11 Inquiries and orders

A Look at the paragraph structure below for two emails: an inquiry (request for information) and the
reply. Then write the correct paragraph reference next to each sentence (a-j).

Inquiry 1 How you got the contact

2 Something about your company, and why you are writing.
3 General request for information.
4 Answer any specific/unusual questions.
5 Close, perhaps including a reference to future business.

Reply 1 Thanks, referring to the date

2 say what you are attaching.
3 Highlight one or two key points.
4 Answer any specific questions.
5 Close, saying you are ready to answer any other questions.

a) We are a distributor of kitchen products in Hungary. We are interested in … ..Inquiry 2..

b) I am attaching our current catalogue and price list as a pdf file. ……………………

c) I look forward to an early reply, and am sure that there is a market for your
products here in Hungary. ……………………

d) Could you also provide details of your delivery times, and whether there is
any minimum order. ……………………

e) Thank you for your email of 4 June inquiring about our products. ……………………

f) You will note that our line of MagicMix food processors is on special offer. ……………………

g) Please send us information about your product range, including a price list. ……………………

h) We met last Thursday on your stand at the Munich Trade Fair. ……………………

i) If you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me. ……………………

j) We dispatch the goods within 24 hours of a firm order, and for first-time
customers our minimum order is €5,000. ……………………

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B Put paragraphs (a-e) in the emails below in the correct order. Section A will help you.

(a) We are a Turkish company exporting to the EU, and need a firm of lawyers in
France to represent us on some legal matters.
(b) In particular, we would like to know your experience in dealing with disputes
between companies involved in import/export.
(c) I am emailing you off your website, which I found through Google.
(d) An early reply would be greatly appreciated.
(e) We would be grateful for some information about the legal services that your firm
offers.

Paragraph order: 1 ……...… 2 ……...… 3 ……...… 4 ……...… 5 ……...…

(a) We feel sure that we will be able to represent your interests in France. May I
suggest that I call you at your convenience to discuss the matter further? Please let
me know when would be a convenient time. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
(b) Thank you for your email for 4 December asking for information about our legal
services.
(c) You will also note that we have represented several Turkish companies, including
one of Turkey´s major textile exporters. Naturally, our experience in this field
includes resolving contractual disputes.
(d) You will see that we give a list of our recent clients, and that the list includes many
well-known company names.
(e) I attaching a document that gives full details of the range of service we offer.

Paragraph order: 6 ……...… 7 ……...… 8 ……...… 9 ……...… 10 ……...…

C Complete sentences 1-12 with the pairs of words from the box. Check the meaning of any
unknown words in a dictionary.

accept/quotation apologise/inconvenience assure/prompt attached/delay

correct/amend discount/repeat dispatched/firm first-time/pre-payment
note/records process/track temporarily/stock would/grateful

1. Please return the attached form asap so that your order can be processed without any
delay .

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 2. We ……………….. be ……….……….. if you could supply bank references.

3. Our normal terms for …………………………. customers are 50% ………………..…….. .

4. I have spoken to my line manager, and we are pleased to offer a small ………………….. on this
occasion in the hope that it will lead to …………..…………… orders.

5. The goods will be ………………………. 3 days from the receipt of a …………..………… order.

6. We ……………………. you that your order will have our …………….……… attention.

7. We ……………………… your ………….……… . Please ship at the first available opportunity.

8. Your order has been ………..…..……… . You can ………………….. shipping details on our website.

9. We …………………. from our ……………………… that payment of invoice 5718 is still outstanding.

10. We are …………………….. out of ……………………… of this item, but we expect new supplies shortly.

11. We ……………………….. for any …………...…………. which may have been caused.

12. The ……….…..………. Information is given below. Please ……………………….. your records
accordingly.

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