Commercial

Correspondence
Name: DO THI KIM CUC
Phone: 0705 280 325
Email: cucdtk87@gmail.com
 Ask Want to know
Inquiry more about …
ENQUIRY

(further) Need more

information details
Request
 Lesson 3

Enquiries
 3.1. Methods of enquiry
J. SINCLARE LTD., An enquiry can be made by
41 Lewis Place What?
Coulsdon, Surey. Telephone
1 October 19—
Fax
Your Ref. Box 3124
Postcard No salutation nor complimentary closing
Please could you send me details of
the refrigerators advertised in
yesterday’s ‘Evening Post’?
To give more information about yourself or
Letter
ask for more information.
 3.2 Writing letters of enquiry
STRUCTURE OF AN ENQUIRY
1. Opening
2. Main content 1. Ask for catalogues, price-lists,
prospectuses
What will the content of 2. Ask for details
enquiry depend on?
3. Ask for samples, patterns, demonstrations
1. How do you know your supplier? 4. Suggesting terms matters or payment
2. Whether your supplier is at home discounts
or abroad 5. Ask for goods on approval on sale or
3. And the type of goods you are return
6. Ask for an estimate or tender
enquiring about

3. Closing
 3.2.1 Opening

We are a co-operative wholesale What should you write in opening?

society based in Zurich

Our company is a subsidiary of

Tell your supplier what
Universal Business Machines and we
sort of firm you are
specialize in …

We are one of the main producers of

industrial chemicals in Germany, and
we are interested in …
 3.2.1 Opening

We are given your name by the What should you write in opening?
Hoteliers’ Association in Paris

You are recommended to us by Mr.

How did you know about
John King of Lasworn & Davies,
the firm you are writing
Merchant Bankers
to?
We were impressed by the selection of
gardening tools that were displayed on
your stand at this year’s Gardening
Exhibition held in Hamburg
 3.2.2 Ask for catalogues, price-lists, prospectuses
What phrase(s)/ sentence(s) is used to
ask for catalogues/ price-lists/
prospectuses ? What to remember?
Could you please send your current Don’t give a lot of
catalogue and price-list for information about yourself
exhibition stands? We are
Can be done by postcard
particularly interested in “furniture
display” stands. Supply: your address,
phone number,
I would appreciate your sending me fax number
an up-to-date price-list for your
Which items you care
building materials.
 Sample letter asking for catalogues, price-lists,
prospectuses, …

A. Request for a B. Request C. Request for

catalogue and for a general
price-list prospectus information

Dear Sir,
Dear Sir, I would like some information Dear Sir,
Please would you send about your Proficiency course ... Could you please send me
me your Spring Please send me a prospectus, details of your tubeless tyres
catalogue and price- details of your fees, and which are being advertised in
list quoting c.i.f. information about garages around the country?
prices, Le Havre? accommodation in London … I would appreciate a prompt
Thank you. Thank you. reply quoting trade prices
Yours faithfully, Yours faithfully, Yours faithfully,

What phrase(s)/ sentence(s) is
used to ask for details?
I Am replying to your advertisement
in the June edition of “Tailor and
Cutter”. I would like to know more
about the “steam pressers” which
you offered at cost price
I am interested in holiday No. J/M/3,
the South Yugoslavian tour.
3.2.3 Ask for details
What to remember?
Be specific and clear
Refer exactly to vocal of
journal or newspaper, the
date, box/ department
number (e.g. Box No. 341;
Dept. 4/12B
 3.2.4 Ask for samples, patterns, demonstrations

What phrase(s)/ sentence(s) is used

to ask for samples/ patterns/ What to remember?
demonstrations?
Be specific
When replying, could you please
enclose a pattern card? For complex pieces, ask for
I would like to discuss the problem :
of maintenance before deciding - Representative
which model to install in my factory. - Showroom visit
I would be grateful if you could
arrange for one of your
representatives to call me within the
next two weeks
 Sample letter asking for details, samples, …
Ref: PG/ AL 12 May 19—
1. Which sentence does the writer use
The Sale Dept. to ask for details?
R.G. Electronics AG
Havmart 601
D-5000 Koln 1
2. Which sentence does the writer use
Dear Sirs,
to ask for samples?
We are a large record store in the center of Poitier and would like to
know more about the tapes and cassettes you advertised in this
month’s edition of ‘Hi Fi News’. 3. Which words in the letter
Could you tell us if the cassettes are leading brand names, or made by correspond to the following:
small independent companies and whether they would be suitable for publication, product’s name, vocal
recording classical music or only dictation and messages. It would also
be helpful if you could send us some samples and if they are of the instructions, examples, large
standards we require we will place a substantial order. We would also
like to know if you are offering any trade discounts. Thank you. edition Brand names
Your faithfully, dictation samples substantial
P. Gerard
 3.2.5 Suggesting terms, methods of
payment, discounts

We usually deal on a 30% trade Why should we suggest terms/

discount basis with an additional methods of payment/ discounts??
quantity discount for order over
 To indicate that certain conditions
1,000 units
may persuade you to place an order
As a rule our supplier allow to settle
by monthly statement and we can
offer the usual references if Which phrase(s)/ sentence(s) is
necessary used in the examples?
Could you let us know if you allow
cash or trade discounts?
 Sample letter suggesting terms,
methods of payment, discounts
Satex S.p.A Your ref:
Via di Pietra Paga Our ref: Inq. C351
00146 Roma 6 February 19—

Dear Sirs,
1. Which sentence(s) suggests
We were impressed by the selection of sweaters that were
displayed on your stand at the ‘Menswear Exhibition’ that was terms/ methods of payment/
held in Hamburg last month.
discounts?
We are a large chain of retailers and I’m looking for a
manufacturer who could supply us with a wide range of
sweaters for the teenage market.
2. What discount are they asking
As we usually plays very large orders we could expect a quantity
discount in addition to 20% discount of net list prices for?
, and our term of payment are normally 30-day bill of exchange,
documents against acceptance. 3. How will payment be made?
If the conditions interests you and you can meet orders of over
500 garments at once time, please send us your current catalog
4. Should any references be
and price list. We hope to hear from you soon.
quoted in reply to this letter?
Your faithfully,
 3.2.6 Asking for goods on approval or on sale or return

Why does seller ask for goods on This helps sellers see how a line
approval? will sell before placing a firm
order with the supplier

1... However, we would only consider placing

an order provided it was on the usual basis of Asking for goods on sale or return
sale or return...

2. Would it be therefore be possible for you

Asking for goods on approval
to supply us with a range on an approval
basis …?
 Sample letter requesting for goods on approval
1. Why does Mr. Hughes want the
goods on approval?
2. Does he expect Mr. Cliff to agree?
How do you know?
3. When does he want the kits?
17th November 19—
Mr. R. Cliff
Homemakers Ltd.,
54-59 Riverside,
Cardiff CF1 1JW
Dear Mr. Cliff,
Thank you for your last delivery. You will be pleased to hear that
the dressing tables are selling well.
A number of my customers have been asking about your bookcase
and coffee table assembly kits which are listed in your Summer
catalogue under KT31, and we would like to test the demand for
them. Would it be possible for me to have, say, half a dozen units
of each kit, on approval, before placing a firm order?
I have enclosed an order, No. B1463, in anticipation of you
agreeing, and as there is no particular hurry for the units, you
could send them along with your next delivery.
Your sincerely,
R. Hughes
 3.2.7 Asking for an estimate or tender
Estimate Tender
Similarity Advert: The Irish Tourist
Both are quotations to complete a job of work
Organization invites
For smaller job For much larger job tenders from building
E.g. re-flooring, repairing E.g. building a complete contractors to erect
seating for 10,000 people
window system, … factory
for the Dublin Festival.
Differences An advertisement is Tenders should be in by 1st
placed in the March 19-- and will be
studied on price and
newspapers.
Circular letter to invite suitability of construction
tender plans .

We are writing to a number of building contractors to invite

estimates for the conversion of Northborough airfield into a sports
and leisure centre. The work will include erecting buildings
providing facilities e.g. ski slopes parachute jumps, etc., and should
be completed by next December. If you can provide a competitive
estimate please contact us at
 Sample letter requesting for an estimate/ tender
The manager Date: 10th January 19—
Wembley Shopfitters Ltd. Because time and materials required for
Wycombe Road 1. Why is an estimate needed? Why is it not
Wembley
each job vary depending on different
Middlesex HA9 6DA possible to give
customers' a firm quotation?
needs.
Dear Sir,
2. Beforehas
What giving
to beandone
estimate,
beforeyou
the have to
estimate
We are opening a new branch of ‘Supperbuys’ in Wembley High Street calculate the time, cost of staff, cost of
in March and would like to know if you could send someone along to can be given?
material and research competitors
give us an estimate for refitting.

From our designer’s plan enclosed, you can see that the premises were 3. Can Wembley Shopfitters take as long as
once used as a warehouse and would need extensive alterations which
would include putting in counters, shelves, windows, rewiring, and they want to complete the job?
reflooring.

The work would have to be completed before the end of February and 4. How should Mr. Bellon be contacted?
you would be required to sign a contract to that effect. If the job
interests you, please contact Mr. Keith Bellon out Managing Director on
081 327 1651. 5. Has anything been included with the
Your faithfully, letter?
Jean Landman
Secretary to K. Bellon
 3.2.8 Closing
MATCHING What should be included?

A. Finally, we would like to point out that 1. A simple “thank you”

delivery before Christmas is essential and hope
that you can offer us that guarantee
2. Appreciation for a prompt reply.
B. We hope to hear from you in the near future.

3. Reminding certain terms or

C. Thank you for your attention.
guarantees.
D. If the product is satisfactory, we will place
further orders with you in the future. 4. Indicating further business
 Practice 1. Rearrange these parts to make a complete
letter
B. I can be contacted C. Dear __________ ,
D. Could you also tell me if
________  jkenson@hotmail.com or by I am planning my son’s
the restaurant is big enough
_________ on 0118 855 123. wedding reception next
for 150 to 170
I am looking _______ to  your reply. June. Having seen your
people? ______, how much
_______ on the internet, I am
will it cost? Yours _____________ writing to ask you for further
Jeremy K. Kenson ______ of the Constantia
A. With ______ to the Cottage Restaurant and its
booking details, I facilities.
would also like to know if the
restaurant is available on
Saturday 18th June from C–F–E-A–D–B E. ______, what
7.00 pm to 1.00 am. entertainment facilities does
the restaurant offer?
Would be possible to hire a
F. To _____ with, I would like to have some more information about band to play music? What is ,
the menu and the restaurant facilities, could you tell me if  you could I was  if the band could play
organize vegetarian dishes?  Although only few of the guests are until quite late at night for the
vegetarian, my son and his fiancée would prefer a menu with no guests to dance.
meat. 
 Practice 2. Complete the letter in practice 1 with suitable
words
 Dear __________ ,
Sir or Madam
at
 I am planning my son’s wedding reception next June. Having seen your______________
advertisement on
the internet, I am writing to ask you for further __________
details/ of the Constantia Cottage begin
Restaurant and its facilities. information
To _____
begin with, I would like to have some more information about the menu and the details/
restaurant facilities. Could you tell me if  you could organize vegetarian dishes?  Although information
only few of the guests are vegetarian, my son and his fiancée would prefer a menu with no
advertisement
meat. 
________
Secondly what entertainment facilities does the restaurant offer? Would be possible to hire a Sir or Madam
band to play music? What is , I was  if the band could play until quite late at night for the
guests to dance. forward
With________
regards to the booking details, I would also like to know if the restaurant
is available on Saturday 18th June from 7.00 pm to 1.00 am. telephone
Could you also tell me if the restaurant is big enough for 150 to 170 people?_______,
Finally how
much will it cost? Secondly
 I can be contacted ____  jkenson@hotmail.com or
at by ________
telephoneon 0118 855 123.
regards
I am looking _______
forward to  your reply.
 Yours  Finally
Jeremy K. Kennson
 Practice 3
World Conference March 15-16 - Look at advert for an event.
Global event for your business - Write the first paragraph of
with professionals from over the body letter to Ariadna

100 countries worldwide. Natera about a stand for

your company at the
Book now for an exhibitor’s
exhibition
stand.
 Consolidations

Let’s play a kahoot game

Kahoot!
 Homewor
3 k
- Continue complete the letter in practice

- Prepare the new lesson

Thank you!
Do you have any question???