Payment (offer of a compromise)

Dear Mr F

I was sorry to learn about the embargo your government has placed on exports to Zurimba and of the problems this has created. However, the above bill already allows credit for 40 days, and although I appreciate your offer of an additional 6% interest on the outstanding 35.498.00 SF, it is impossible for me to allow a further 60 days' credit as I myself have commitments.

I think the following solution might help us both.

You need not add interest on the present amount, but I have enclosed a new draft (B/E 7731) for 17.749.00SF which is half the outstanding balance, and will allow you 40 days to pay it. But I expect you to pay the remaining 17,749.00SF by banker's draft.

Please confirm your acceptance by signing the enclosed bill and sending it to me with your draft by return post.

I hope that your negotiations with the Brazilian importers have a positive outcome and trust that this setback will soon be resolved.

Assignments

I. Suggest the Ukrainian equivalents of the words and phrases below:

I have commitments; draft; banker’s draft; to confirm acceptance; outstanding balance; positive outcome; this setback will be resolved.

II. Find English equivalents to the following words and phrases:

несплачений баланс (сальдо, залишок); ця перешкода буде усунута; позитивний результат; у мене є зобов’язання; підтвердити акцептування; перевідний вексель (тратта); банківська тратта; зворотною поштою.

III. Answer the questions:

1. Is the supplier sympathetic to the customer’s problem?

2. Why does he say he cannot wait a further sixty days for payment?

3. Does he want the six per cent interest added on?

4. What compromise does he suggest?

5. How will he know that the customer has accepted his offer?

IV. Translate into English:

1. Я додаю новий перевідний вексель, сума на якому складає половину несплаченого балансу і дозволяю вам сплатити його впродовж 40 днів.

2. Підтвердіть акцептування, підписавши перевідний вексель, що додається і надішліть його мені зворотною поштою.

Payment (reply to second request)

Dear Mr C.

First let me apologize for not having cleared our June statement or replying to your letter of 10 August. However, I am surprised that you did not receive our circular letter informing all our suppliers that we were moving from Milan to Turin. I have checked our post book, and find that a letter was sent to you on June 30.

As you will see from the copy enclosed, we warned suppliers that there might be some delay in clearing accounts and replying to correspondence as the move would involve employing new staff who needed time to get used tо our accounts and filing systems.

You will be pleased to hear that we have now settled into our new offices and will have a fully trained staff by the end of next month. Meanwhile, I am enclosing a cheque for €20,000 on account, and will send a full settlement of your June statement within the next few days.

Could you please note our new address for future reference?