Unit 3
Skills for Writing Status Inquiries and Replies

Section 1: How to Write Status Inquiries & Replies
How to Make Status Inquiries
There are various ways of getting information on the other firms’ financial position, credit, reputation and business methods. Traders may apply to a business friend, banks, chambers of commerce, or enquiry agencies. The information obtained from a bank or from a chamber of commerce is generally most reliable. It’s often best for traders to get the necessary information from a bank through your own bank.
The Main Content of Status Inquiries & Replies
1) Indicate clearly the intention of the letter
2) Refer to access of the financial enquiry
3) Express thanks for the help
4) Assure the addressee that everything will be kept in confidence.
Sample 1: Status Inquiries
Dear Sir,
The Maryland Inc.
The subject company is now offering to represent us in the sale of our Sewing Machines, and has referred us to your bank for detailed information about its credit standing, business capacity and character. We shall appreciate it if you will give us your frank opinion on these points regarding the company.
Any information you may give us will be treated strictly in confidence.
We assure you of our reciprocating your courtesy at any time.
Yours respectfully,
Answer the Following Questions
1. What does the writer say in the first paragraph?
2. What promises does the writer make about the information the addressee might give?
Words and Expressions
1. offer: propose
e.g. She offered a few ideas to improve the plan.
2. represent: act in place of... as an agent does
e.g. Do you have anybody represent you in the sale of that product in Europe?
3. refer sb to sb else: ask sb to go to sb else for information
e.g. I am happy to refer you to the following people who can tell you about my work and character.
4. standing: position, status, reputation
e.g. This company’s financial standing is known.
5. credit: trust in one’s integrity in money matters and one’s ability to meet payments when due
e.g. Their credit is good.
Sample 2: Replies to Status Inquiries
Private & Confidential
Dear Sirs
Upon receipt of your letter of 30th October, we made inquiries respecting the firm you mentioned and have obtained the following information:
"Messrs. Willing & Co. made an arrangement with their creditors in December 19... Their liabilities were ￡5,000, with assets ￡4,000. The creditors agreed to a composition of 60p in the pound. A first dividend of 20p was paid after six months and a second dividend of 20p three month later, but nothing further. The business is said to be making no progress at the present time, and we would advise you to exercise extreme caution in your dealings with this firm.”
We have also made independent inquiries respecting the firm, and the result was practically a corroboration of our agent's report.
It would, therefore, appear inadvisable to enter into any credit transaction with these people.
You are welcome to this information free of charge, and we are pleased to have been of service to you in the matter.
Yours sincerely.
Answer the Following Questions
1. What does the writer say in the opening?
2. What does the writer say in the closing?
Words and Expressions
1. arrangement: settlement
e.g. They have made an arrangement with their creditors.
2. liabilities: debts
e.g. Their liabilities are US$1,ooo,ooo.oo. while their assets are less than that sum.
3. dividend: a part payment
e.g. They only get a dividend of 40 pence in the pound.
4. credit: transaction deal on credit
e.g. Do you do credit transactions?
5. free of charge: without being charged
e.g. The sample is free of charge.
Exercise
1. Translate the following letter into Chinese.
Confidential
Dear Sirs
We would like you to enquire into the financial and credit status of a firm in Milan on our behalf.
The firm is Santo Domino & Co., distributors of spare parts for cars. Their bank is the Banco di Italino, of 73 Via Milano. We would like to know their general financial reliability. In particular, their trade with us will involve a sum of USD50,000 initially, and perhaps a monthly credit of USD5,000 will be required. We should be pleased if you would let us know whether this credit is justified in view of their record in meeting payment dates. Is there a record of bad debts? We need to know this if we are to extend credit to them.
2. Translate the following letter into English.
先生们：
有关资信情况
8月3日来函收到，贵方要求我们谈谈信中提到的公司资信情况。
我们很高兴有这个机会向你们保证：我们对上述公司信心十足。该公司在本市开业多年，在业务能力和可靠履行职责方面受到高度敬重。
我公司和这家企业业务往来已超过六年，账目款项都是在规定日期及时结清。总的说来，这家公司信誉良好。
我们希望提供的这些信息会对你们有所帮助，并请严加保密。
此致
敬礼
2001年8月21日

Section 2: Skills for Writing Status Inquiries and Replies
How to Write Status Inquiries
Status inquiries are generally headed “Confidential” or “Private and Confidential”. Traders asking for information must remember that they are asking for a favor and therefore should write in polite and appreciative terms. When the information is received, no matter whether it is favorable or unfavorable, a suitable letter of acknowledgement and thanks must be sent. This is no more than common courtesy.
I. Conventionalities for Writing Status Inquiries
1. Will you please be so kind as to furnish us with details, as exact as possible, as to the credit which may be safely allowed to the firm whose name is given on the attached slip. 请你们给我们提供有关所附纸条上注明的公司的信用情况，越准确越好。
2. Messrs. Schneider & Kern have given us your name as a reference respecting their financial standing. Will you please inform us, in confidence, of the extent of their resources and also as to their reputation. Schneider & Kern公司推荐我方向贵方了解他们的金融财务状况。请贵方告知他们的资金财力和信誉情况，一切保密。
3. Any information you can furnish as to their capital and reputation would be greatly valued and treated in confidence by us. 你们能够提供有关他们资金信誉的任何情况，我们都将十分珍视，并保密。
4. We should be glad to know: a) whether they are in the wholesale trade; b) if their financial position is considered strong; c) if they are among leading wholesale firms in your city; d) whether they have the reputation of paying promptly; e) whether they have the reputation of keeping their engagements promptly and fully; f) what credit it would be safe to allow them; g) whether their credit is at all doubtful; h) whether they appear to have suffered very much from the strike in your district. 我们很乐意了解他们是否经营批发，他们的财务状况是否很好，他们是否是贵市的主要批发商，他们是否付款及时，他们是否及时彻底地守约，他们的信用贷款是否充足，他们的信用是否可靠，他们是否在贵地有工人罢工的麻烦。
5. The firm with whom we intend to deal has referred us to you for particulars respecting their business standing and trustworthiness. 我们将与之进行业务往来的那家商行要我们向贵行了解有关他们的商业地位与信誉。
6. We can assure you any information you may give us will be treated in absolute confidence. 我们可以向你方保证，你方给我们提供的任何信息，我们一定予以绝对保密。
7. We shall most grateful for any information you can obtain for us. 你们若能为我们获得任何情况，我们将不胜感激。
8. Any information you may be able to pass on to us will be treated as confidential. 对你提供的任何资料，我们都予以保密。
9. You may rest assured that any information you may provide will be treated as strictly confidential. 你们尽可放心，对你们提供的任何信息，我们一定予以绝对保密。
II. Conventionalities for Writing Replies to Status Inquiries
1. The Auto Engineer （责任编辑：城市网）