Jebb: Now that we’ve satisfactorily dealt with the question of payment terms,I’m eager to know if it’s possible to effect shipment during March?
Tian: I’m sorry we can’t effect shipment in March.
Jebb: By the middle of April, I think.
Jebb: That would be too late. These goods are urgently required by our customers for the shopping season in May. Also, our customs formalities will take quite a long time. You mujst deliver the goods before April, or else we won’t be able catch the shopping season.
Tian: It’s all very well for you to say that. But the problem is that ourfactory has a lot of back orders on hand. And all of these orders have to be dealt with in strict rotatiopn. As a result, it’s very difficult ofr us to improve any further on the time.
Jebb: Can’t ypu find some way for an earlier delivery? It means a lot to us. If we place our goods on the market at a time when all other importer s have sold theirs at profitable prices, we shall lose out.
Tian: Let me see… How is this then? Considering our long standing business relations, we’ll make an effort to negotiate with our manufacturers again and request them to advance shipment to the beginning of April. That is to say, advancing shipment by 10 days. But then the workers will have to work three shifts for it. I think this is the best we can do at present.
Jebb: That’s terrific. Then I’ll take you at yoour word. May I suggest you put it down in the contract? My letter if credit will be issured early in March. Other terms and conditions remain the same as in previous dealings.
Tian: OK. On our part, we’ll do everything we can to ensure punctual shipment.
Jebb: I don’t know how to thank you enough. I hope the volume of trade between us will be even grater in future.
NEW WORDS
satisfactorily 令人滿意地 imprter 進口商
deal 處理 profitable 有利可得
eager 渴望的，著急的 advance v. 向前進，提前
during 在……期間 previlus 以前的
middle 中間 relationship 關系
April 4月 negotiate 磋商
season 季節 manufacturer 生產廠家
formality 手續 shift 移動，變換，輪班
catch 趕上 ensure 確保
shopping 銷售 volume （貿易）量
strict 嚴格的 terrific 可怕的，極大的
rotation 旋轉的 punctual 守時的，準時的
