II. Another Inquiry for German Toys

Dear Sirs,

We are looking for a reliable supplier of mechanical toys in Germany.

Your firm has been recommended to us as one of the leading manufacturers of these articles, and we should be glad if you would send us your catalogue together with quotations for large quantities. Please also state your terms of payment and the earliest delivery dates.

The following firms will be glad to furnish information as to our financial standing and reputation:

…

…

We hope that you will facilitate business by quoting your keenest prices.

Yours faithfully,

III. Inquiry for Air Compressors and Concrete Mixers

HENRY CHAPMAN & COMPANY LIMITED

NORTH CIRCULAR ROAD, LONDON, N.W.2

Telephone: GLAdstone 2266

Telegrams: Chapco, London 5th February, 19…

Your Ref.

Our A/. HE/NJ

Firma Greimel & Sohne

46 Dortmund

Ruhrstrasse 267

W. Germany

Dear Sirs,

We have received an inquiry from International Trading Company Tehran, Iran.

Their main activity is participation in government tenders and they enjoy good relations with most government purchasing organizations.

They would like to receive your offers and descriptive literature regarding the following:

15 two-wheel trailer unit air compressors providing approximately 60 bhp and controlled by pneumatic speed governor

20 tilting drum concrete mixers with a capacity of approximately 3 cu.ft.

Their local reference is the Iran Credit Bank, Tehran. Foreign references may be obtained from Messrs. Holmes Bros., 611 Theobald's Road, London W.C.I, and Corram Engineering Works Ltd., Edinburgh.

We trust that you will be able to quote these clients of ours and protect our interests by crediting us with any business which may be received from them.

Yours faithfully,

HENRY CHAPMAN & COMPANY LIMITED

Harold Ellison,

Sales Manager

II. Offers

Replies to Inquiries—Offers and Sales Letters

Replies to Inquiries

Every inquiry holds the promise of future business and should therefore be answered promptly. In his reply to an inquiry, the supplier gives the desired information, sends the price list, catalogue, etc. that the prospective customer asked for, or submits a detailed offer.

If a delay in answering the inquiry is inevitable, the seller should send a brief acknowledgment to inform the prospect that his inquiry is receiving attention. Sometimes the seller has to ask for additional information before he can answer the inquiry. Should it be necessary to refer the inquiry to an agent or distributor, both the inquirer and the agent or distributor are notified.

If the supplier is unable to quote, he should inform the inquirer immediately, suggesting, if possible, other sources of supply from which the latter is likely to obtain the goods he requires.

Offers

By submitting an offer, the seller declares his willingness to sell certain goods at certain prices and on certain terms. The price at which the seller offers the goods, and the offer containing the price, are called quotations. Quotations are sometimes made in the form of a pro-forma invoice.

Offers may be submitted in answer to an inquiry (solicited offers), or without an inquiry having been made (unsolicited or voluntary offers).

A complete offer should cover the following points:

1. Nature and quality of the goods offered.

2. Quantity.

3. Prices and discounts (if discounts are granted).

4. Delivery period.

5. Terms of delivery.

6. Terms of payment.

If necessary, the offer is supplemented by printed material, illustrations, samples or patterns. An order form may be enclosed for the customer's convenience in ordering. Should the offer fail to produce a response, follow-up letters may be sent.