Part IV. Letter of offer

Offers are sent in reply to an enquiry or without a preceding enquiry. They state the nature and description of the goods offered, the quantity, the price, the terms of payment, and the time and place of delivery. The sales-conscious businessman wants to draw the attention of customers and new customers to a special product or range of goods. He will take the opportunity to stimulate his correspondent’s interest in his goods or services by including sales messages and the assurance that the customer will receive personal attention.

Offers may be firm (binding) or without engagement. A firm offer is subject to certain conditions, a deadline for the receipt of orders, or a special price for certain quantities. If the Buyer accepts the offer in full within the stipulated time, the goods are considered to have been sold to him at the price and on the terms stated in the offer. According to the British and American law, a person/company making a firm offer has the right to revoke it at any time before it has been accepted. According to the Russian law, a person/company making an offer is bound by it until the expiration of the time stated in the offer.

EXERCISE 1. Fill in the gaps.

A letter of offer, goods, terms of payment, delivery, range of goods, to stimulate somebody‘s interest, sales messages, firm (binding) offer, offer without engagement, deadline, receipt of orders, certain quantities, stipulated time, to revoke, to be bound by something, expiration of the time.

1. What would a person do if he or she accepts a job offer in another city, relocates, and then the company _______ the job offer?

2. _______ is a technical term used in contract law.

3. The time at which a time-controlled function is to be started is known as the_______.

4._______ is the process of transporting goods through a transportation network.

5. A _______ is a letter written to a potential partner with whom the company would like to cooperate.

6. A definite offer to buy or sell something at a particular price is called______.

7. An order following a firm offer results in a contract, while an order placed on the basis of _______does not have this effect.

8. Before placing an order, we would like to be informed about the _______.

9. If the Buyer accepts the offer in full within ______, the goods are considered to have been sold to him at the price and on the terms stated in the offer.

10. In order to _______ to the produced goods, the company made an agreement with a TV channel according to which an advertisement is shown on a daily basis.

11. In some cases, a purchaser may request a letter of confirmation of_______ because they have an obligation to prove compliance with terms of contracts or agreements with their own clients or other parties.

12. Knowing what business structure you are operating in will give you the starting point to figuring out the ______ for your taxes and the supporting tax forms submissions.

13. Our company is engaged in selling a wide ______.

14. Things that have been produced in order to be sold at the market are called ______.

15. We often receive ______ through e-mail.

EXERCISE 2. Match each phrase with its English equivalent.

1. In reply to your enquiry for … • Спасибо за ваше письмо от …,

в котором Вы выражаете интерес

к нашему продукту.

2. We have pleasure in offering • Полагаем, что мы ответили

you … на все ваши вопросы. Если

нет, то свяжитесь с нами.

3. We think we have covered all • В ответ на Ваш запрос

points of your enquiry. If not прилагаем все подробности

please do not hesitate to contact us. относительно наших

экспортных моделей.

4. Our services are at your disposal. • Мы благодарим Вас за Ваш

запрос на … и хотели бы

сообщить Вам, что мы

можем сделать Вам предложение.

5. We are sure that these goods • С удовольствием предлагаем

will meet your requirements Вам ...

and we look forward to your

first order.

6. Thank you for your letter of … • В ответ на Ваш запрос …

in which you express your

interest in our product.

7. We have pleasure in sending • Мы уверены, что товар

the following quotation. будет отвечать Вашим

требованиям, и с нетерпением

ждем Вашего первого заказа.

8. We thank you for your enquiry • Мы с удовольствием

for … and would like to inform направляем Вам следующую

you that we can make you an котировку.

offer.

9. In reply to your enquiry we are • Всегда к вашим услугам

enclosing all particulars

concerning our export models.

EXERCISE 3. Translate the letter of order using the following word combinations.

пользоваться возможностью – to take an opportunity

представлять – to introduce

производиться по высоким

стандартам – to be produced up to high standards

отрасль промышленности – branch of industry

сельское хозяйство – agriculture

высокое качество – high quality

поставлять – to supply

внешний вид (продукции) – appearance

рабочие характеристики (продукции) – operating performance

брошюра – brochure

преимущество – advantages

запчасти (к моторам) – spare parts (to engines)

перечень цен на текущий момент – current price-list

приветствовать запросы – to welcome somebody’s enquiries

должное внимание – due attention

немедленно связаться (с кем-либо) – to contact (somebody) immediately

надежный партнер – reliable partner

плодотворное сотрудничество – profitable cooperation

Генеральный директор – CEO (Chief Executive Officer)