28. Read through the following situations and do the assignment.

a) A company in England have complained that some of the cases in a consignment of fifteen cases of plastic cups for use in coffee machines contain the wrong cups. They are the wrong size. You have discovered that the packing department made a mistake when packing the goods in your warehouse. Write a letter of adjustment, apologizing, explaining what went wrong, advising the English buyers about arrangements for shipping replacements and assuring them that you will try to prevent the same thing happening again.

b) A company based in Manchester has written to complain that two cases, each containing 25 lightshades, were completely destroyed at the port of discharge, because the cases were not strong. They instructed you to use heavy wood cases, and your packing agents did not do this. Reply to the letter.

c) A company based in Liverpool ordered 2500 6-volt motor car batteries, in 100 containers containing 25 batteries each. Only 97 containers arrived in the port of Liverpool, and the company has written to complain. You discover that the missing three containers are still on the docks in Naples because there was no space for them on board the M/V Kerking, which left Naples on the 18* October. Write to the company in Liverpool explaining what happened, apologizing for the despatch of the cases in the near future.

Part III brokerage read and translate dialogues:

I

Broker. Good morning, Mr. Petrov. Any news today?

Manager. So far nothing important, but I may get, later on in the day, an order for a general cargo from London to Petersburg - about 5,000 tons. I'm told that the position required would be 20 - 30 January.

Broker. There are very few steamers of such a size and position in the market and it will, therefore, be very difficult to cover this order. I might arrange a steamer of about 6.000 tons ready to load about 25^th January.

Manager. I don't think it will be possible to arrange such a size, but Г11 have a word with the Shippers. Meantime, please do your best to find a suitable steamer. What's the general news?

Broker. There are some f. o. b. orders quoting in the market at a low rate but bet Owners aren't interested unless tempting rates are offered and my opinion is that owing to the scarcity of tonnage on the market, Shippers will have to pay higher rates.

Manager. Thanks. Mr. Smith. As soon as I get the order, I shall telegraph immediately.

II

Broker. Good evening, Mr. Petrov. My reason for calling you up is to tell you that I have found a boat suitable for your cargo. It is the s.s. "Albert", 5,000 tons ready about 5^th February. The rate is thirty-five and six. I have the steamer firm only until 3 o'clock so you must make a quick decision.

Manager. The steamer is rather late for our cargo, Mr. Smith, but Г11 get the Charterers on the other phone and hear what they will say. What's the actual draft of the steamer fully loaded?

Broker. We reckon she will not more than 27'6" (twenty-seven feet and six inches) in fresh water.

Manager. I've got the Charterers on the other line, Mr. Smith, and they agree to accept your steamer provided the rate of freight is reduced to thirty-three and six.

Broker. That's rather on the low side. Can't you raise this figure to thirty-four and six?

Manager. Sorry, it's the most they can offer.

Broker. O.K. then, steamer's confirmed at thirty-three and six and we'll write out the Charter-Party. Good-buy.

III

Manager. Good morning, Mr. White. Woiilci you be good enough to get the Owners of the s.s. "Maria" on the 'phone and find out when the steamer will complete loading.

Broker. They have just 'phoned, Mr. Petrov. They say that the steamer has only 3,000 tons on board.

Manager. What are the prospects?

Broker. The point is, a holiday interferes but we calculate the steamer will complete loading about 15^th February. With overtime, we might complete loading about the 12^th.

Manager. Could you find out how much overtime we shall have to pay to stevedores and crew to enable steamer to leave the loading port not later than 12^th February?

Broker. If the weather is favourable, we might guarantee to finish loading on the 12^th but the expenses will amount to about $ 120.

Manager. O.K. we authorize you to arrange overtime with the stevedores but bear in mind that the expenses are not to exceed $ 120.

Broker. Г11 do my best and will keep you advised as to how matters go. Good-bye.

IV

Broker. Good afternoon, Mr. Petrov. I've just sent you a fax to the effect that the s.s. "Maria" sailed on 11^th February, and the extra cost is $ 106.

Manager. Thank you very much. Meantime. Charterers have asked for an option to discharge the steamer at two ports. Odessa and Novorossijsk.

Broker. I've got the Owners on the other line and they say they might agree to send the steamer to two ports of discharge provided Charterers guarantee a quick discharge.

Manager. You may be sure that we shall do everything to discharge as quickly as possible.

Broker. In that case Owners agree and the extra charge will be 2s per ton on the entire quantity, as usual.

Manager. Very well, Mr. Smith. I confirm this option. Good-bye.

V

Manager. Good morning, Mr. Brown. Did you get our fax regarding the s.s. "Clyde"?

Broker. Yes, I got your fax this morning and I have already had a talk with the Owners. Unfortunately Owners cannot accept all conditions in your fax. They accept your date of loading, they also agree to cut the size of the steamer to 6.000 tons, 10%, but they insist on thirty-six and six. I fear that your offer at thirty-four and six will be of no interest to Owners.

Manager. In my opinion, the Owners' demand is too high.

The market position today is rather weaker in comparison with yesterday, as a matter of fact, we have today several proposals at the rate of thirty-five and six and there is no doubt that if we make a firm counter-offer we'll be able to get the boat at thirty-four and six.

Broker. I quite agree with you that the market position is today a little bit weaker, but the Owners say that they have today another offer from the River Plate at such a rate that makes them reluctant to accept your offer. Anyhow will you be so kind as to extend your offer until 5 p.m. today, and will you give us a discretion up to six pence. We'll then try to push the business through.

Manager. I am very sorry, we cannot improve our terms. The best we can do is to renew our authority until 5 p.m. but at the rate not over thirty-four and six. If you do not confirm the boat by 5 p.m., in all likelihood the business will be taken off by your competitors.

Broker. All right. I shall do my best to induce the Owners to accept your offer. Good-bye.

Manager. Good-bye.