Giving an estimate

Companies which are asked to estimate for a particular job of work may include the estimate in tabulated form in a letter (see 4.3.7). More often, however, they will send their official estimate form with a covering letter.

As you know, our representative has visited your factory to discuss the extension which you wish to add to it, and I now have pleasure in enclosing our official estimate.

The enclosed estimate covers labour and parts and carries a six-month guarantee on all work completed.

4.3

Specimen letters

4.3.1

1 Catalogue and price-list:

reply to 3.3.1 A

Dear Mr Raval,

Thank you for your enquiry of 31 January. We are enclosing our Spring catalogue and current price-list quoting c.i.f. prices Le Havre.

We would like to draw your attention to the trade and quantity discounts we are offering in our Special Purchases section pp. 19-26 which may be of particular interest to you.

Please contact us if we can be of any further help to you.

Yours sincerely,

2 College prospectus:

reply to 3.3.1 В

Dear Miss Iwanammi,

Please find enclosed our prospectus covering courses from July to December. Details of fees and accommodation in London for that period are covered in the booklet 'Living in London' which accompanies the prospectus.

At present we still have places available for students taking the Proficiency course beginning in July, but would ask you to book as soon as possible so that we can reserve a place for you in the class and arrange accommodation with an English family.

We are sure you will enjoy your stay here and look forward to seeing you.

Yours sincerely,

3 General information:

reply to 3.3.1С

Dear Mr Wymer,

Thank you very much for your enquiry. You will find enclosed a catalogue giving detailed information about our tubeless tyres and including the impressive results we have achieved in rigorous factory and track tests. Please note the items on safety and fuel economy which have proved the main selling points of this product.

With regard to trade discounts, we are allowing 25% off list prices to bona fide retailers and wholesalers, with quantity discounts for orders over £3,000.

We will be pleased to supply any further information you require.

Yours sincerely,

R. G. Electronics ag

Havmart 601

D-5000 Koln 1

Tel: (221)32 42 98

Fax:(221)836125

Telex: 6153291 Your Ref: PG/AL

P, Geraid 14th May 20—

Disc S.A.

251 me des Raimonieres

F-86000 Poitiers Cedex

Dear Mr Gerard,

Thank you for your enquiry of 12 May in which you asked about the tapes we advertised in this month's edition of 'Hi Fi News'.

The cassettes are ferrous based and high quality Cr Og which as you know means they would be suitable for any type of recording. They are 'Kolby' products which is a brand name you will certainly recognize, and the reason their prices are so competitive is that they are part of a bankrupt stock that was offered to us.

Because of their low price and the small profit margin we are working on, we will not be offering any trade discounts on this consignment. But we sell a wide range of cassettes and have enclosed a price-list giving you details of trade, quantity, and cash discounts on our other products.

We have sent, by separate post, samples of the advertised cassettes and other brands we stock, and would urge you to place an order as soon as possible as there has been a huge response to our advertisement. Thank you for your interest.

Yours sincerely,

R. Gerlach

Sales Director

Encl. price-list

4.3.2

Catalogues and samples

In the letter at 3.3.2 M. Gerard wrote to R. G. Electronics AG to enquire about tapes and cassettes; he implied that his store was a large one, that he was only interested in high quality products, and that he might place a substantial order. This is the reply.

Questions

1 How does Herr Gerlach refer to M. Gerard's enquiry?

2 Why are the cassettes being sold cheaply?

3 Does Herr Gerlach offer any discounts?

4 Can Disc S.A. order whenever they want to?

5 Are these, the only cassettes that R. G. Electronics sell?

6 What other material has been sent to Disc S.A.?

4.3.3

'Selling' the product

This is a reply to the buying agent who wrote at 3.3.3 on behalf of her principals in Canada. As the agent made no reference to any particular line of chinaware she was interested in, nor mentioned terms, this letter is in the nature of a sales letter.

Questions

1 How does Mr Merton draw attention to his firm's many products?

2 How does he imply that his firm has an international reputation?

3 What discount does he offer?

4 How does he encourage further enquiries?

5 Do Glaston offer any concessions?

6 How do Glaston quote their prices?

7 Which words in the letter correspond to the following: putting in; range; select; allowance; when we receive your indent?

GLASTON POTTERIES Ltd.

Clayfield, Burnley BB10 IRQ

Tel: 0315 46125 Telex: 8801773 Fax: 0315 63182

Registered No. 716481 VAT Registered No. 133 5341 08 Your ref: 180/MB

Mrs L. Lowe 10 June 20—

Sanders & Lowe Ltd.

Planter House

Princes Street

London EC 1 7DQ

Dear Mrs Lowe,

It was a pleasure to receive your letter today, and we are enclosing the catalogue and price-list you asked for.

You will see that we can offer a wide selection of dinner and tea services ranging from the rugged 'Greystone' earthenware-breakfast sets, to the delicate 'Ming' bone china dinner service,

You can choose from more than fifty designs which include the elegance of Wedgwood, the delicate pattern of Willow, and the richness of Brownstone glaze.

We would be pleased to add your clients to our list of customers throughout the world and could promise them an excellent product with a first-class service. We would be glad to accept orders for any number of pieces, and can mix sets if required.

You will see that our prices are quoted c.i.f, to Eastern Canadian seaboard ports and we are offering a special 10% discount off all net prices, with delivery within three weeks from receipt of order.

If there is any further information you require, please contact us, and once again thank you for your letter.

Yours sincerely,

J. Merton (Mr)

Sales Manager

Enc.