P=Peter (customer), Li=a businessman (of a Chinese trade company)
P: I'm glad to have the chance to visit your company. I hope to conclude some substantial business with you.
L: It's a great pleasure, Mr. Peter, to have the opportunity of meeting you. I believe you have seen the exhibits in the showroom. May I know what particular items you're interested in?
P: I'm interested in your hardware. I have seen the exhibits and studied your catalogs. I think some of the items will find a ready market in Canada. Here is a list of my requirements, for which I'd like to have your lowest quotations, CIF Vancouver.
L: Thank you for your inquiry. Would you tell us the quantity you require so as to enable us to work out the offers?
P: I'll do that. Meanwhile, would you give me an indication of price?
L: Here are our FOB. price lists. All the prices in the lists are subject to our confirmation.
P: What about the commission? From European suppliers I usually get a 3 to 5 percent commission for my imports. It's the general practice.
L: As a rule we do not allow any commission. But if the order is large enough, we'll consider it.
P: You see, I do business on commission basis. A commission on your prices would make it easier for me to promote sales. Even a 2 or 3 percent would help.
L: We'll discuss this when you place your order with us.
P: When can I have your firm CIF prices, Mr. Li?
L: We'll have them worked out by this evening and let you know tomorrow morning. Would you be good enough to come round then?
P: Good. I'll be here tomorrow morning at 10. Will that suit you?
L: Perfectly. Our offers are good for 3 days.
P: I don't need that long to make up my mind. If your prices are favorable and if I can get the commission I want, I can place the order right away.
L: I am sure you'll find our price most favorable. Elsewhere prices for hardware have gone up tremendously in recent years. Our prices haven't changed much.
P: I'm glad to hear that. As I've just said, I hope to conclude some substantial business with you.
L: We shall be very pleased. Is there any thing else I can do for you, Mr. Peter?
P: I'm buying for chain department stores in Canada. They are also interested in Chinese carpets. I'd like to make me to the person in charge of this line?
L: Certainly. I'll make an appointment for you with Mr. Sung of the China National Animal By-products Corp.
P: I understand that you're interested in our machine tools, Mr. Li.
L: Yes, We're thinking of placing an order. We'd like to know what you can offer along this line as well as your sales conditions.
P: As you know, we supply machine tools of all types and sizes. We have years of experience in the manufacture tools.
L: We've read about this in your sales literature. May I have an idea of your price?
P: Our prices compare favorably with those offered by other manufactures either in Europe or anywhere else. Here are our latest price sheets. You will see that our prices are most competitive.
L: Do you take special order? That is, do you make machine according to specification?
P: We do. As a matter of fact, we design machine tools for special purposes.
L: How long does it usually take you to make delivery?
P: As a rule, we deliver all our orders within 3 months after receipt of the covering letters of credit. It takes longer, of course, for special orders. But in no case would it take longer than 6 months.
L: Good, Another thing, all your prices are on CIF basis. We'd rather have you quote us FOB prices.
P: That can easily be worked out.
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