Unit 9. An overdue order

SITUATION

Rosalbe Luigi calls Mr Lin at Taiwan Technology

to chase up her circuit board order and complain about the delay.

Mr Lin

Good afternoon, Mr Lin speaking. May I help you?

Rosalbe Luigi

Yes, Mr Lin. This is Rosable Luigi from Milan Electronics. I'm calling about our circuit board order. Can you tell me what's happening with it?

Mr Lin

Ah, yes, Mrs Luigi. We're very sorry for the delay. We should be able to dispatch that order very soon.

Rosalbe Luigi

Yes, well, that's why I'm calling. We can't afford to wait much longer. As you know, the delivery date was three weeks ago. What would be your earliest delivery date now?

Mr Lin

Well, I know we're a bit late on this one but we've had trouble with our suppliers. I'm afraid I can't give you an exact date without checking the schedules, but I promise you we'll deliver within four weeks of today.

Rosalbe Luigi

Well, I appreciate your difficulties, Mr Lin, but my company can't wait that long. Unless you can give me a delivery date within the next three weeks, I'm afraid we'll be forced to cancel the order.

Mr Lin

Well, that's going to be very difficult... but I'll certainly do my best.

Rosalbe Luigi

Thank you, Mr Lin. We'd appreciate your urgent attention to this matter.

TAKING THE CALL

MAKING THE CALL

Apologizing

Asking for clarification

We're very sorry for the delay.

Can you tell me what's happening?

This is very unfortunate.

Please accept our apologies for the delay.

What would be your earliest delivery date now?

When could we expect this delivery?

Buying time

What's the position with this order?

We should be able to dispatch that order soon.

We hope to dispatch that order very soon.

Expressing dissatisfaction

As you know, the delivery date was three weeks ago.

The circuit boards we asked your

I promise you we'll deliver within four weeks of today.

It will be ready for dispatch next week.

company to supply should have been here last week.

Explaining the delay

Making a polite threat

We've had trouble with our suppliers.

The reason is that our suppliers let us down.

I appreciate your difficulties, but my company can't wait that long.

We can't afford to wait much longer.

The delay is because of some trouble with our suppliers.

I'm afraid we'll be forced to cancel.

Well, we shall have to consider our

Promising action

position very carefully.

That's going to be very difficult... but

I'll certainly do my best.

I'll do everything I can.

Concluding on a firm note

We'd appreciate your urgent attention to this matter.

I'll see what I can do.

I'll expect to hear from you very soon.