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1.2. ENQUIRY FROM AN ESTABLISHED CUSTOMER
This letter could have been faxed, especially since the writer has a personal contact in the supplier’s company. (Note the informal greeting)
AO TECHNOSERVICE
Russia, 126523, Moscow, Leningradsky Prospect, 98
Our ref. |
75/G |
Your ref. |
March 25, 200__
Mr G.Bluncett, Commercial Manager
Steel Accessories Ltd.
13 Crescent Grove
London NW3, J24
United Kingdom
Dear Graham,
We have an urgent request for the following items in the quantities stated:
-20 pcs couplings 3½” x 9.2 lbs/ft, L80
-15 pcs couplings 2⅞” x 6.4 lbs/ft, L80
Please advise price and availability by return, bearing in mind that prompt delivery is the most important factor.
Yours sincerely,
A.Gomonov
A.Gomonov
117
LEAD-IN 2
If you need to give more information about yourself or ask the supplier for more information, you will need to write a letter. The contents of this letter will depend on two things: how well you know your supplier; and the type of goods you are enquiring about.
A first enquiry – a letter sent to a supplier with whom you have not previously done business – should include:
−A brief mention of how you obtained your potential supplier’s name. Your sourсe may be an embassy, consulate, or chamber of commerce; you may have seen the goods in question at the exhibition or trade fair; you may be writing as the result of a recommendation from a business associate, or on the basis of an advertisement in the daily, weekly or trade press.
−Some information about your firm.
−Some indication of the demand in the area for the goods which the supplier deals in.
−Details of what you would like your prospective supplier to send you. Normally you will be interested in:
a)A catalogue, a price-list (it would be helpful if you could briefly point out any particular items you are interested in);
b)Discounts, methods of payment (it is possible to mention that you usually
expect certain concessions. It indicates that certain conditions may persuade you to place an order);
c)Delivery times;
d)And, where appropriate, samples (you might want to see what a material
or item looks like before placing an order. Most suppliers are willing to provide samples or patterns so that you can make a selection. If you are interested in a complex piece of machinery you would be invited to visit a showroom, or the supplier would offer to send a representative)
−A closing sentence to round off the enquiry.