Lesson 14 Reply to First Enquiry 对首次询盘的答复
首次询盘意味着双方未来可能有业务上的往来，所以卖方必须及时、礼貌地答复买方的首次询盘，并提供买方需要的各种信息。
一般来说，对首次询盘的答复包括三个部分：开始句表明已收到对方询盘，并表示感谢。主体部分提供进口商需要的全部信息，也可以采取随函附寄相关材料的方式进行说明。最后劝说进口商尽快答复，以便达成交易。
要注意的是，对询盘的答复其实是一个发盘，当进口方同意答复中的交易条款和条件时，这些条款和条件对写信人就具有了法律约束力，所以在答复时一定要保证内容的真实性和合理性。
Dear Sirs，
We are very pleased to receive your enquiry of 15th January and enclose our illustrated cata-logue and price list giving the details you ask for. Also by separate post，we are sending you some samples and feel confident that when you have examined them you will agree the goods are both excellent in quantity and reasonable in price.
Our regular purchases in quantities of no less than 100 dozen of individual items. we would allow you a discount of 2%. Payment is to be made by irrevocable L/C at sight.
Because of their softness and durability，our all cotton bed-sheets and pillowcases are rapidly becoming popular and after studying our prices you will not be surprised to learn that we find it difficult to meet the demand. But if you place your order not later than the end of this month，we would ensure prompt shipment.
We invite your attention to our other products such as tablecloth and table napkins，details of which you will find in the catalogue，and look forward to receiving your first order.
Yours faithfully，
Words List
catalogue= catalog n. 商品目录
examine v. 检验，检查，审核，审查
irrevocable L/C 不可撤销的信用证
durability n. 耐用
table napkins 餐巾
Notes
1．by separate post 另封；另邮寄
也可以写成under separate cover，by separate mail。
We are mailing you，under separate cover，photographs of the offered goods.
我们另寄你所订货的照片。
We are sending you catalog under separate cover. =We are sending you catalogue by separate mail.
目录本即将另外邮寄出。
辨析：under separate cover和under cover under cover随函，即attach，enclose。
We have received，under cover，a detailed price list of light industrial goods available for export.
我们已随函收到可供出口的轻工产品的详细价目单。
We are sending you under cover a copy of our price list. = We are enclosing a copy of our pricelist.
随函寄去我方价目表一份。
We are enclosing（herewith）a price list of the knitwear.
我们随函寄去针织品的价目单一份。
2．sample
1）n. 样品（在表示“……的样品”时，常接介词of或for）
We have forwarded you by separate airmail 2 lbs sample of（for）this material.
我们已航空邮寄这种商品的样品2磅。
Quality must be up to sample.
质量必须完全与样品相同。
The sample is for reference only.
样品仅供参考。
The business is not done on the basis of sample.
这笔交易不是根据样品成交的。
2）v. 取样以作检验；检验样品的结果是……
We are advised by the users that they have sampled the goods and found the quality answer the purpose very well.
用户告诉我们他们曾取样检验，认为质量完全合乎要求。
3．feel confident that … 深信……
4．examine v．
1）检验，检查
The goods were carefully examined before shipment.
货物在装运前经过仔细检查。
2）审查，审核
The issuing bank shall have a reasonable time to examine the documents.
开证行应有一个合理的时间来审核单据。
辨析：examine，inspect，scrutinize，audit与check
a.examine表示严密调查，以确定某一事实、某事的真正性质、特征、状况或测定某事的质量、效力、真实性或功能等。
b.inspect用于法律、军事、政府和工业方面时，指认真搜查可能出现的错误、缺陷或缺点。例如：
On close inspection，it was found out to be a forgery.
仔细检查，才发现它是伪造物。
c.scrutinize表示密切观察和关注微小细节。例如：
The jeweler scrutinized the diamond of flaws.
珠宝商仔细察看钻石有无瑕疵。
d.audit表示认真检查账目，看其是否正确。例如：
Each bank is audited annually by a certified public accountant.
每家银行每年都由政府部门的会计检查账目。
e.check表示认真仔细检查以便看到一切都正确。例如：
You'd better send your accountant to check the statement.
你最好派你公司会计去查对一下报表。
5．purchase
1）n. 购买，所购置物
Regarding the balance of our purchases，please wait for our shipping instructions.
关于我们所购货的余数，请等我们的装船要求。
We are agreeable to opening sight L/C to cover our purchases.
我们同意开即期信用证以付所购货物。
2）v. 购买（buy和purchase都作“购买”解，但前者是一般用语，对一切性质的购买均可使用，后者只用于较正式或规模较大的商业业务。作名词用时后者较为普遍。）
We are purchasing these goods for our own account（for the account of Messrs…）.
这些货是我们自己买的（代xx公司买的）。
6．place one's order 订货
place an order with sb. 向……订货
We are glad to place an order with you for 50 tons Dried Potato Slices.
我们很高兴向你方订购五十吨干土豆片。
We are pleased to have booked an order with you for 100 tons Bitter Apricot Kernels.
我们很高兴向你方订购了100吨苦杏仁。
7．invite one's attention to sth． 提请……注意……
相同的短语还有：draw one's attention to sth.，direct one's attention to sth. 或invite（call， draw）one's attention to the fact that…
bring sth. to one's attention… 提出某事请某人注意。例如：
We wish to call your attention to the shipment of our Order No.45.
我们院提请你们注意办理装运我方第45号订单的货物。
receive one's attention 得到注意，予以办理。例如：
Your letter has received our careful attention.
来信已引起我方密切注意。
8．first order 首批订单