Cost of the equipment

Supplier: All right, gentlemen. Shall we start then? You've studied our Draft,

haven't you? Customer: Yes, we've carefully studied it and in principle we find the terms

and conditions quite acceptable. S. Good. If you agree to our proposal it won't take us long to finalize the

matter. С We hope not, but first we'd like to have some clarifications. S. Certainly. What's the first point you'd like to bring up?

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С. The major point is the equipment cost. The prices you quoted are too high, I'm afraid.

S. No, they are not, I assure you. While calculating the prices we followed the decision we reached during the discussion of the DPR. You, no doubt, remember that at first we proposed less sophisticated technology, which would answer the immediate needs of your country.¹ But you preferred the latest technology. We took into account your wish and made neces­sary alterations. That explains the price.

C. Yes, this is true. And it is also true that we have a longer term in mind. We did tell you that in ... years we would make full use of your sophisti­cated technology. But at the same time we didn't expect the cost to be so high. Do you think you could give us some more clarifications?

S. You see, the total cost may seem a bit high,² but it is fully justified. The alterations we've made cover the resources, power cost, the amount and quality of the product. And in future when the country's needs for the product rise, it will have a beneficial effect on the home market and will open up export opportunities.

С Yes, what you say is quite convincing. But, probably, this is no reason for raising the cost so much.

S. It's not much, Mr С There's something else I'd like to point out. There's a current annual rise in world prices for this particular type of equip­ment and materials. And we can hardly ignore it.

C. Well, I think we'll have to look into the matter again. Our Consultant Company has presented to us some competitors' materials. They are the latest.

S. Did you compare the technological characteristics?

C. We did. We'll bring them next time. But now I think we need a couple of days to think over what you've just said. Probably there won't be any need to revise the price.

S. Very good. We are ready to resume the discussion at your convenience.

С

Arranging for deliveries

Supplier: Are there any outstanding problems you'd like to discuss today,

MrC? Customer: Yes, it's the delivery time. We can't possibly accept it as it is. 24

months from the date of signing the Contract seems rather long. Coulg,

you reduce the delivery period to 18 months?

S. It's quite a problem, I'm afraid. This decision comes from our experi­ence. 24 months is a reasonable period for the project like this one.

C. Maybe it is. But we can hardly afford this period. An enterprise of this kind is most important for our economy.

S. Absolutely. But a lot depends on our Manufacturers. We'll get in touch with them and find out what they can do about this. In any case under the Contract we'll begin shipment early next year.

C. Good. I wonder if we could have your schedule of monthly deliveries.

S. I wish we could meet your request, but our manufacturing works plan only quarterly output.

С I'm afraid that doesn't suit us very much. As you understand we'll have to procure some types of equipment from a third country.³ The installa­tion work will be done by Subcontractors.

S. We're aware of all this. Monthly delivery schedules would enable them to coordinate their delivery time with ours. Is that what you mean?

С Exactly. It is very important for matching up the installation schedule.

p. Yes, it is. But there is no reason to worry. Naturally, we'll let you have the delivery dates for all equipment. First deliveries will cover the units which take a long time to be installed.⁴ We shall also take into account the technological process.

p. That's all right then.

P

The discussion was followed up by this letter from the Supplier.

March 20, 20... Dear Sirs,

We have got in touch with the Manufacturers concerned and are pleased to inform you that they have given their consent to reduce the delivery time to 18 months.

We also feel that the following should be brought to your notice.

1. You will understand that late deliveries or disruption of the installa­ tion schedule may bring about postponement of the project commissioning.

We would therefore ask you specifically to meet all the contractual obli­gations and arrange for your Vendors' Engineers to do their work in strict accordance with the general installation schedule.

2. We should like to make it clear that the storage period should not exceed six months before the installation starts. Otherwise the Customer

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83

VOCABULARY LIST

WRITTEN PATTERNS

shall have to carry out⁵ at their own expense represervation of the equip­ment delivered.

3. The Supplier shall have the right to replace some types of equipment during the execution of the Contract. It'is understood that replacement will not affect the quality, capacity or technological characteristics of the equip­ment specified in the Contract.

4. Transportation of heavy and oversized equipment will be included as a separate Contract Clause. The Customer will be informed in advance of the readiness of this equipment for shipment.

All necessary shipping drawings and instructions will be sent to the Cus­tomer three months before the dispatch of the said equipment.

Yours faithfully,

NOTES

1. which would answer the im- которая отвечала бы сегодняш mediate needs of your country ним нуждам вашей страны

2. the total cost may seem a bit общая стоимость может no-high казаться немного высокой

Модальный глагол may в сочетании с Indefinite Infinitive употребл; ется для выражения предположения, допускаемой возможности.

3. we'll have to procure ... from должны будем закупить ... в a third country третьей стране

4. units which take a long time узлы, монтаж которых займет to be installed много времени

5. the Customer shall have to заказчику придется (должен бу-carryout... дет) выполнить...

В официальных документах shall в сочетании с инфинитивом часто встречается в повествовательных предложениях с 3-м лицом ед. и мн. числа и выражает будущее действие с оттенком долженствования. В обычной переписке shall с 3-м лицом в повествовательных предложени­ях не употребляется.

delivery п

party concerned

to depend (on) v

supply v

agree (to, with, about, upon) v

supply n

division of supplies

to be responsible (for)

Protocol of Division of Supplies

finalize v

clarification n

to bring up

quote v

calculate и

sophisticated a

to answer the needs

justified a

alteration n

to make alterations

cover v

rise v

rise n

beneficial a

to have an effect on

raise v

current a

annual a

to look into the matter

present v

competitors' materials

revise v

resume v

outstanding a

afford v

We feel we must bring to your no­tice ...

We should like to bring to your no­tice ...

manufacturers n

manufacturing works

shipment n

schedule n

output n

procure v

installation n

installation schedule

install v

delivery schedule (time, dates)

to enable smb to do smth

coordinate v

to match up

to give consent (to)

disruption n

to bring about

delay n

postponement n

contractual obligations

vendors' engineers

storage n

storage period

exceed v

at one's expense

represervation n

replace v

execution n

execute v

replacement n

affect v

heavy and oversized equipment

clause n

shipping drawings and instructions

dispatch n

Мы считаем необходимым до­вести до Вашего сведения ...

Мы хотели бы довести до Вашего сведения ...

84

85

It's quite a problem.

Absolutely.

There is no reason to worry.

You will understand ...

We would therefore ask you ...

We should like to make it clear ...

We are surprised (at) by your let­ter. Following your recommendations

We wish to remind you of; that... With reference (referring) to your

letter ... As we see from your letter ... in the circumstances We also ask you to consider the

possibility ... We hope you will meet our request.

We regret to inform you ...

SPEECH

Shall we start?

in principle

If you feel positive about...

We'd like to have some clarifica­tions.

The major point is ...

You, no doubt, remember...

Do you think you could explain (tell, show, etc.)...

You see ...

There's something else I'd like to point out.

We can hardly ignore it.

I think we'll have to look into the

matter again, at your convenience

..86...

Вы, конечно, понимаете ... Поэтому мы бы просили Вас ... Мы хотели бы со всей определен­ностью отметить ... Нас удивило Ваше письмо.

Исходя из Ваших рекомендаций

Мы хотели бы напомнить Вам ... Ссылаясь на Ваше письмо ...

Из Вашего письма следует ...

в сложившейся ситуации

Мы также просим Вас рассмот­реть возможность ...

Надеемся, что Вы удовлетворите нашу просьбу.

С сожалением напоминаем Вам ...

PATTERNS

Начнем?

в принципе

Если вы уверены ...

Мы хотели бы получить некото­рые разъяснения.

Основной вопрос ...

Вы, несомненно, помните ...

Не могли бы вы объяснить (ска­зать, показать и т.д.) ...

Видите ли, дело в том, что ...

Еще я хочу сказать, что ...

Вряд ли мы можем это игнори­ровать.

Думаю, нам придется еще раз за­няться этим вопросом.

в удобное для вас время

Это довольно трудно. Конечно! Безусловно! Нет причины для беспокойства.