1. LECTURE 4 REQUEST LETTERS

2. REQUEST LETTERSBusiness Lexis • applicable (adj) • closure (n) • discount (n) • fiscal (adj) • motivate (v) • potential (adj) • relevant • state of being concluded • reduction from the regular price • financial • move to action • possible

3. REQUEST LETTERSBusiness Lexis • recipient (n) • weather vane (n) • one who receives • a device for showing wind direction

4. REQUEST LETTERSIntroduction Reasons for writing a request letter: 1. To obtain information (such as prices or technical data). 2. To receive printed matter (such as booklets, catalogs, price lists, and reports). 3. To receive sample products.

5. REQUEST LETTERSIntroduction 4. To order merchandise. 5. To engage services (including repair or maintenance services). 6. To make reservations (at hotels, restaurants, theaters). 7. To seek special favors (such as permission, assistance, or advice).

6. REQUEST LETTERSIntroduction All requests should: • Be specific and brief. • Be reasonable. • Provide complete, accurate information.

7. REQUEST LETTERSInquiries An inquiry must: • Be easy to answer. • Offer the reader no immediate reward or advantage. • Urge our reader to answer even if he or she is too busy. • Include the specific information that we

8. REQUEST LETTERSInquiries REQUEST LETTERSInquiries need as well as the specific action we would like our reader to take.

9. REQUEST LETTERSA Request Sample Dear Sir or Madam: Please send us information about your office copiers so that we will know whether one would be suited to our type of business. Yours truly,

10. REQUEST LETTERSA Request Sample An inquiry should include specific questions worded to obtain specific facts as answers. The manufacturer in our example may make many models of copiers, so the inquiry must clearly identify the type our company would consider. The revised letter makes it easier for our reader to respond. It gives a clear picture

11. REQUEST LETTERSInquiries of what we are looking for; therefore, the receiver can determine which of the company's products might interest us. Also, by mentioning the REASON for our inquiry, we motivate the receiver to respond. (The purchase we are planning is a potential sale for RBM.) Finally, by letting the receiver know WHEN we intend to

12. REQUEST LETTERSInquiries buy, you encourage the receiver to reply promptly. When a request does NOTinvolve a future sale, we should make our letter even more convenient for our reader by: 1. Listing the specific facts we want. 2. Enclosing a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

13. REQUEST LETTERSInquiries 3. Suggesting a way in which we can reciprocate. Dear Mr. Greenbaum:   I am taking a course in Principles of Advertising at Smithville Community College in Smithville, Ohio, and am doing my term project on the ways in which

14. REQUEST LETTERSInquiries American automobile manufacturers have been competing in the small-car market. I would therefore greatly appreciate your sending me the following specifications on the new RX-7: 1. Fuel economy statistics. 2. Technological advances (such as steering system, brake system, and engine

15. REQUEST LETTERSInquiries capacity). 3. Available options. I would also find it very helpful if you told me in which magazine (or other mass media) you began your advertising campaign. • I am certain my classmates will find this

16. REQUEST LETTERSInquiries information extremely interesting. I will be sure to send you a copy of my report as soon as it is complete. Respectfully yours,

17. REQUEST LETTERSOrders REQUEST LETTERS Many companies use special forms for ordering merchandise or service, called: • a purchase order (if they are their own) • an order form (if it is provided by the seller) These forms have blank spaces for the necessary information.

18. REQUEST LETTERSOrders REQUEST LETTERS Every order should include: • the name of the item being ordered • the item's number (catalog number, style number, model number, and so on) • quantity desired (often in large units such as dozens, cases, reams) • description (such as size, weight, color, material, finish, extra features)

19. REQUEST LETTERSOrders unit price applicable discounts applicable sales tax total price method of payment (such as charge account, including the account number, c.o.d., check)

20. REQUEST LETTERSOrders desired delivery date method of shipment (such as parcel post or air express) delivery address (which may vary from the billing address) authorized signature order source (such as the title and issue

21. REQUEST LETTERSOrders date) if the order is in response to an advertisement of a magazine or newspaper).