11. Amendments to the contract

It is common for Buyer's representatives to visit Seller's premises for technical or commercial discussions, either before or after a Contract has been made. The Seller finds it necessary to improve the model by making a few modifications. The modifications can be very slight or considerable but as rule they are very effective and improve performance.

Therefore in order to finalize the matter the Seller invites the Buyer to visit his premises. And if the Customer approves of the Modifications, the Seller makes an appropriate amendment to the Contract.

If the Buyer has to go abroad, the Seller provides an official invitation in support of the Customer's application for a visa.

As a rule the Buyer's representatives find the modifications reasonable and the Buyer doesn't object to them. After the visit the Buyer sends the Seller a draft amendment for signature.

The following Clauses of the Contract are usually more liable to changes: terns of payment, price, inspection and tests, time of delivery.

The procedure of making amendments to the Contract contains 5 points:

1. Amendments to the Contract are necessary if any modifications were made after signing the Contract.

2. The Seller invites the Buyer or his authorized representatives to his premises to make sure these modifications are necessary, effective and improve performance or design.

3. If the Buyer gives his approval for these modification and finds them reasonable, both parties draw up a draft amendment.

4. This draft should be coordinated and agreed on..

5. Appendices, addenda and amendments to the Contract are only valid and shall make an integral part of the Contract if issued in a written form and signed by authorized representatives of both parties.

12. An enquiry and an offer

A lot of business transactions are opened with an enquiry. A general item of information, a price-list, a catalogue may be asked for. Detailed enquiries may express requests for the prices of specified goods, terms of delivery. They are mostly short and to the point. The size of the future order may be pointed out because large scale grants the buyer a discount. If made by telex, telephone or in a personal interview, enquiries should be confirmed by a letter.

If the seller can meet the Buyer's requirements, he sends an offer. The price, the terms and conditions under which a company is willing to sell goods is called an offer. It usually includes the description, the quantity, quality, and the prices of the goods, as well as the delivery or shipment period, and the delivery and payment terms, marking and packing. An offer may be firm or may be free. A tender is a special kind of offer. It’s sent in response to an invitation to submit such an offer in competition with other companies. When an offer is not an answer to an enquiry it is sometimes called a sales letter or circular. There are means of advertising a product or service.