An Offer. Kinds of Offers

An offer (a quotation) is a statement by the Sellers usually in written form expressing their wish to sell the goods. Offers as a rule include the following information:

— the description of the goods offered (their quality, quantity);

— detailed prices, discounts and terms of payment;

— the date or the time and place of delivery.

There are two kinds of offers.

A free offer is made when Seller offers goods to regular customers without waiting for an enquiry and sends quotation to those who may be interested in the goods. These offers were formerly called offers without obligation. There must be an indication in such an offer that it is made subject to the goods being available when the order is received. The opening phrases in free offers may be: “We think you will be interested in our quotation for the goods” or “We have pleasure in enclosing our latest catalogue (or the price-list of our products)”.

A firm offer is a promise to supply goods on the terms stated (i.e. at a stated price and within a stated period of time). This promise may be expressed in a letter in the following words: “We make you a firm offer for delivery by the middle of May at the price quoted” or in some other words like: “The offer is subject to acceptance within fourteen days”, or “The offer is open for acceptance until the fifteenth of January”.

The Sellers making a firm offer have the right to withdraw it at any time before it has been accepted. In practice, however, no seller will risk his reputation by withdrawing his offer before the stated time.

2. Read one of the examples of a business letter. State to what type it belongs to.

3. Answer the questions.

1. When can the Sellers deliver the goods to the Buyers?

2. When can the Sellers supply all other models of dresses?

3. What is charged extra at cost?

4. Write the offer of your own using the given phrases and expressions.

Expressions used in enquiries for catalogues, brochures, etc. and in answers to such enquiries

5. Exercise your grammar. Fill in the missing pronouns: much, many, little, few, a little, a few.

1. Will it take … time to answer this letter? 2. We give the customers … catalogues of our products. 3. We had … time, so we couldn’t prepare the goods for shipping. 4. Your order will receive … attention. 5. I like it here. Let’s stay here … longer. 6. She wrote us … letters from abroad. 7. There was … sugar in the bowl, and we had to put … sugar there. 8. I know French … and I can help you with the translation of this text. 9. Thank you very …! 10. I want to say … words about my travelling. 11. Please don’t ask me … questions. 12. How … money have you got? 13. We usually spend … money on advertising. 14. … in this work was too difficult for me. 15. There were … new orders and we spent … time executing them.

6. Study new business proverbs:

§ Nothing succeeds like success.

§ Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall.

§ Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely.

§ Rome was not built in a day.

§ Seize opportunity by the beard, for it is bald behind.

§ Sell a man a fish, he eats for a day, teach a man how to fish, you ruin a wonderful business opportunity.

§ Teachers open the door. You enter by yourself.