Unit 3a Ordering Goods

Part I Placing an order

How many forms of selling can you think of? Retailing / Wholesaling Closeout sales/clearance sales/going-out-of- business sales/buy one get one free / bundle sale/ cutthroat sale / Seasonal sale / special offer /anniversary premium / loss leader Online selling (e.g. Auction sales) Mail-order

VideoWatching Watch a video. What are the basic qualities that retailers need to have? Take notes.

Qualities Have the right product, right time, right place Quick response New philosophy and mindset

Speaking – qualities of a good supplier Work in groups. Suppose you own Otto, a mail order company. Discuss what qualities it looks for in its suppliers.

Some Key Qualities Reliable supplier –honesty, integrity, accountability, and dependability. Provide good quality merchandise –Goods of consistent quality Have flexibility toward new/additional requirements - Quick response Courtesy and co-operation Timely delivery Attractive price

Reading 1 Korinna works at Otto ’ s HQs. She wants to order some goods from Italian suppliers. Read her fax to Otto ’ s Italian subsidiary. Are the statements below true or false? (P31) F T F F T

Reading 2 Read Antonella ’ s reply to Korinna and answer the questions on P32. Suggested answers To query Korinna ’ s change of order. Antonella thought the two different lengths for each skirt had been agreed when Mr. Hubner was in Italy. Antonella is going to wait for Korinna to confirm the information about the length of skirts required before contacting the vendors.

How could you improve Antonella ’ s fax? − Layout − Paragraphs − Connectors − Sentences − Accuracy

Layout: too dense, off-putting. It might help if using headings, bullet points and brackets. Paragraphs: divide the text into paragraphs to aid clarity. Connectors: not used to much, unclear. Sentences: some are extremely long. One idea per sentence is a good idea. Accuracy: core words should be spelt correctly. Good punctuation aids clarity.

Now write a clearer version of Antonella ’ s fax.

Dear Korinna RE: Order for Faci (314739) and Cristi (315227) skirts Thank you for your fax concerning the above skirts. I discussed the problems regarding the two skirts with Mr. Hubner during his trip to Italy. The skirt made by Faci has a slit at the bottom, which might make it difficult if the customer wanted to change the length of the skirt. We therefore agreed that the vendor would have to supply the skirt in two different lengths.

Mr. Hubner also thought it might be better to leave the two different lengths of the Cristi skirt. The skirt has a special knitting technique; as a result, it might be difficult if the customer wanted to shorten it. When Mr. Hubner left Italy, I thought we had sorted the problems out. I was therefore surprised by your fax cancelling the other sizes. Please let me know if you definitely want to cancel the other length skirt. As for reducing the total quantity, I will wait for confimration fo the information about lengths before I contact the vendors. Thanks and best regards.

Part IIDiscussing changes

Listening1: Korinna receives Antonella ’ s reply and phones her. Listen to their conversation. What does Antonella have to do? Suggested answer She has to call Cristi and Faci to confirm the order for 400 standard length skirts before facing Korinna to let her know.

Listen again. What phrases are used to express the following functions? –Confirming information –Requesting action –Promising action –Thanking –Referring to future contact

Matching Suggested answer - Suggesting Why don ’ t we … We propose … - Giving information Here is the information you wanted. I trust you will find the …

- Asking for confirmation Let me know when you have … Could you please confirm … - Asking for information Can you send me details on … I would be very grateful if you … - Reminding Don ’ t forget that … May I remind you that … ?

Part IIIConfirming changes

Reading 3. Antonella speaks to the vendors and then faxes Korinna. In most numbered lines of her fax there is one extra word. Find the extra word. (P34)

Further to our phone conversation of this morning, both the Cristi and Faci have confirmed that they will be produce articles (Cristi) and (Faci) in standard length only. They are also able to reduce by the quantity to only 400 pieces for each skirt. Please advise whether the measurements charts we already have will need to changing or not. Does this mean all knitted skirts will now be produced in a standard length?

Writing: Write a word reply to Antonella.

Suggested answer: Dear Antonella, Thank you for your fax. In answer to your queries, I can confirm that the measurements charts do not need changing and all knitted skirts will now be produced in a standard length. We would like to propose a delivery date of 30 June. Does that suit you? Best regards Korinna

Homework Check your box for Writing Assignment(Invitation Letter).