Firms often have agents in other countries who either sell or buy products for them (see Unit 10 Agents and agencies). In this letter the agent is acting on behalf of her principals in Canada.
Sanders & Lowe Ltd.
Import and Export. (London Office), Planter House, Princes Street. London EC1 7DO
Birmingham Office; 28 Bradshaw Street, Birmingham B5 ÏÎ
Manchester Office: 343 Oxford Street. Manchester M27 2LR
Liverpool Office: 54 Bakers Road, Liverpool L3 9HW
Stockport Office; 5 Island Road. Stockport SM3 12K
Directors: L.W. Lowe. D.R Sanders
The Sales Manager
Glaston Potteries Ltd.
Clayfield
Burnley BB10 IRQ
Dear Sir or Madam,
We are writing to you on behalf of our principals in Canada who are interested in importing chinaware from England.
Could you send us your latest catalogue and price-list, quoting your most competitive prices?
Our principals are a large chain store in North America and will probably place substantial orders if the quality and prices of your products are suitable.
We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Yours faithfully,
L.W. Lowe (Mrs)
We were impressed by the selection of sweaters that were displayed on your stand at the 'Menswear Exhibition' that was held in Hamburg last month.
We are a large chain of retailers and are looking for a manufacturer who could supply us with a wide range of sweaters for the teenage market.
As we usually place very large orders, we would expect a quantity discount in addition to a 20% trade discount off net list prices, and our terms of payment are normally 30-day bill of exchange, documents against acceptance.
If these conditions interest you, and you can meet orders of over 500 garments at one time, please send us your current catalogue and price-list. We hope to hear from you soon.
Yours faithfully,
L. Crane
Chief Buyer
3.3.4
Enquiry from a retailer to a foreign manufacturer
This letter is from a Birmingham chain of retail shops to an Italian manufacturer. Here the retailer explains how he got to know about the manufacturer, and suggests that a quantity discount and acceptance of his method of payment would persuade him to place an order. He is stating his terms in his enquiry because he feels that as a bulk buyer he can stipulate conditions. But you will see from the reply (4.3.5) that although the Italian manufacturer wants the order, he does not like the terms, and suggests conditions that are more suitable to him.
Questions
1 How did Lynch & Co. get to know about Satex?
2 What market are Lynch & Co. interested in?
3 How many sweaters are they likely to order?
4 What discounts are they asking for?
5 How will payment be made?
6 What expression does Mr Crane use to show Lynch is a large firm?
7 Should any references be quoted in reply to this letter?
8 Which words in the letter correspond to the following: shown; group of shops; selection; less; present?