Enquiries
An
enquiry or inquiry is a request for information. When starting up in
business, it is necessary to find out the names and addresses of
potential business partners. One way of obtaining this information is
to send an enquiry to one or more of the following organization: The
Chamber of Commerce, a bank, another company (providing its own
interest). If you are looking for partners or suppliers abroad, you
can write to the consulate of the foreign country in question or even
to the embassy.
Once you have obtained the name and address of supplier, you can send him a general enquiry asking for information about the goods, catalogue and price-list. If you need more details you can send a specific enquiry in which you may ask for the following: terms of delivery, delivery time, terms of payment, discounts, types of packing. When asking the supplier to send you a quotation (or to make you an offer), give him as far as possible a detailed description of the goods required by you.
Most letters of enquiry are short and simple but you have to keep in mind that the first enquiry sent to supplier with whom you have not previously done business should include:
1) A brief mention of how you obtained your potential supplier’s name.
Your source may be an embassy, consulate, or chamber of commerce;
you may have seen the goods in question at an exhibition or trade fair;
you may be writing as the result of a recommendation from a business
association, or on the basis of an advertisement in the daily, weekly or
trade press.
2) Some indication of the demand in your area for the goods which the
supplier deals in
3) Details of what you would like your prospective supplier to send you
(a catalogue, a price list, discounts, methods of payment, delivery
times and samples)
4) A closing sentence to round off the enquiry
Here are some phrases from enquiry letters. What kind of enquiry is
concerned in each case?
We address to the Chamber of Commerce in London…
… are looking for suppliers of fine wines in France.
… request information about quantity discounts.
… are very satisfied with your execution of our first order. Now we would like to know whether you could grant us 30 day's credit…
… addresses of exporters of Russian dolls.
… would like to know what kind of goods you have to offer.
From your catalogue we see that …
The foreign trade department of our bank told us that you…
Match the words with their definitions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consider the letter of enquiry from a French importer of fashion goods
to a British exporter. Answer the questions below.
FOURNIER ET CIE Importers of Fashion Goods Avenue Ravigny 14 PARIS Paris XV
J
The Western Shoe Co. Ltd., Yeovil, Somerset S19 3AF ENGLAND
Dear Sirs We have heard from the British Embassy in Paris that you are producing for export hand-made shoes and gloves in natural materials. There is a steady demand in France for high-quality goods of this type. Sales are not high, but a good price can be obtained for fashionable designs. Will you please send us your catalogue and full details of your prices and terms of payment, together with samples of leathers used in your articles and, if possible, speciments of some of the articles themselves. We are looking forward to hearing from you.
Your faithfully FOURNIER ET CIE SA
J.DuPont
J.du Pont Managing Director |
dP/AG
12 October 2012
1. How did Fournier ET CIE hear about Western Shoe Co., Ltd?
2. What goods are Fournier ET CIE interested in?
3. What information does the firm ask for?
4. Which words in the letter have a similar meaning to the following
stable;
specimen;
stylish;
commodity.
Put the sentences in the body of the letter in the correct order.
A.B. White & Co. Ltd. 567 Queen Street Import and Export London, EC4 8YH
Directors: A.B. White, T.D. Pearson Telephone: 494 61 30
JR/ph 31 January 2012 The Excelso Company Ltd. High Wycombe, Bucks. B84 1WE
Dear Sirs
The articles in question must be hard-wearing and up-to-date design, and delivery by February of next year is essential. Will you please let us know, therefore, whether you will be able to complete an order for the quantities required within the time at your disposal.
We have just received an enquiry from multinational organization owning several luxury hotels in east Africa. They are opening a new hotel next spring, and have asked us to submit quotations for furniture and fittings in accordance with the attached list.
We will also be glad to have an estimate for the number of containers required and the approximate cost of packing.
Please let us have your quotation as soon as possible.
Yours faithfully A.B. WHITE AND CO. LTD
Jennifer Ring
Jennifer Ring (Miss) Overseas Dept. |