Situation 2：Writing“Inquiry”

Inquiries can be initiated by sellers or buyers. Usually an inquiry from a buyer is asking for a price, product catalogue, samples, details, or other trade terms and conditions.This is called an invitation to make an offer.If the inquiry is made by the seller, then it takes the form of an invitation to make a bid, which is written mainly to sell certain goods.

Sample 1：Cardigan Sweater

Hi, my name is Mike Goodwill, assistant manager of Skyline Garment Co.，Ltd.. Skyline is a retailer of high-end garment products.I saw your profile and would like to know more about your cardigan sweaters.Please send me the information about your sweaters including the quality, cost, payment, etc.Also, please send me some of your samples including the best price per unit that you are able to offer me.I am very interested in starting a business relationship with you and I would like to be one of the main retailers of your products here in the U.S.A.Thank you and I hope to hear from you soon.

Yours，

Mike Goodwill

Assistant Manager

Skyline Garment Co.，Ltd.

Sample 2：Looking for Men’s Fine-knit Jumper

Dear Sir/Madam，

We are looking for men's fine-knit jumpers. Small, medium and large，400 to 500 pieces per size, in different colors, pre-washed, and looking for a 32 thread count.Let me know ASAP.

Sample 3：Inquiry for T-shirt

Kindly study the below inquiry for T-shirt：

Quantity：Please offer for the following separate quantities：50. 000-20.000-10.000-5.000-2.000pieces

Product：T-shirt in general style as per attached drawings, divided in two adults sizes（exact size specifications to be advised）

Material：100%cotton，140 gsm

Printed logo as per attached drawings（That's just a simulation for the time being, just to give you an idea about the type of multi-coloured logos, then exact logo artworks will follow, anyway as you can see it will be a transfer print）

Inner label stitched at neck point, with made in PRC, importer's name, material composition, washing instructions

Required packaging：

Each item folded and wrapped up around a piece of white cardboard support in white colour, about 500 gsm, size 21×28 cm

Each piece in a sealed polythene bag with anti-suffocation holes and warnings

Required Certifications：AZODYES+REACH

We pay for certification costs, you guarantee that the products are supplied in good enough quality to pass the tests.

Waiting for your quotation, packing details, best shipment date, etc.

Kindly arrange your offer using the attached quotation form.

Sample 4：Please Send Price on Monder Men’s Oxford Shirt

Buyer's country：United Kingdom

Can you tell me how much and where I can get this from, please?

Thank you.

Lily

Lily. Sinclair 82@hotmail.co.uk

Mrs. Lily Sinclair

07931843892

Lily's mobile beauty

Exercise：

1.There are typically six different buyers who may send inquiries to you.Those buyers aim to：a.find sellers.b.enter the market.c.collect information.d.send random letters.e.be a business spy.f.ask for samples.Try to identify the above Six inquiry letters（Table1-1）.

Table1-1

2.Try to write different inquiry letters for different aims.

Words and Expressions

advised　提供

anti-suffocation　防窒息

assistant　助理

attach　附上

bid　出价

cardigan　羊毛衫

certification　证明、鉴定

composition　成分

count　计算、清点

garment　衣服

high-end　高档

initiate　开始、创始

inquiry　询函

invitation　邀请

jumper　无袖套衫、针织套衫

label　标签

logo　商标

offer　出价

polythene bag　聚乙烯袋

pre-washed　预先洗水

profile　简介

quotation　报价

retailer　零售商

simulation　模仿

specification　规格、说明书

stitch　缝

subject　主题栏

thread　线

transfer　转移

warp　经纱、弯曲