Unit 11. A: We are thinking of placing an order for Chinese tea from your company.B: Which would you prefer, black tea or green tea?A: Both are very popular in my country. Could I have a look at your samples and taste them?B: Sure. This is Oolong Tea from Fujian and Longjing Tea from Xihu…A: They are very good in color and flavor. No wonder so many people enjoy your tea. Could you give me some indication of your price?B: Here is our price list. All the prices on the list are subject to our final confirmation.2. A: Good morning, sir.B: Good morning. I’ve seen your catalogue and I’m interested in yourFlying Pigeon Bicycle. I think this type of bicycle will have a ready market in Canada. This is a list of my requirements. Could you quote us your lowest price CIF Vancouver?A: We generally quote on an FOB basis. Just a moment, I’ll work it out for you.3. A: Hello!B: Hello! I’ve seen your catalogue and I’m interested in these products. A: You chose well. These products are selling well in your neighboring countries. I believe they will have a ready market at your end.B: Could I have a look at your samples?A: Sure. Here you are.B: Your products are very good. I’m considering placing an order as long as your terms and conditions are acceptable.A: Here is our price list. These products are in great demand at present. So place your order early if at all possible.Unit 21. A: Here is our offer for 1000 cases of jasmine tea.B: Well, your price is too high. It’ll be difficult for us to make any sales. A: You must be aware that the price of jasmine tea has been increasing.B: But Vietnamese suppliers give a lower price than yours.A: Every one in the trade knows that Chinese jasmine tea is far more superior.B: I don’t deny the quality of your jasmine tea. But competition is keen. Many suppliers are in fact cutting theirprices to try to attract more customers and get a larger market share.A: So far, our product can handle the competition well. We’ve had many orders and more are coming. It just shows that our product is competitive and our price is attractive.2. A: Here is our price list. All the prices are subject to our final confirmation.B: By the way, do you allow any commission?A: Well, our prices are quoted on an FOB net basis. As a rule, we don’t allow any commission.B: But you know, we’re a commissioned agent. We do business on a commission basis. Commission transactions will surely help to push the sales of your products.A: Yet your order is really not largeenough.B: What quantity would you consider to be a large order?A: USD 500 000 or above.B: Wow, really substantial. Well, My Chen, this is our first transaction. Can you be more flexible and offer us more favorable terms? It might be possible for us to establish a long-term relationship.A: OK. We would grant you a 3% commission if you place an order of USD 400 000.B: We appreciate your concession very much. However, we can usually get a 5% commission from our European suppliers.A: Mr. Green, our price itself is already favorable. It’s for our long-term business relationship that we make this exception. This is the best we can do.B: All right, we’ll have to accept it.3. A: Mr. Wright, here is our offer for 5000 metric tons of Grade A red beans, USD175 per metric ton, CIFC5% Rotterdam.B: Your price is on the high side, Mr. Zhang. It’s impossible for us to conclude any transactions at this price. A: I don’t know why you think so. Frankly speaking, we wouldn’t quote you such a low price if you were not our regular customer. I bet you cannot get such a favorable price from other suppliers.B: We got an offer from a Thailand supplier yesterday. Their price is 3% lower.A: You must take the quality of the red beans into consideration. Every one in this trade is well aware that Chinese Grade A red beans is of superior quality. So the price of Grade A commodities of course must be higher than those ofinferior quality. Besides, there is a strong demand for Grade A red beans.A lot of orders are pouring in from all over the world. Most of the importers think that our offer is reasonable. I believe you’ll make a profit buying at this price.4. A: Your price is 5% higher than that of the last transaction.B: You know production cost has increased a great deal recently. We also need to consider upward trends when we fix the price.A: But it will be very difficult for us to persuade our clients to buy at such a price. You’ll have to reduce your price by at least 10%.B: Your counter-offer is far beyond my reach. We can’t stand such a big cut. A: We make this counter-offer based on the offers from other suppliers. We made enquiries to several suppliers atthe same time and found that your price is higher than the other suppliers.B: Could we just put this problem aside? Could you give me an idea of the size of your order first?A: It will largely depend on the price you offer. If you could make a 10% reduction, we would place an immediate order of 100 000 pieces.B: All right. Shall we move together? We’ll reduce the price by 7% on the condition that you increase your order to 200 000 pieces. This is our rock bottom price.A: Ok. Let’s call it a deal.Unit 31.A: We’ve received your enquiry, Mr.Smith. But we are sorry to tell you that the goods you asked about are out of stock. You’ll have to wait for two months.B: Two months is far too long. Our customers need the goods urgently.A: There is nothing we can do. Our products have been well received due to their high quality and reasonable prices. So demands often exceed supplies. Though we have tried to speed up production, we still cannot meet the increasing demand. So I’d like to recommend to you the HRF-279.B: Our clients are familiar with GBS-112, but not HRF-279. How do I know that it will sell well in our market?A: Don’t worry. The HRF-279 has been selling well in Europe and in Southeast Asian countries in recent years. I’m sure it will have a ready market at your end.B: I hope so.2.(On the phone)A: We have received your sample and are very satisfied with it. We plan to place a trial order for 5000 sets. The order form will reach you tomorrow. B: We’re glad to accept your order. May I remind you that the sample should be added as part of the first shipment?A: No problem. Whenever we place an order, we always ask for a sale by sample agreement, so we can be sure of the quality of the product.B: Don’t worry. Our products are always as good as the samples we send. A: Great. If they sell well I our market,I can promise you that substantial orders will follow.3.A: Hi! Long time, no see. How isbusiness?B: Not bad. How is everything?A: It’s the off-season now, since spring festival has just passed. I found that your sales of bicycles have been falling off lately, haven’t they?B: That’s because we have switched to automobile accessories.A: Are you still handling bicycles?B: I am, but not on a large scale. Are you thinking of placing an order for some bicycles?A: I’m considering placing an order for 50 000 units if your price is fair.UNIT 41.A: When shall we open the L/C?B: The L/C must reach us one month before shipment. Since the goods are supplied from stock, you’d better open the L/C as soon as possible, otherwise it may delay the shipment.A: shipment, it’ll tie up our money. Would 15 days do?B: I’m afraid not. It’ll take us a lot of time to get the goods ready and book shipping space. You can’t expect us to make delivery within 15 days.A: When are you going to ship the goods?B: The goods will be ready at the end of January. So if the L/C would reach us by January 1, we could deliver the goods in early February.A: Do you have any stipulations on the validity of the L/C?B: We generally require the L/C toremain valid until the fifteenth day after shipment.A: Can we use Citibank as our opening bank?B: No problem at all.2.A: Mr. Smith, I’m Chen Qiang of theGuangdong Silk Import & Export Corporation. I’d like to talk to you regarding your order No.123-456.B: Is there anything wrong?A: Well, shipping space is all booked up. I’m afraid we can’t deliver the goods on time. Could you extend the L/C until the end of this month?B: No problem, but please try your best to solve the problem. The goods are seasonal commodities;we’ll have to meet the Christmas selling season.A: We’ll try our best to ensure delivery in Mid-October.B: Thank you very much.A: That’s all right.3.A:S O far we have already settled the problems of price, quality and quantity. Now what about the terms of payment? B: We only accept payment by irrevocable letter of credit payable against shipping documents.A: Could you be more flexible and accept D/A OR D/P?B: I’m afraid not.A: Frankly speaking, we have overstocked some other goods, and our floating funds are insufficient. It’ll tie up our money to open an L/C.B: I quite understand your position. But the problem is that the world economic situation is going downward and the financial market is fluctuating. We have to do business on an L/C basis so as to guarantee payment.A: Then could you accept 50% payment by L/C and the balance by D/P?B: Sorry, we are not in a position to do that, yet we could offer you more favorable terms of delivery instead. UNIT 51. A: The safety of packing is something we always pay a lot of attention to. Especially for fragile commodities, we’ve got to be extra careful. Otherwise, if something unexpected happened, we’d be responsible and it would cause you a lot of inconvenience, too.B: You’re right. But wouldn’t it be safer to use wooden cases?A: Surely we can if you want us to, but the charge would be much higher.B: Then, let’s keep using cartons.A: Sure, no problem. Cartons are goodenough for goods like this. You don’t have to worry about it.2. A: I’m so glad that we have the chance to do business together.B: Me, too.A: I made this special trip here this time hoping to have a look at the packing of our products because in the last shipment we received, there were a few items damaged by dampness.B: I’m sorry for that. But we have taken care of it and improved the packing.A: Could you be more specific?B: Although we are still using cartons, we have taken measures to prevent them from dampness. We have lined with with plastic sheets on the inside. In addition, we’ve put a “Keep Dry”sign on the outside.A: That sounds good.A: Do you mind if I give you a little suggestion about the inner packing of the products?B: Not at all. Go ahead.A: Packing affects the reputation of the products, and one important function of packing is to stimulate people’s desire to buy. In addition, packing should give the buyer an idea of what is packed inside. Your products are good, but your packing doesn’t look attractive enough to the buyer.B: Thank you very much. That’s a good suggestion and it happens to coincide with our own. We have just improved our packing.A: Great! Would you let me have a look?B: Sure thing. Let’s go to the sample room.UNIT 61.T he shipping facilities at this port have been much improved. There won’t be any trouble.2.T he lengths of our containers range from 10 to 40 feet. They can take loads from 2 to 16 tons respectively.3.I t is essential to choose the right means of transportation.4.T ankers are usually oil carriers, and are like bulk carriers which transport bulk consignments such as grain, wheat and ores.5.A s your order is a large one, we are not in a position to book enough shipping space, so we hope you will agree to partial shipment.6.C an we get our bill of lading now?7.P lease fill out the Export Cargo Packing Instructions and the Export Cargo Packing Declaration here.8.W hen the goods are received on the dock, you will get a dock receipt. Once the goods are on board the ship, you will get a mate’s receipt. And if the goods are taken on board in good condition, bills will be marked “clean”, otherwise, “dirty”or “claused”.9.W e have various shipping facilities that can meet different requirements. What’s the weight and length of your consignment?10.We advise the consignment be sent by express trains to ensure prompt delivery.11.A: Hello, this is Tom Smith from ABC company. I’d like to have a word with Mr. Lin Ming.B: Good morning, Mr. Smith. This is Lin Ming. Speaking, please.A: Well, I’d like to know when can you ship the goods?B: In February, I think.A: That’s too late, is there any possibility for you to advance the shipment to December?B: I’m afraid not, Mr. Smith. You know, there are only two direct steamers sailing for your port, and the shipping is booked up from now to the end of January.A: Oh, that’s too bad. We are in urgent need of the goods, you know. February is the selling season for this commodity. In order to meet the season, we hope you can deliver the goods before the end of December. B: Is there any chance of transshipment being allowed?A: Well, transshipment will prolong the delivery and is likely to cause damage. So, we still hope a direct shipment could be arranged.B: The trouble is that it is impossible to book shipping space. I’m afraid we can do nothing.A: Then, when is the earliest time we can expect shipment?B: The beginning of February, I’m afraid. But I’ll keep trying. We will keep contacting the shipping company. As soon as shipping space is available, we’ll let you know immediately.A: Thank you. Then, I won’t hold you up. Good-bye.B: Good-bye.UNIT 71.The purpose of insurance is toguarantee the safety of goods and to protect the interest of the insured.2.Total loss only (TLO) refers to thetotal loss of the consignment of goods in transit because of natural disaster or accidents.3.With Particular Average (WPA) notonly covers total loss under the terms of TLO, but also covers partial loss.4.According to international tradeconventions, the buyer is responsible for premiums for additional coverage / extraneous risks.5.As a rule, we don’t cover themunless you want to.6.Generally speaking, the buyer buysthe additional coverage forextraneous risks only when hefeels it necessary.7.The insurance is valid for only 60days after the insured goods areunloaded at the final port ofloading / discharge.8.An insurance claim must be madewithin nine months after thegoods are unloaded at the finalport of loading / discharge.9.Since our price is based on CFR,you’ll take care of the insuranceyourself.10.Under the terms of FOB, thebuyer buys the insurance on thegoods; or this can be done by anauthorized seller.11.Is insurance included in this price?/ Does this price include theinsurance?12.Before we decide on the price, wewould like to know what kind ofinsurance you are going to buy. 13.Our insurance coverage is for110% of the invoice value up to the port of destination.14.As you might know, ChinaCommodity Inspection Bureau enjoys an international reputation for impartiality.15.All kinds of insurance can beprovided by the People’s Insurance Company of China. Unit 81.A: The goods were in perfectcondition when they left here.B: According to our survey report, the damage was caused by poor packing.2.A: Please look into the matter andhave the case settled immediately.B: We’ll get in touch with the shipping company and see what can be done.3.A: We have to file a claim againstyou for USD10,000.B: We’ll certainly entertain a claim if it is supported by adequate documents.4.A: The goods you sent us are belowour usual standard.B: Our products are up to the international standard.5.A: The goods we received lastmonth are inferior in quality to those you delivered in the past.B: I’m sorry that the quality of our goods did not turn out to be satisfactory.6.A: We are glad to have settled theclaim in such a friendly way and appreciate your kind assistanceB: I do hope this minor incident will not affect our future business.7.A: The quality of this lot of goodsis so far below the standard that we cannot use them for our purpose.B: This comes as a complete surprise. We have never had a complaint of this kind.8.A: Our analysis was made on theretained samples.B: Well, I’m afraid we’ll have to have the retained samples re-checked before we settle it.9.A: Since we concluded thebusiness on a CIF basis, I have to file a claim with you for the losses.B: I’m sorry that we cannot accept your claim, as the loss is beyond your insurance coverage.10.A: Here’s the inspection reportmade by the Health Officers in London.B: This is a really unfortunate accident. But, all our goods had been certified as good in quality and well-packed.。
