct them promptly and at your expense.

Parks: Yes, this is our usual obligation, but of course we do that only if we are responsible for the defects, not if they appear through your fault.

Borisov: This seems reasonable. Let’s consider one more possibility. Suppose we would like some faulty parts to be replaced, on what terms will you deliver the replacements?

Parks: We’ll try to supply them immediately and pay the cost of their insurance and transport. Will that suit you?

Borisov: Quite.

Parks: By the way, if you want special service visits of our engineers to be arranged after the guarantee period, we can always do that.

Borisov: Shall we have to pay for such visits?

Parks: Yes. You should authorize such visits and pay the engineer’s fare to and in Belarus, hotel expenses and the cost of each job he will do.

Borisov: Thank you. I’ll have to look into the matter. Could we meet on Thursday, say at 12?

Parks: Let’s make it 2 if you don’t mind. I have an appointment at 12 which I don’t want to break.

Borisov: Very good.

Ex.24. Give Russian equivalents of the following word combinations:

Terrible weather; clear up; to bring up; the guarantee period; putting the pumps into operation; the delivery date; to be extended by two months; respectively; to be of a new design; so far; their performance; to guarantee their reliability; will specify; if any defects are found; to correct; at your expense; our usual obligation; are responsible for; through your fault; consider one more possibility; faulty parts to be replaced; to deliver the replacements; the cost of insurance and transport; special service visits; to authorize such visits; hotel expenses; the cost of each job; to look into the matter; to break an appointment.

Ex.25. Say what you have learnt from the dialogue about:

The guarantee period for LS 8 pumps; the service visits the company arranged after the guarantee period.

Ex.26. a) Complete the dialogue.

Borisov: I know that your guarantee period is 12 months from the date of putting the pumps into operation but not more than 18 months from the delivery date.

Parks: …

Borisov: we’d like it to be extended by two and three months respectively.

* * *

Borisov: I know … 12 … 18 …

Parks: That’s right.

Borisov: We’d like … respectively.

b) Reproduce the dialogue or give you own.

Ex.27. Work on the words.