8.8.2 Referee's reply

Questions

1. What did Mr Pierson do before he wrote the reference?

2. What does he think of MacKenzie Bros, as a firm?

3. How does he explain that they are credit-worthy?

4. What does he mean by 'they paid on due dates'?

5. Which words in the letter correspond to the following: got in touch with; assured; supporters; trading partners; more than; trust?

8.8.3

Letter to a referee

Here is another example of taking up references, this one from Satex, the Italian sweater manufacturer we met in previous units. In the letter at 6.3.4, their customer, F. Lynch & Co., asked to be allowed to settle their accounts by 40-day bill of exchange, documents against acceptance. Lynch & Co. offered references which Satex are taking up.

Satex S.p.A.

Via di Pietra Papa, 00146 Roma

Telefono: Roma 769910

Telefax: (06) 481 5473

Telex: 285136

Mr T. Grover 4 July 20—

Grover Menswear Ltd.

Browns Lane

Rugeley

Staffordshire WS151DR

Dear Mr Grover,

Your name was given to us by Mr L. Crane, the chief buyer of F. Lynch & Co. Ltd., Nesson House, Newell Street, Birmingham B3 3EL, who have asked us to allow them to settle their account by 40-day draft.

They told us that you would be prepared to act as their referee. We would be grateful if you could confirm that this company settles promptly on due dates, and are sound enough to meet credits of up to £3,000 in transactions.

Thank you in advance for the information. Yours sincerely,

D. Causio

Grover Menswear Ltd.

Browns Lane, Rugeley, Staffordshire WS15 1DR

Telephone: 08894 31621 Telex: 246181

Mr D. Causio 9 July 20—

SatexS.p.A.

Via di Pietra Papa

00146 Roma

ITALY

Dear Mr Causio,

We have had confirmation from F. Lynch & Co. Ltd. that they want us to act as referees on their behalf, and can give you the following information.

We have been dealing with the firm for ten years and allow them credit facilities of up to £2,000 which they only use occasionally as they prefer to take advantage of our cash discounts. However, we would have no hesitation in offering them the sort of credit you mentioned, i.e. £3,000, as they are a large reputable organization and very well known in this country.

Of course, we take no responsibility for how you use this information, and would remind you to consider it as confidential.

Yours sincerely,

T. Grover

8.8.4

Referee's reply

Note how Mr Grover says he will take no responsibility for how the information is used, and reminds Satex that the letter is confidential.

Questions

1. What expression is used to mean for them?

2. How does Mr Grover explain he will not be liable for Satex's decision?

3. Why does F. Lynch & Co. not use the full credit facilities?

4. What did Mr Grover do before contacting Satex?

5. What word is used to say the information is private?

8.8.5

Negative replies to enquiries about

credit rating

1 In this letter, the writer refuses to reply because he does not have the company's permission.

Dear Mr Stevens,

I am replying to your letter of 10 August in which you asked about one of our mutual business associates.

I am afraid I cannot give you the information you asked for as it would be a breach of confidence, and you, as one of our customers would appreciate this. If however, you can get the firm to write instructing us to act as their referee, then we may be able to help you.

Yours sincerely,

2 The reply in this case is unfavourable. Notice how the writer does not refer to the company by name.

Dear Mr Scrutton,

I am answering your eno^iiry about the company mentioned in your letter to meofS May.

We have in the past allowed that company credit, but nowhere near the amount you mentioned, and we found they needed at least one reminder before clearing their account.

This information is strictly confidential and we take no responsibility as to how it is used.

Yours sincerely,

3 The writer of this letter is unable to reply because he has little knowledge of the company.

Dear Mr Cox,

In reply to your letter of 10 August, we cannot offer you any information concerning the firm you asked about in your letter.

We have had very little dealing with them and they have never asked for credit of any kind. Therefore any information we gave would be of no relevance.

Yours sincerely,

P. Marlow & Co. Ltd.