Unit 4 Offer

ContentsBasic Knowledge ConcernedLetter-writing GuideOther Commonly Used Expressions and Sentences Sample Letters Practical Training Part One Part Two Part Three Part Four Part Five

Part OneAn offer is a promise to supply or buy goods on the terms and conditions stated. In an offer, the offeror not only quotes the price of the goods he wishes to sell or to buy but also indicates all necessary terms of transactions for the offerees consideration and acceptance. A quotation is not an offer in the legal sense. A quotation is merely a notice of the price of certain goods at which the sellers are willing to sell. It is not legally binding as a firm offer if the sellers later decide not to sell. The price is subject to change without previous notice. However, if a quotation is made together with all necessary terms and conditions of sales, it amounts to an offer. So, these two words are sometimes confusing in use.1. Offer and Quotation(1)(2)

Part One(1) An offer is a response made in reply to an inquiry or an expression made voluntarily with a view to expanding business. An offer may be made by a seller or a buyer.(2) A bid refers to the offer made by the buyer. It has the same features as any offers made by the seller.2. Offer and Bid

Part One(1) A firm offer is a promise to sell at a stated price and condition within a stated period of time (a certain time limit). It usually contains such expressions as for acceptance within... days, firm offer, be valid before..., etc. The firm offer creates a power of acceptance permitting the offeree by accepting the offer to transform the offerors promise into a contractual obligation. Thus, once it has been accepted it cannot be withdrawn.(2) A non-firm offer is an offer made without engagement. It is subject to confirmation by the seller after being accepted by the buyer. It usually contains the words subject to our final confirmation, or similar qualifying words. Nowadays, a non-firm offer is usually taken as an inducement to offer rather than an offer. 3. Firm Offer and Non-firm Offer

Part One A satisfactory offer usually includes the following:(1) an expression of thanks for the inquiry, if any(2) the name of commodities, quality, quantity, packing and specifications(3) the details of prices, discounts and terms of payment(4) a statement or clear indication of what the prices cover(5) the date of delivery(6) the period for which the offer is valid 4. The Contents of an Offer

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Part ThreeExpressions (1)1. (make an) offer, submit an offering 2. firm offer 3. subject to... 4. hold an offer open, keep an offer open 5. withdraw an offer ; cancel an offer 6. alter an offer 7. extend an offer 8. comply with ones request 9. as requested ; as stated ; as agreed 10. specifications

Part ThreeExpressions (2)11. offering period 12. under separate cover, by separate mail ;;13. current price ; market price ; buying price ; selling price ; net price ; retail price ; wholesale price 14. net price without commission 15. offer from stock ; have goods in stock 16. make delivery 17. without engagement 18. in view of... ; 19. quotation sheet 20. as per attached list

Part ThreeTypical Sentences (1)1. It is our usual practice to supply new customers with our goods for payment within one month from date of invoice, in the first instance, and later to extend this term to three months.2. We cannot consider these prices firm for an indefinite period because of the situation on the coffee market. 3. This offer is firm subject to your immediate reply, which should reach us not later than the end of this month. There is little likelihood of the goods remaining unsold once this particular offer has lapsed.4. The offer will remain firm until March 31, 2007 beyond which date the terms and prices should be discussed anew. 5. As requested, we are offering you the following, subject to our final confirmation. 6. As our market is now somewhat slow and prices are generally low, you are very fortunate in making purchase at this time.

Part ThreeTypical Sentences (2)7. We are pleased to inform you that there are 50 tons of walnuts now available for export. 8. We are pleased to notify you that the whole of our extensive stock of silks, velvets, ribbons, mantles, shawls, woolen and cotton goods, is now on sale at prime cost.9. Referring to your letter dated July 10 in which you inquired for plastic toys, we have pleasure in cabling you an offer as follows.10. We are glad to have received your letter dated November 14 for our bicycles. In reply to your inquiry, we are pleased in making you the following offer.11. We are making you, subject to your acceptance reaching us not later than September 15, 2007, the following offer. 12. We have here cabled you a firm offer until May 31,2007.13. We recommend that you take prompt advantage of this offer, which is firm for three days until July 31, 2007.

Part ThreeTypical Sentences (3)14. We are making you a firm offer of 30 metric tons Walnut meat at Euro2500 per metric ton CIF European main ports for November shipment.15. In reply to your inquiry of yesterday, March 5, 2007, we have pleasure in offering you these at the very low price of HK$11000 per M/T CIF Stockholm, packed in ordinary gunny bags. 16. We regret to inform you that we do not have in stock the goods in the desired quality.17. Owing to the increased demand for this type of car, our stocks have run very low. 18. As prices are steadily rising we would advise you to place your order without delay.19. Thank you for your inquiry of September 4 informing us that you find our canned meat satisfactory and that you are considering placing a trial order with us. 20. Further to our letter of December 12, we now offer you, without engagement, our various items as follows.

Part Four Sample 1 A Non-firm OfferDear Sirs, We are pleased to receive your inquiry dated May 27, 2007 and as requested1, we are sending you under separate cover, a copy of our catalogue, latest price list, together with our sample books. Details of our conditions of sales and terms of payment are stated therein2.

Our cotton table-cloths are enjoying fast sales in the United States and Europe because they are both excellent in quality and reasonable in price. We are looking forward to your order.

Yours sincerely,

Part FourDear Sirs,

Re: Copper

We acknowledge receipt of your letter of April 15, and confirm having faxed you today in reply, as per confirmation copy enclosed1. You will note from our fax that we are in a position to offer you 50 tons of copper at the attractive price of Stg.2 600 per ton CFR3 Shanghai for delivery within one month after your placing an order with us. Payment is to be effected by an irrevocable L/C in our favour, payable by draft at sight4 in Pounds Sterling in London.

This offer is firm, subject to5 your immediate reply, which should reach us not later than the end of this month. There is little likelihood of the goods remaining unsold once this particular offer has lapsed.

Yours faithfully,A Firm OfferSample 2

Part FourDear Sirs,

In reply to1 your inquiry of May 2, 2007 asking us to make an offer for our printed shirting2, we wish to confirm our cable dispatched on May 15, 2007 offering without engagement3 the following:

Article: No.9001 Printed ShirtingDesign: No.72435-2ASpecification: 30*36Minimum Quantity: 20000 yardsPacking: in bales or in wooden cases, at sellers optionPrice: US$___per yard CIFC 5% VancouverShipment: to be made in three equal monthly installments, beginning from August, 2007Payment: by confirmed, irrevocable L/C payable by draft at sight to be opened 30 days before the time of shipment4We trust the above will be acceptable to you and await with keen interest your trial order.

Yours sincerely,Sample 3 A Letter Confirming Non-firm Offer by Cable

Part FourDear Sir, We are glad to note from your letter of May 1, 2007, that you, as an exporter of Chinese computers, are willing to establish a direct business relationship with us. This happens to coincide with our desire.

At present, we are interested in Changhong Computer, Art. No. CH-0731, and would be pleased to take the initiative in making a bid1. Our bid for this item is US$400 per set CIF Lagos, inclusive of our 5% commission2. Shipment should be in June, 2007.

Should the price be found workable, and delivery date acceptable, we intend to place a large order3 with you. Your early reply would be highly appreciated.

Yours faithfully,Sample 4A Buyers Bid

NotesSample 1Sample 21. as requested ,, as it is requested e.g. as stated () as agreed () as stipulated () as above-mentioned ()2. therein ad. ;;,1. as per confirmation copy enclosed 2. Stg. =Sterling e.g. US$(USD) Can.$(CAD) Stg. (GBP) Euro(ED) A$ (AUD) HK$ (HKD) J (JPY) RMB (RMB) ()3. CFRCost and Freight, 4. by an irrevocable L/C in our favour, payable by draft at sight 5. subject to... ,, e.g. subject to our confirmation subject to the goods being unsold

NotesSample 3Sample 41. in reply to... 2. printed shirting 3. without engagement ,4. by confirmed, irrevocable L/C payable by draft at sight to be opened 30 days before the time of shipment 30 1. take the initiative in making a bid 2. inclusive of including5%3. large order ()

Part Five1. Put the following English into Chinese. (1)Beginning Training(1) subject to...(2) hold an offer open, keep an offer open(3) comply with ones request (4) specifications

Part Five1. Put the following English into Chinese. (2)(5) offer from stock, have goods in stock(6) without engagement(7) in view of... ; (8) quotation sheet (9) firm offer

Part Five1. Put the following English into Chinese. (3)(10) as stated (11) Your inquiry is receiving our immediate attention and we hope to make you an acceptable offer in a few days. (12) We thank you for your inquiry of July 6 and we are sending you, under separate cover, a sample of the product you requested together with our price list. 76

Part Five1. Put the following English into Chinese. (4)1015213(13) With reference to your letter of October 15, inquiring for womens jeans, we enclose our quotation No.213 for your consideration and trust you will find our prices acceptable. (14) Our best offer is given below subject to our final confirmation.(15) We must stress that this offer is good for two days only because of the heavy demand for the limited supplies of these goods in stock.

Part Five1. Put the following English into Chinese. (5)(16) This offer must be withdrawn if not accepted within three days. (17) We have taken due note of your requirements for sugar but regret being unable to supply at this present time. We will certainly e-mail you as soon as there is any stock available.(18) This offer expires on August 20, 2007. Your immediate reply by e-mail would be appreciated.2007820

Part Five1. Put the following English into Chinese. (6)(19) We wish to state that our quotations are subject to alteration without notice and to our confirmation at the time of placing your order. (20) We regret to say that the goods requested by you are unavailable for the time being, and for this reason we refrain from making you an offer.

Part Five2. Read the following letters and choose the best one from the given answers for the missing prepositions.to; at; of; with; in; on; for; from; onto; into; byLetter 1Dear Sirs, We confirm having received your inquiry of August 20 (1) our gold pens CIF London. Complying (2) your request, we are making you a firm offer as follows:Commodity: Seagull Brand Gold PensSpecification: as per attached list Quantity: 1000 dozenPacking: in cartons of 100 dozen eachPrice: (3) 24 per dozen CIFC5 LondonShipment: during October/November, 2007Payment: (4) confirmed, irrevocable L/C

at______by______with______for_______

Part Fiveto; at; of; with; in; on; for; from; onto; into; byLetter 1This offer is firm, subject (5) your reply reaching us before September 1.

Please note that we have offered you our most favorable price and thus we are unable to entertain any counter-offer.

We are hoping that you will accept our offer as soon as possible.

Yours faithfully,to_______

Part Fiveto; at; of; with; in; on; for; from; onto; into; byLetter 2Dear Sirs, Thank you for your letter of September 15, 2007, and the inquiry enclosed for our White Rabbit pajamas.

At your request, we are making you a firm offer (1) 20000 dozen womens pajamas at US$48.5 per dz. CFRC5% Lagos (2) shipment in March, 2008. Payment is to be made by confirmed, irrevocable L/C payable (3) draft (4) sight. This offer is firm subject to your reply reaching us within one week. The relative sample and catalogue have been sent (5) separate mail.

Please note all the prices quoted are bottom prices and no counter-offer will be accepted. If you agree to the above, please make confirmation as soon as possible so as to enable us to make the necessary arrangements.We are looking forward to your early reply.

Yours sincerely,for_______for_______at______by_______by_______

Part FiveIntermediate Training1. Put the following Chinese into English. (1)as per attached list(1) (2) net price without commission (3) ;;under separate cover, by separate mail(4) make/submit a firm offer

Part Five1. Put the following Chinese into English. (2)make delivery(5) (6) as agreed(7) by confirmed, irrevocable L/C payable by draft at sight(8) withdraw/cancel an offer(9) current/market price

Part Five1. Put the following Chinese into English. (3)goods in stock(10) (11) , (12) Thank you for your inquiry. We have a large quantity of mens leather shoes in stock, and are pleased to offer them as follows. This offer is subject to the goods being unsold on receipt of your reply. (13) This offer is open for three days only.

Part Five1. Put the following Chinese into English. (4)This offer is firm, subject to your cable reply reaching here before November 6. (14) ,116(15) ,10If our offer is of interest to you, please cable your acceptance beforethe end of October.(16) ,50The peanuts are packed in ordinary second-hand gunny bags of about 50 kg net each.

Part Five1. Put the following Chinese into English. (5)In your letter you requested us to quote you CIF Kuwait price, including your commission of 3%, which has received our immediateattention.(17) CIF,3%,(18) ,,,We have some stocks of green beans on hand. If they are of interest to you, please inform us of the quantity required so that we may make you the best price.

Part Five1. Put the following Chinese into English. (5)We trust this product will find a ready market at your end.(19) ,()(20) ,20,3500CIF ,8 We confirm having cabled you an offer for 20 M/T of Walnuts at RMB 3500 per M/T CIF European Main Ports for shipment in August.

Part Five2. Supply the missing words in the blanks of the following letter. The first letters are given.Dear Sirs, Thank you for your letter of March 6, 2007, (1)i for our tape recorders and your desire to enter into direct business relations with us.

As requested, we are sending you our (2)q sheet covering the types in which you are interested. Unless otherwise stated, all the products can be supplied within four weeks after (3)r of your order. The prices listed are (4)s to our final (5)c . On an order exceeding 10000 sets, we usually allow a 3% quantity (6)d .

Some latest (7)c and (8)b have also been sent to you under (9)s cover for your reference. Should any of the items be suitable for your market, please let us know. As soon as your specific inquiry is received, we will make you an offer immediately.

Your early reply will be much (10)a .onfirmation ______________nquiring ___________uotation ___________eceipt _________ubject __________iscount ___________atalogue___________eparate __________rochures____________ ppreciated______________

Part FiveAdvanced Training1. Letter Composing (1) On behalf of the addresser, compose a letter according to the given information and message. Remember to arrange the necessary parts in proper form as they should be set out in a business letter.Information:(1) Senders Name: Guangdong Foreign Trade Development Corp. (exporter)(2) Senders Address: 779 East Dongfeng Road, Guangzhou, China(3) Senders Cable Address: 5527 GFTDC(4) Senders Telex: 44388 GFTDC CN(5) Senders Fax Number: 86-20-83328156(6) Date: September 20, 2007(7) Receivers Name: H. J. Wilkinson & Co. Ltd. (importer)(8) Receivers Address: 245 Lombart Street, Lagos, Nigeria

Part Five1. Letter Composing (2)Message:(1) 2007918(2) (3) (4)

Part Five2. Letter Replying Dear Sirs,

We learned with pleasure from your letter of April 12, 2007 that you are an exporter of Chinese blanket covers and that you are willing to establish business relations with us.

At present, we are interested in blanket covers and would be pleased if you would send us by airmail sample books and all necessary information on blanket covers, to acquaint us with the materials and workmanship of your supplies. Meanwhile, please quote us the lowest price CIF London, inclusive of our 3% commission and provide us with the earliest date of shipment.

Should your price be found competitive and delivery time acceptable, we shall place a large order with you.

Yours faithfully,Leon AllenRead the following letter and then compose a letter in reply to it.

Extra PracticeDear Sirs, This is to confirm your telex of 16 January 2004 asking us to make you firm offers for rice and soybeans C&F Singapore. We telexed you this morning offering you 300 metric tons of polished rice at A$2400 per metric ton C&F Singapore for shipment during March/April 2004. This offer is firm subject to the receipt of your reply before 10 February 2004.

Extra PracticePlease note that we have quoted our most favorable price and are unable to entertain any counter offer. With regard to soybeans we advise you that the few lots we have at present are under offer elsewhere. If however, you were to make us a suitable offer there is a possibility of our supplying them. As you know, it has been a heavy demand for these commodities and this has resulted in increased prices. You may however take advantage of the strengthening market if you send an immediate reply. Yours faithfullyTony Smith Chief Seller

Extra Practice1.2.3.4. 5.11

Extra Practice6.7.8.5 9.30010.250

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