Dialogue 3
A: I have here our price sheet on a F.O.B. basis. The prices are given without engagement.
B: Good, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll go over the sheet right now.
A: Take your time.
B: I can tell you at a glance that your prices are much too high.
A: I’m surprised to hear you say so. You know that the cost of pro- duction has been skyrocketing in recent years.
B: We only ask that your prices be comparable to others. That’s reasonable, isn’t it?
A: Well, to get the business done, we can consider making some concessions in our price. But first, you’ll have to give me an idea of the quantity you wish to order from us, so that we may adjust our prices accordingly.
-- 这是我们船上交货价的价目单。所报价格没有约束力。
-- 很好。如果可以，我马上把价目单看一遍。
-- 请便。
-- 我一看这份价目单就知道你们的价格太高了。
-- 你这么说我很吃惊。你知道近年来生产成本迅速上涨。
-- 我们只要求你方的价格能和别人差不多就行了。这个要求很合理，对不对？
-- 好吧，为了成交，我们可以考虑作些让步，不过要请你先说明大概要订购多少，以便我们对价格作相应的调整。
B: The size of our order depends greatly on the prices. Let’s settle that matter first.
A: Well, as I’ve said, if your order is large enough, we’re ready to reduce our prices by 2 percent.
B: When I say your prices are much too high, I don’t mean they are higher merely by 2 or 3 percent.
A: How much do you mean then? Can you give me a rough idea?
B: To have this business concluded, I should say a reduction of least 10 percent would help.
A: Impossible. How can you expect us to make a reduction to that extent?
B: I think you are as well - inf.mp3ed as I am about the market for chemical fertilizers. It’s unnecessary for me to point out that sup- ply exceeds demand at present and that this situation is apt to continue for a long time yet. May I suggest that you call your home office and see what they have to say?
A: Very well, I will.
-- 我们要订的数量很大程度上取决于价格，就让我们先解决价格问 题吧。
-- 好吧，如果你们的订货数量很大，我们准备减价百分之二。
-- 我说你们的价格太高，并不是说仅仅高出百分之二或三。
-- 那么你说是多少呢？能不能说一个大概的数字？
-- 为了促成交易，我认为大约给百分之十的折扣才行。
-- 不可能，你怎么能要求我们给那么大的折扣呢？
-- 有关化肥的行情，我想你和我一样都很了解。用不着我来指出， 目前的情况是供过于求，而且这种情况还要延续很长一段时间。 我建议你打个电话给你们公司，看看他们有什么意见？
-- 好吧，我打个电话问问。
Notes
1. be apt to 有……倾向的
2. The offer is valid for… 报价有效期是…
3. to make sales of / to push sales of 推销
4.markets for bristles have gone up 猪鬃行情上涨
5. I can’t agree with you there. 在这一点上我不同意你的意见。
6. from other sources 从其他来源（供应者）
7. long-standing relationship 长期的合作关系
8. We’ll have a lot of difficulties in persuading our clients?
我们将难以说服我们的客户……
9. to our regret 使我们遗憾的是
10. on the basis of equality, mutual benefit and exchange of needed goods
在平等互利和互通有无的基础上
11. taking everything into consideration 在全面考虑之后
12. shipping space 舱位
13. without engagement 不受约束的
14. to get the business done 为了做成买卖
15. supply exceeds demand 供过于求
A Specimen Letter
Dear Sir,
You letter of 15th August addressed to our Head Office has been passed on to us for attention and reply.
We now take pleasure in advising you that the price of Brown Crystal Sugar is at USA per metric ton F.O.B. Of course we also quote C.F.R. or C.I.F. prices if buyers so desire. The price t.mp3s to be employed depend much on the characteristics of the goods as well as their specific transport requirement and shall always serve the best interest of buyers and sellers alike.
We are looking forward to your order.
Yours truly,
释文
先生：
您八月十五日致我总公司的信函已转交到我处作复。
我们高兴地通知您红砂糖的船上到岸价为每公吨#美元。当然，如果买方愿要C.F.R.或C.I.F.价，我们也可照办。采用哪种价格，取决于产品的特点以及所需的运输条件，同时要使其符合买卖双方彼此的利益。
