We are suppliers to MacKenzie Bros. Ltd., 1-5 Whale Drive, Dawson, Ontario, who have asked us to give them facilities to settle their statements on a quarterly basis.
They told us that you would be prepared to act as their referees, and while we have little doubt about their ability to clear their accounts, we would just like confirmation that their credit rating warrants quarterly settlements of up to £6,000.
We would be extremely grateful for an early reply, and can assure you that it will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Yours sincerely,
J. Merton
Sales Manager
Pierson & Co.
Louis Drive, Dawson, Ontario, Canada.
Tel: (614)295 1682 Cable: PIERCO Telex: 383172
Mr J. Merton Date: 28 February 20—
Glaston Potteries Ltd,
Clayfield
Burnley BB10 IRQ
UNITED KINGDOM
Dear Mr Merton,
I am replying to your enquiry of the 16 February in which you asked about MacKenzie Bros, of Dawson, Ontario.
I contacted them yesterday and they confirmed that they wanted us to act as their referees, and I am pleased to be able to do so.
The firm has an excellent reputation in North America for both service and the way they conduct their business with their associates in the trade.
We have given them credit facilities for years and always found that they paid on due dates without any problems. I might also add that our credit is in excess of the one mentioned in your letter.
I am sure that ycu can have every confidence in this firm and offer them the facilities asked for.
Yours sincerely,
M. Pierson
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,