Dialogue 2
A: Mr. Brown, I’m anxious to know about your offer.
B: Well, we’ve been holding it for you, Mrs. Perless. Here it is. Five hundred cases of black tea, at 20 pounds per kilogram, C.I.F. Liverpool. Shipment will be in July.
A: That’s a high price! It will be difficult for us to make any sales.
B: I’m rather surprised to hear you say that, Mrs. Perless. You know the price of black tea has gone up since last year. Ours compares favorably with what you might get elsewhere.
A: I’m afraid I can’t agree with you there. India has just come into the market with a lower price.
B: Ah, but everybody in the tea trade knows that US’s black tea is of top quality. Considering the quality, I should say the price is reasonable.
A: No doubt yours is of high quality, but still, there is keen compe- tition in the tea market. I understand some countries are actually lowering their prices.
-- 布朗先生，我很想知道你们的报盘情况。
-- 佩利丝女士，我们还一直为你保留着这一报盘。这个就是：500箱 红茶，成本加运费保险费到利物浦价，每公斤20英镑，七月装船。
-- 价格太高了！我们很难销售。
-- 佩利丝女士，你这么说我很吃惊。你知道从去年以来红茶价格已经上涨。我们的价格比起你从别处可以买到的价格是较为优惠的。
-- 这点我恐怕不能同意。印度正刚好打入市场，价格比较低。
-- 不过，茶叶商人都知道美国红茶质量好。结合质量考虑，我认为这个价格很合理。
-- 毫无疑问，你们的红茶质量上等，但是茶叶市场竞争激烈。我知道有的国家实际上正在削价抛售。
B: So far our commodities have stood the competition well. The very fact that other clients keep on buying speaks for itself. Few other teas can compare with ours either for flavor or color.
A: But I believe we’ll have a hard time convincing our clients at your price.
B: To be frank with you, if it weren’t for our good relations, we wouldn’t consider making you a f.mp3 offer at this price.
A: All right. In order to get the business, I accept.
B: I’m glad that we’ve settled the price.
A: Now about the quantity. You said you could offer me only 500 cases, which I think is not enough. Last year we sold 700 cases, and I’m sure I can do better this year. I hope you can offer me at least 800 cases.
-- 目前为止，我们的商品都是经得起竞争的。其他客户不断地向我们 购买就证明了这一点。在香味或色泽方面，其他品牌的红茶很难与 我们的红茶媲美。
-- 不过我认为很难说服我们的客户们接受你方的价格。
-- 坦率地说，如果不是为了我们之间的友好关系，我们本来不会考虑 以这个价格报实盘的。
-- 好吧，为了达成交易，我接受了。
-- 很高兴我们就价格问题达成了协议。
-- 现在谈谈数量问题。你说只能供应500箱，这不够，去年我们销售 了700箱，今年肯定能销售更多，我希望你至少能报800箱。
B: Because of the rapid growth of both our domestic and foreign markets, our production hasn’t been able to go forward at an equal pace with the demand. 500 cases are the best I can offer you at present.
A: I see. But if I don’t take care of the supply of my market, my customers will naturally turn somewhere else for their needs.
B: Sorry, I don’t think we can offer you more than 500 cases this year. As a matter of fact, we have made a special effort to get
even these 500 cases for you.
A: All right. We’ll take the 500 cases this time. But I do hope you can supply more next time.
B: We’ll see if we can do better next year.
-- 由于国内外市场迅速发展，我们的生产已赶不上需求。目前我最多能报500箱。
-- 我知道。不过如果我不能充分供应市场的话，我的顾客势必会从别 处购货。
-- 很抱歉，我想今年供应不可能超过500箱了。事实上，供应这500 箱我们还做了特别的努力。
-- 好吧，这次我们就接受500箱，但希望下次你方能多供应些。
-- 那得看明年我们能否多供应一些。
