or rejecting a quotation. 2.Contents: 1)An offer of goods is usually made either by way of advertisements, circulars and letters or in reply to enquiries.This is the first step in business negotiation. 2)In response to an enquiry,quotations may be sent.A satisfactory quotation will include the following: a.An expression of thanks for the enquiry; b.Details of prices,discounts and terms of payment; c.A statement or clear indication of what the prices cover (e.g. freight and insurance,etc): d.An undertaking as to date of delivery or time of shipment; e.The period for which the quotation is valid. 3)A firm offer is a promise to sell goods at a stated price,usually within a stated period of time.It must be clear,definite,complete and final.In making a firm offer,mention should be made of the time of shipment and the mode of payment desired:in addition,an exact description of the goods should be give and,if possible,pattern or sample sent 4)Complaints that prices are too high are usually met by references to the cost of raw materials,labor or transport,to the quality of the materials or the workmanship and sometimes to the rarity of the articles in question (antiques,etc.).A reference to your profit margin may also be sometimes required. 5)Prices may have to be raised because: A.the cost of raw materials has risen or B.the cost of moving the raw materials to the manufacturer has risen or C.the cost of production has risen (because of increase in rent, wages,energy charges,etc.)or D.the cost of moving the finished goods to the customer has risen (if the price quoted is not ex-works). 6)When a buyer rejects a quotation or other offer,he should write and thank the seller for his trouble and explain the reason for rejection. Not to do so would show a lack of courtesy.The letter of rejection 8 8 or rejecting a quotation. 2. Contents: 1) An offer of goods is usually made either by way of advertisements, circulars and letters or in reply to enquiries. This is the first step in business negotiation. 2) In response to an enquiry, quotations may be sent. A satisfactory quotation will include the following: a. An expression of thanks for the enquiry; b. Details of prices, discounts and terms of payment; c. A statement or clear indication of what the prices cover (e. g. freight and insurance, etc); d. An undertaking as to date of delivery or time of shipment; e. The period for which the quotation is valid. 3) A firm offer is a promise to sell goods at a stated price, usually within a stated period of time. It must be clear, definite, complete and final. In making a firm offer, mention should be made of the time of shipment and the mode of payment desired; in addition, an exact description of the goods should be give and, if possible, pattern or sample sent. 4) Complaints that prices are too high are usually met by references to the cost of raw materials, labor or transport, to the quality of the materials or the workmanship and sometimes to the rarity of the articles in question (antiques, etc.). A reference to your profit margin may also be sometimes required. 5) Prices may have to be raised because: A. the cost of raw materials has risen or B. the cost of moving the raw materials to the manufacturer has risen or C. the cost of production has risen (because of increase in rent, wages, energy charges, etc.) or D. the cost of moving the finished goods to the customer has risen (if the price quoted is not ex-works). 6) When a buyer rejects a quotation or other offer, he should write and thank the seller for his trouble and explain the reason for rejection. Not to do so would show a lack of courtesy. The letter of rejection