Business English Writing Order and Contract Unit Six

Introduction A contract is a legally binding agreement between two or more parties which starts with an offer from one person but which does not become a contract until the other party signifies an unequivocal willingness to accept the terms of that offer. The moment of acceptance is the moment from which a contract is said to exist, and not before. A contract is a legally binding agreement between two or more parties which starts with an offer from one person but which does not become a contract until the other party signifies an unequivocal willingness to accept the terms of that offer. The moment of acceptance is the moment from which a contract is said to exist, and not before.

Introduction Acceptance need not always be direct and can, in certain circumstances, be implied by conduct. Acceptance need not always be direct and can, in certain circumstances, be implied by conduct. Order is a commercial document used to request someone to supply something in return for payment and providing specifications and quantities. Order letters create one half of a contract. Order is a commercial document used to request someone to supply something in return for payment and providing specifications and quantities. Order letters create one half of a contract.

terms and conditions It was unpleasant to learn that the terms and conditions we finally agreed upon had been turned down by your company. It was unpleasant to learn that the terms and conditions we finally agreed upon had been turned down by your company. Other terms and conditions of the contract will be the same as usual. Other terms and conditions of the contract will be the same as usual. 得悉我们双方最终商定的条款遭你公司 拒绝，令人不快。 合同的其他条款与往常一样。

countersign Please return one copy with your counter- signature. Please return one copy with your counter- signature. When the Sales Contract has been signed by the seller, it will be countersigned by the buyer. When the Sales Contract has been signed by the seller, it will be countersigned by the buyer. 请会签退还一份。 销售合同经卖方签署后，须经买方 会签。

stipulate We note that your order stipulates direct shipment. We note that your order stipulates direct shipment. The contract stipulates payment by sight L/C. The contract stipulates payment by sight L/C. 我们注意到你方定单规定装直达船。 合同规定付款条件为即期信用证。

stipulate The contract stipulates that the goods should be shipped at one time. The contract stipulates that the goods should be shipped at one time. 合同规定货物必须一次全部装运。

Sample of Contract Purchasing Order Purchasing Order No: ZH No: ZH Date: Feb.13,2010 Date: Feb.13,2010 The Buyer: Zhonghua International Technology Corporation The Buyer: Zhonghua International Technology Corporation The Seller: Field Emission Corp. The Seller: Field Emission Corp. This contract is made by and between the Buyer and the Seller, whereby the Buyer agrees to buy and the Seller agrees to sell the under-mentioned commodity according to the terms and conditions stated below: This contract is made by and between the Buyer and the Seller, whereby the Buyer agrees to buy and the Seller agrees to sell the under-mentioned commodity according to the terms and conditions stated below: 1. Commodity: MP4 equipment 1. Commodity: MP4 equipment Quantity: 600 (sets) Quantity: 600 (sets) Unit price: USD Unit price: USD Total amount: USD48, Total amount: USD48, Country of origin and manufacturer: Field Emission Corp. in US 2. Country of origin and manufacturer: Field Emission Corp. in US 3. Packing 3. Packing To be packed in strong wooden cases or cartons. To be packed in strong wooden cases or cartons. 4. Shipping mark: 4. Shipping mark: The Seller shall mark on each package warnings like “ KEEP AWAY FROM MOISTURE ” as shipping mark. The Seller shall mark on each package warnings like “ KEEP AWAY FROM MOISTURE ” as shipping mark. 5. Date of shipment: May. 8, Date of shipment: May. 8, Port of shipment: Los Angeles 6. Port of shipment: Los Angeles 7. Port of destination: Ningbo 7. Port of destination: Ningbo 8. Insurance: 8. Insurance: To be borne by the Buyer after shipment. To be borne by the Buyer after shipment. 9. Payment, 9. Payment, Payment shall be effected by the Buyer, by telegraphic transfer, within 7 (seven) days after receipt of the shipping documents.10. Confirmed by: Payment shall be effected by the Buyer, by telegraphic transfer, within 7 (seven) days after receipt of the shipping documents.10. Confirmed by: The buyer: signature The seller signature The buyer: signature The seller signature

Place an order Dear Sir or Madam:, Dear Sir or Madam:, Thank you for your offer of Sep. 3, After studying your quotation, we decide to place the following order with you: Thank you for your offer of Sep. 3, After studying your quotation, we decide to place the following order with you: Commodity Item No. Unit Price(US$) Quantity Total(US$) Commodity Item No. Unit Price(US$) Quantity Total(US$) Electronic toys MAC ,000 Electronic toys MAC ,000 Electronic toys MAC ,000 Electronic toys MAC ,000 These items should conform to those described in your pricelist and the samples you sent us on Aug.15, Please acknowledge this order by your sales confirmation and let us know the earliest date of shipment. These items should conform to those described in your pricelist and the samples you sent us on Aug.15, Please acknowledge this order by your sales confirmation and let us know the earliest date of shipment. Thanks in advance. Thanks in advance.

Acknowledge an order Dear Ms. Megan: Dear Ms. Megan: We are pleased to have received your order of September 15 and would like to welcome you as a new customer of Payton ’ s Plastics. We are pleased to have received your order of September 15 and would like to welcome you as a new customer of Payton ’ s Plastics. Your order (No ) for one dozen 4 ’ x 5 ’ sheets of 1/8 ” Lucite is being processed and will be delivered to your workshop by our own van, and payment will be c.o.d. 12 (our policy 13for all orders under $100). Your order (No ) for one dozen 4 ’ x 5 ’ sheets of 1/8 ” Lucite is being processed and will be delivered to your workshop by our own van, and payment will be c.o.d. 12 (our policy 13for all orders under $100). We are sure you will appreciate the clear finish and tensile strength of our entire line of plastics. Ms. Julie Methel, your sales representative, will call on you soon with a catalog and samples. We are sure you will appreciate the clear finish and tensile strength of our entire line of plastics. Ms. Julie Methel, your sales representative, will call on you soon with a catalog and samples. Cordially, Cordially, Payton ’ s Plastics, Inc. Payton ’ s Plastics, Inc.

Decline an order Dear Mr. Smith, Dear Mr. Smith, Thanks for you placing an order of 5000 bikes in our company. While, we are sorry that we can't accept your order. Thanks for you placing an order of 5000 bikes in our company. While, we are sorry that we can't accept your order. Since we have received another big order last week and we must deliver the goods in time. If you like, we can introduce another bicycle manufacturer to you. Since we have received another big order last week and we must deliver the goods in time. If you like, we can introduce another bicycle manufacturer to you. Hoping your understanding and we are looking forward for next cooperation with you. Hoping your understanding and we are looking forward for next cooperation with you. Your truly, Your truly,

Useful expressions Useful expressions We have large orders on hand, and will only work with producers who can guarantee timely delivery. We have large orders on hand, and will only work with producers who can guarantee timely delivery. We are pleased to receive your order and guarantee that this order will be shipped immediately. We are pleased to receive your order and guarantee that this order will be shipped immediately. We hope this order to reach your quality standard so that we can receive your next order in near future. We hope this order to reach your quality standard so that we can receive your next order in near future. The letter confirmed the recent change in your purchasing order of July 4, The letter confirmed the recent change in your purchasing order of July 4, The order you placed before the Chinese New Year is now being produced, and will be loaded next month. The order you placed before the Chinese New Year is now being produced, and will be loaded next month. We acknowledge the receipt of your order. We acknowledge the receipt of your order. If we had got your samples earlier, we would have placed big orders. If we had got your samples earlier, we would have placed big orders. You must guarantee the air shipment before Christmas. You must guarantee the air shipment before Christmas. Due to the lack of raw materials, we are unable to finish such a big order quantity. Due to the lack of raw materials, we are unable to finish such a big order quantity. This is our customer ’ s urgent order, so please rush it. This is our customer ’ s urgent order, so please rush it. Upon receipt of your issued L/C at sight, we will arrange the shipment immediately. Upon receipt of your issued L/C at sight, we will arrange the shipment immediately. After receiving the 30% advance payment, we will start production without delay. After receiving the 30% advance payment, we will start production without delay. Due to the rise of labor cost and the fluctuation of RMB exchange rate, we have to increase the price. Due to the rise of labor cost and the fluctuation of RMB exchange rate, we have to increase the price. We hope to receive your faxed sales confirmation with signature within 3 days. We hope to receive your faxed sales confirmation with signature within 3 days. This is our s/c with signature. Please check and advise. This is our s/c with signature. Please check and advise. As regulated by the clauses in the contract, the airway bill must be borne by your side. As regulated by the clauses in the contract, the airway bill must be borne by your side.