Do the preparation task first. Then listen to the audio and do the exercises.
Preparation
Transcript
Junko: Hello, Junko Mori speaking. How can I help you?
Andrea: Hi, Junko, it's Andrea here from Red Band. I'm calling about our latest order.
Junko: Everything arrived OK, right? We got the delivery confirmation at our end.
Andrea: Yes, everything's fine with the order. I'm calling about the invoice and the payment terms. I need a favour.
Junko: A favour? What do you need?
Andrea: This is a little, er ... difficult, but I need an extension on the payment terms. I know they're usually 30 days, but we're having some cash flow problems. You'd really be helping us out if you could extend it to 60 days.
Junko: I'm not sure if I can do that, Andrea. We've got regulations at our end, and also have to manage our own cash flow.
Andrea: I promise this won't become the norm, Junko. Actually, I also want to place another new order. The same size order as last time. It's for an important customer and they pay on delivery.
Junko: I see. So your cash flow problem will be solved after this new order is delivered.
Andrea: Exactly.
Junko: That sounds good. Hold on, Andrea. Let me see what I can do. Yes, I think we can make an exception this time.
Andrea: That's great, Junko. I appreciate your help.
Junko: And we appreciate your business, Andrea. It works both ways.
Andrea: Thanks again, Junko. Can you send me a quick email confirmation of the payment terms extension?
Junko: Sure, no problem. We're happy to help you.
Andrea: Great. And I'll email you the new order.
Junko: Thanks. I'll keep an eye out for it. Talk to you soon.
Andrea: You too. Goodbye.
I think suppliers should help their customers.
I don't have my own business yet and in my work place I don't talk with clients. But sometime when I went to buy something the sellers make me favours because I am a faithful client when I start with you and saw that your service is good I stay with you.
I usually do favors not for a client but for my parents.
Last week I let my sister stay at home because she needs to work next day in the morning.
When I worked at a dental clinic as a recepcionist, my boss did favors for some clients, given the price of the treatment.
I have a small business selling wine ,I don't give old customers or new customers favours ,but I do favours to old customers who have a good criedit standing if they have unusually requirments.
I haven't had a business or helped clients yet!!
During my time working at a drugstore, I remember that it was not uncommon to make exceptions for certain customers. For example, if someone frequently purchased a particular item, we were more tolerant in dispensing it even without a prescription. However, I personally never agreed with this practice, even if we had the customer's information and knew it was a medication they regularly took. The manager would often justify these exceptions by saying "We know this person, it's just a favour," but many times the customer never came back with the prescription. So, in my opinion, make exceptions or not depending on the situation.
This Website is really helpful and the best part! Is free! In addition to this, the website is well organized in levels and content... Useful!!
I don't have my own business and I never tried to ask for a favor.
Im new in this webite, glad to learn english from the best website ive ever tried