Price

价格

Brief Introduction

对外贸易中的商品单价通常由四个部分组成，即计量单位、单位价格、计价货币和价格术语。

国际贸易中使用的价格术语很多，其中以 F.O.B、C.I.F、及C.F.R三种价格术语最为常用。对于这三种价格术语，国际上有多种解释，现将这三种价格术语扼要解释如下：

1.F.O.B 该价格叫装运港船上交货价，简称“船上交货”。F.O.B是 Free On Board的缩写。采用这一价格术语时要在其后注明装运港名称。

2.C.I.F 该价格叫成本加保险费、运费价。C.I.F是Cost Insurance Freight的缩写。采用这种价格术语的时候，应在C.I.F后注明目的港名称。

3.C.F.R该价格叫成本加运费价。采用这种价格术语时，也应在 C.F.R后注明目的港名称。

Basic Expressions

1. If you can reduce the price by 5%, we shall be able to order 200 metric tons.

如果你方能降价百分之五，我们将订购二百公吨。

2. Business is possible if you increase the price by 2%.

如果你方提价百分之二，交易才有可能。

3. We are not interested unless your price is reduced to a level in line with the market price.

除非你们把价格降到与市场价格相等，否则我们不感兴趣。

4. We have been informed that the current price on your side is much higher than what you say.

我们听说你方的现行价比你方所说的要高很多。

5. Sellers decide to wait no matter when the price picks up. 不管价格何时回升，卖方决定再等一等。

6. Our prices are highly competitive when you consider quality.

如果你们考虑一下质量的话，我们的价格是很有竞争性的。

7. Our price is net without commission.

我们的价格是净价，不含佣金。

8. To meet your requirements, we would like to reduce our price by 2%, which, I hope, will be satisfactory to you.

为满足你方要求，我们愿降价百分之二,希望能令你们满意。

9. I’m awfully sorry. This is our floor price. If you find it unworkable, we may as well call the deal off.

很遗憾，这是我们的底价。如果你觉得价格不可行，我们只好取消这笔交易。

10. Will you please quote F.O.B Brussels in U.S. dollar?

请你们以美元、布鲁塞尔离岸价报价。

11. It’s better for us to have a talk on price terms, because it is one of the key points in our dealings.

我们最好先谈价格条件，因为它是做生意的一个关键。

12. I’ll have to consult my home office before I can give you a definite answer on the price terms.

在答复你方有关价格条件之前，我得先跟我们国内公司联系一下。

Conversations

Dialogue 1

A: I’ve come to hear about your offer for bristles.

B: We have the offer ready for you. Let me see ... here it is. 100 cases Houston Bristles, 57 mm, at 10 pounds sterling per kilogram, C.I.F

European Main Ports, for shipment in June 2001. The offer is valid for five days.

A: Why, your price has soared. It’s almost 25% higher than last year’s. It would be impossible for us to push any sales at such a price.

B: I’m a little surprised to hear you say that. You know very well that markets for bristles have gone up a great deal in recent months. The price we offer compares favorably with quotations you can get elsewhere.

-- 我是来听取你们对猪鬃的报盘。

-- 我们已为你准备好了报盘。让我找一找，啊，在这里，100箱57毫 米休斯敦猪鬃，每公斤成本加运费保险费到欧洲主要口岸价10英 镑，2001年6月交货。报盘五天有效。

-- 为什么你方的价格猛涨，几乎比去年高出25%？按这种价格，我方 实在难以销售。

-- 你这样说让我有点惊讶。近月来猪鬃市价涨了很多。我方所报的价格与你从别处能获得的价格相比，是较为便宜的。

A: I’m afraid I can’t agree with you there. I must point out your price is higher than some of the quotations we’ve received from other sources.

B: But you must take the quality into consideration. Everyone in the trade knows that US’s bristles are of superior quality to those from other countries.

A: I agree that yours are of better quality. But there’s competition from synthetic products, too. You can’t very well ignore that. Prices for synthetic bristles haven’t changed much over the years.

B: There’s practically no substitute for bristles for certain uses. That’s why demand for natural bristles keeps rising in spite of cheaper synthetic ones. To be frank with you, if it were not for the long- standing relationship between us, we would hardly be willing to make you a firm offer at this price.

A: Well, we’ll have a lot of difficulties in persuading our clients to buy at this price. But I’ll have to try, I suppose.

-- 恐怕我不同意你的说法，你们的价格比我们从别处所得到的一些报价高。

-- 但是你方必须考虑到质量的问题。同行中人人皆知美国猪鬃质地优于其他国家的供货。

-- 我承认你们的猪鬃质量高，但还有人造制品的竞争。你恐怕不能忽视这一点吧。今年来，人造制品的价格并无多大变化。

-- 在某些用途方面，几乎没有东西可以代替猪鬃。尽管人造制品价格 便宜，但对天然猪鬃的需求还在不断增长，原因就在这里。老实 说，如果不是为了我们双方长期以来的关系，我们不大可能以这样 的价格向你方报实盘的。

-- 唉，要说服客户以这个价格购买，对我们来说还真不容易。不过看来，我得试一试。

Dialogue 2

A: I believe you’ve studied our proposal for fertilizers.

B: Yes, Mr. Smith. And we’re very much interested.

A: It’s almost twenty years since we first supplied you with our

products in 1984. To our regret, for one reason or another, business between us has failed to develop. I hope we’ll succeed in concluding some business this time.

B: As we’ve repeatedly stated, US does business on the basis of equality, mutual benefit and exchange of needed goods. If these principles are adhered to, I’m certain that mutually beneficial

business will result.

-- 我相信你们已经仔细研究过了我们的肥料报盘。

-- 是的，史密斯先生，我们对此很感兴趣。

-- 我们于1984年首次向你方供应产品至今差不多已有20年之久。由于种种原因，我们之间的业务未能继续下去，对此我们感到很遗 憾。希望我们这次能达成一些交易。

-- 我们一再说明，美国是在平等互利、互通有无的基础上进行贸易 的。若遵循了这些原则，我确信能够达成对双方都有利的交易。

A: May we hear your comments on your products?

B: We find the quality of your samples well up to standard and suitable for our requirements. On the other hand, we’re received offers for higher quality products. So business depends very much on your prices.

A: Taking everything into consideration, you’ll find that our prices compare favorably with the quotations you can get elsewhere.

B: I’m not sure of that. Before coming to the discussion of price, may I point out that we would like to have you quote us on a F. O.B. basis?

A: I don’t quite understand. For bulk goods such as chemical

fertilizers, it’s the sellers who arrange the shipping space. It is more convenient for us, as well as for you.

B: Well, we prefer to have the US National Chartering Corporation take care of the shipping. It doesn’t make a difference to you, does it?

A: Well, it does make a slight difference, but we’ll do as you request.

-- 请对我们的产品提提意见好吗？

-- 我们认为你们的样品质量符合标准而且适合我们的需要，但是另一 方面，我们已收到高档货的报盘，所以业务能否成交在很大程度上 要看你方的价格。

-- 如果把各种因素都加以考虑，你就会发现我们的价格比别处报的要 便宜。

-- 这点我不敢肯定，在谈判价格之前，我想提出，我们希望你方报船 上交货的价格，行吗？

-- 我不大明白，象化肥这一类的大宗货得由卖方安排舱位。这对你我 都方便。

-- 喔，我们宁愿由美国租船公司去负责装船。这对你方没有多大 区别，对不对？

-- 喔，稍稍有点区别，但我们可以照你的意见办。

Dialogue 3

A: I have here our price sheet on a F.O.B. basis. The prices are given without engagement.

B: Good, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll go over the sheet right now.

A: Take your time.

B: I can tell you at a glance that your prices are much too high.

A: I’m surprised to hear you say so. You know that the cost of pro- duction has been skyrocketing in recent years.

B: We only ask that your prices be comparable to others. That’s reasonable, isn’t it?

A: Well, to get the business done, we can consider making some concessions in our price. But first, you’ll have to give me an idea of the quantity you wish to order from us, so that we may adjust our prices accordingly.

-- 这是我们船上交货价的价目单。所报价格没有约束力。

-- 很好。如果可以，我马上把价目单看一遍。

-- 请便。

-- 我一看这份价目单就知道你们的价格太高了。

-- 你这么说我很吃惊。你知道近年来生产成本迅速上涨。

-- 我们只要求你方的价格能和别人差不多就行了。这个要求很合理，对不对？

-- 好吧，为了成交，我们可以考虑作些让步，不过要请你先说明大概要订购多少，以便我们对价格作相应的调整。

B: The size of our order depends greatly on the prices. Let’s settle that matter first.

A: Well, as I’ve said, if your order is large enough, we’re ready to reduce our prices by 2 percent.

B: When I say your prices are much too high, I don’t mean they are higher merely by 2 or 3 percent.

A: How much do you mean then? Can you give me a rough idea?

B: To have this business concluded, I should say a reduction of least 10 percent would help.

A: Impossible. How can you expect us to make a reduction to that extent?

B: I think you are as well - informed as I am about the market for chemical fertilizers. It’s unnecessary for me to point out that sup- ply exceeds demand at present and that this situation is apt to continue for a long time yet. May I suggest that you call your home office and see what they have to say?

A: Very well, I will.

-- 我们要订的数量很大程度上取决于价格，就让我们先解决价格问 题吧。

-- 好吧，如果你们的订货数量很大，我们准备减价百分之二。

-- 我说你们的价格太高，并不是说仅仅高出百分之二或三。

-- 那么你说是多少呢？能不能说一个大概的数字？

-- 为了促成交易，我认为大约给百分之十的折扣才行。

-- 不可能，你怎么能要求我们给那么大的折扣呢？

-- 有关化肥的行情，我想你和我一样都很了解。用不着我来指出， 目前的情况是供过于求，而且这种情况还要延续很长一段时间。 我建议你打个电话给你们公司，看看他们有什么意见？

-- 好吧，我打个电话问问。

Notes

1. be apt to 有……倾向的

2. The offer is valid for… 报价有效期是…

3. to make sales of / to push sales of 推销

4.markets for bristles have gone up 猪鬃行情上涨

5. I can’t agree with you there. 在这一点上我不同意你的意见。

6. from other sources 从其他来源（供应者）

7. long-standing relationship 长期的合作关系

8. We’ll have a lot of difficulties in persuading our clients?

我们将难以说服我们的客户……

9. to our regret 使我们遗憾的是

10. on the basis of equality, mutual benefit and exchange of needed goods

在平等互利和互通有无的基础上

11. taking everything into consideration 在全面考虑之后

12. shipping space 舱位

13. without engagement 不受约束的

14. to get the business done 为了做成买卖

15. supply exceeds demand 供过于求

A Specimen Letter

Dear Sir,

You letter of 15th August addressed to our Head Office has been passed on to us for attention and reply.

We now take pleasure in advising you that the price of Brown Crystal Sugar is at USA per metric ton F.O.B. Of course we also quote C.F.R. or C.I.F. prices if buyers so desire. The price terms to be employed depend much on the characteristics of the goods as well as their specific transport requirement and shall always serve the best interest of buyers and sellers alike.

We are looking forward to your order.

Yours truly,

释文

先生：

您八月十五日致我总公司的信函已转交到我处作复。

我们高兴地通知您红砂糖的船上到岸价为每公吨#美元。当然，如果买方愿要C.F.R.或C.I.F.价，我们也可照办。采用哪种价格，取决于产品的特点以及所需的运输条件，同时要使其符合买卖双方彼此的利益。

盼望收到你方订单。

Substitution Drills

1 A: Our price is U.S.$ 98 per pound.

B: I must say the price is too high for me to accept.

must point out the price is too high to interest us.

can assure you the price is too high to be competitive.

我们的价格是每磅98美元。

我必须说价格太高不能接受。

我必须说价格太高我们难以接受。

我向你保证价格太高了，没有竞争力。

2 A: I hope you’ll quote favorably.

quote us your best terms.

give us your lowest price quotes.

B: Our rates are in line with the world market.

Our prices fit in with today’s market situation.

We always give our customers the best terms.

我希望你们报价优惠。

我们的价格与国际市场上的是一致的。

我们的价格与今天的市场形式相吻合。

我们总是给我们的顾客最好的协议条款。

3 A: Our users are under the impression that your prices are usually on the high side compared with those of other suppliers.

have the idea that your prices are usually a bit too high.

are of the opinion that your prices are usually rather stiff.

B: One can’t consider price separately from quality.

One has to take quality into account.

When comparing prices, one has to take into consideration the quality of the goods.

我们的用户总是认为你们的价格相对于其他供货商较高。

我们的使用者认为你们的价格总是有点太高。

我们的用户认为你们的价格总是相当昂贵。

不能只看价格，不看质量。

还要考虑质量因素。

衡量价格时，也应该考虑商品的质量问题。

4 A: Other suppliers are offering a much higher rate of commission.

a much better price.

more favorable payment terms.

B: 2% is the usual commission we allow for a small quantity.

$100 is actually the lowest we can do for a small quantity.

其他供货商提供更高比例的佣金。

其他供货商提供更好的价格。

其他供货商提供更优惠的支付条款。

对于小批量的订货，我们通常给百分之二的佣金。

对于小批量的订货，我们的最低价格是100美元。

5 That’s the best we can do. We can’t go any lower.

the lowest price we can offer. We can’t take less.

our bottom price.

这是我们最优惠的价格，我们不能再低了。

那是我们可以提供的最低的价格。不能再少了。

那是我们的底线。

6 A: If we guarantee an annual order of a certain amount,

would you give us a special discount?

would you give us a higher rate of commission?

would you give us some advertising expenses?

B:We can make that kind of arrangement with you.

will have to know how much you can guarantee first.

can’t promise anything before we know more of your plan.

如果我们保证每年一定数量的订货，你们能给我们特殊折扣吗？

如果我们保证每年一定数量的订货，你们能给我们高一点的佣金 率吗？

如果我们保证每年一定数量的订货，你们能给我们一些广告经费 吗？

我们可以为您作出这个安排。

我们必须知道你首先能给我们保证多少数量的订货。

在我们更多地了解您的计划以前，我们什么都不能承诺。

7 A: We may offer you allowances on a sliding scale.

B: Could you put it more exactly?

put it more precisely?

give the details?

我们可以按比例给您提供佣金。

您能说得更详细点吗？

8 The price depends on the size.

quality

material

style

价格取决于 尺码。

质量

质地

款式

9 It sells at 20 yuan a case.

50 pounds

40 dollars

35 marks

一箱 20元。

50英镑

40美圆

35马克

10 How much is this large size one?

the electronic fan?

the computer software?

这个大号的 多少钱？

这台电风扇

这个电脑软件

11 It’s about 300 yuan including the case.

postage

batteries

包括 盒子 大约300元。

邮费

电池