4 外贸enquires & replies

向客户进行询盘1. 文体介绍在对外贸易中，询盘，也叫询价（inquiry或enquiry）是买方或买方对于所要购买或出售的商品向另一方作出的询问。

询盘是交易的起点，可以分为：普通询盘（a general inquiry）:索取普通资料，诸如：目录（a catalogue）、价目表或报价单（a price-list or quotation sheets）、样品（a sample）、图片（illustrated photo prints）等。

具体询盘（a specific inquiry）: 具体询问商品名称（the name of the commodity）、规格（the specifications）、数量（the quantity）、单价（the unit price FOB…CIF…）,装船期（the time of shipment）、付款方式（the terms of payment）等。

询盘一般多为买方向卖方发出，买方通过询盘信，简明扼要的向卖方了解一般的商品信息。

利用E-mail 写询盘信，无须写的过分客气，只需具体、简洁、措词得体。

有的询盘信开门见山，直截了当说明订购打算，希望对方给予一定优惠条件；有的询盘信则以征询信息的方式，不许下订货诺言，以避免结果未订购可能形成的日后交易中的障碍。

2．实用范例Subject: EnquiryDear Sir,We are interested in buying large quantities of steel screws in all sizes.We would be obliged if you would give us a quotation per kilogram C&F Liverpool, England. It would also be appreciated if you could forward samples and your price-list to us.We used to purchase these products from other sources. We may now prefer to buy from your company because we understand that you are able to supply larger quantities at more attractive prices. In addition, we have confidence in the quality of your products.We look forward to hearing from you by return E-mail.Sincerely,Xxx3、参考译文主题：询盘亲爱的先生：本公司有意大量购买各型号钢螺钉，欲知每公斤运抵英国利物浦的成本价运费价格。

The following structure may be referred to in writing an inquiry:
1. State the source of the information and make a selfintroduction at the beginning of the letter.
商务英语写作>>Unit Three Enquiries
Useful Information
Kinds of enquiry(1)
Sample 1
A General Enquiry
Dear Sir/Madam,
Thank you very much for your letter of December 12th from which we know that you are exporting Electric Products. We have an enquiry here for your products and their packing in detail as soon as possible for our reference. We would also like to have your price list.
If possible, tell the reader where you learnt of his company or its products.
Useful Information
Kinds of enquiry(1) General enquiry
In which the buyer hopes to get the general information about the goods he wants to buy from the seller.

We have made a good selection of patterns and sent them to you by parcel post. Their fine qualities, attractive designs and reasonable prices at which we offer them will convince you that these materials are really good value.
Unit 4 Enquiry
询盘
Teaching points
1.Introduction of enquiry 2. What is the definition of different enquiry? 3. Words and expressions used in such
letters (Teaching difficulty) 4. How to write and reply an enquiry?
dozen of individual items
How to reply an enquiry?
Enquiries mean potential business, so the reply to an enquiry should be prompt, courteous and provide all the information asked for.
Introduction
In foreign trade, enquiries are usually made by the buyers without engagement to get information about the goods to be ordered, such as catalogue, price, the quantity available (which the seller can provide), the payment terms, delivery date and other terms.

enquiry的用法概述：Enquiry是一个常见的英语单词，通常用于商务和正式场合中。

它可以指询问、查询或调查等不同含义。

在本文中，我们将探讨enquiry的不同用法及其在交流中的适当使用场景。

一、 Enquiry作为名词：1. 一般意义上，Enquiry表示询问或咨询某事物，并寻求相关信息。

示例：If you have any enquiries about our products, please feel free to contact our customer service team.如果关于我们的产品有任何疑问，请随时与我们的客服团队联系。

2. Enquiry还可以指向有关问题、需求或困扰方面的详细调查。

示例：The company conducted an enquiry to determine the cause of the production delay.公司进行了一项调查，以确定生产延误的原因。

3. 在商务信函中（尤其是正式信函），Enquiry被广泛使用以表达请求信息或寻求建议。

示例：I am writing to enquire about the availability of your services during the upcoming holiday season.我写信是想了解您在即将到来的假期季节是否能提供服务。

4. 还可以在客户服务领域中表示对客户问题或投诉的案例处理。

示例：Our team will handle your enquiry and get back to you as soon as possible.我们的团队将处理您的询问，并尽快回复您。

二、 Enquiry作为动词：1. 当enquiry用作动词时，表示正式地询问或调查某事物。

示例：The police have been enquiring into the circumstances surrounding the incident.警方一直在调查与该事件有关的情况。