Replies to Orders
Confirmation of Orders
| The order has been received1, and the usual practice2 is to acknowledge3 it at once. With small routine4 orders from regular customers this may be done by means of5 a ready-printed postcard. This tells the buyer that his order has been received and is receiving attention6; in addition, it saves time7 and unnecessary8 correspondence. | 1receive – получать 2practice – обычай, обыкновение 3acknowledge – подтверждать 4routine – шаблонный, текущий 5by means of – посредством 6attention – внимание 7save time – экономить время 8unnecessary – ненужный |
| More satisfactory1 is a letter in which the acknowledgement2 takes the form of a repetition3 of the order. This serves4 as a check on the accuracy5 of the description6 of the goods ordered and turns the order into a firm contract. | 1satisfactory – зд.: удачный 2acknowledgement – подтверждение 3repetition – повторение 4serve – служить 5accuracy – точность 6description – описание |
| The letter of acknowledgement normally starts with referring1 to the previous2 letter of order – order number and date. Further it refers to the actual goods ordered and the terms agreed. It should close with an assurance3 that the order will be carefully4 attended5 to and promptly6 delivered. | 1refer to –ссылаться на 2previous – предыдущий 3assurance – заверение 4carefully – тщательно 5attend – выполнять; уделять внимание 6promptly – своевременно |
1. Study the following clichés:
Opening lines:
1) Thank you very much for your order of … for …
2) Many thanks for your order of … for …
3) We were very glad to receive your order of … for …
4) We were very pleased to receive your order of … for … and would like to welcome you …
5) … as a new customer of <company name>.
6) … as one of our customers.
7) We thank you for your interest in our special offer of … and are pleased to advise you that your order has been despatched …
Assuring the customer of your attention
1. You may rely on us to carry out your instructions in every detail.
2. Your order is receiving immediate attention and you can rely on us to effect delivery at Southampton well within your time limit.
3. We have taken special note of your packing instructions and these will be strictly observed.
4. You may be sure that your wishes will be carried out.
Mentioning terms of delivery, method of payment and price
1. The goods are nearly ready for despatch and we should be glad to have your instructions.
2. We have not yet had precise shipping instructions and are holding your order until these arrive.
3. As you do not give any special instructions for forwarding, we are passing your order to our forwarding agents in the usual way.
4. Please inform us what arrangements you have made for payment. Shipment will be effected immediately we have your reply.
5. As we have not had the pleasure of doing business with you before, we enclose a copy of our invoice, and will be glad if you will arrange payment either by banker's draft or by opening an irrevocable letter of credit in our favour.
6. Our terms are net. You will appreciate that our low prices make it impossible for us to grant any discount.
7. We are grateful to you for the order, but regret we cannot allow a further discount of 5% as requested.
8. We await your confirmation before executing your order, but shall be pleased to give you priority if your reply reaches us within 3 days.
2. Match the words similar in meaning:
| dispatch | a | immediately | |
| acknowledgement | b | carry out | |
| effect | c | discount | |
| promptly | d | grant | |
| arrange | e | confirmation | |
| regret | f | organize | |
| allow | g | be sorry | |
| concession | h | shipment | |
| forwarding | i | carriage |
Study the following letters paying attention to what phrases are used to open and close the letter of acknowledgement as well as to the sentences concerning terms of delivery. Do the tasks alongside.
