Letters - Asking for Information

Guida di Inglese Commerciale – Requesting information

This is an example of a letter that you could send to another company when you want to ask for information about products, prices or services. It is important when you write this type of letter to be brief and precise. Underneath the sample letter below, you will find a simple writing guide and a selection of phrases and expressions which you may find helpful.

Milanese Electronics
Via Varese 202
Milano 20002
Italy

Tel (+39) 3333 555777

Mr R. Harris
Export Manager
RSM Games

Dear Mr Harris,

Information Request – RSM Games

I visited your stand and saw a demonstration of your new ‘E-Mania Games‘ during the recent Electronics Exhibition in Berlin. Your stand was very busy with other customers and so, unfortunately, I was unable to speak to one of your representatives. In my role of Senior Buyer for Electrica Srl, one of Italy’s largest retail vendors of electronic games and consoles, I am always looking for new products for our customers. I was impressed by what I saw and am interested to see if your products match our requirements.

I would therefore be very grateful if you would send me your full product catalogue, including details of your new product range, details of your supply terms and of course your distribution price list. If you require a signed confidentiality agreement before providing this information, you may email a copy to mrossi@e-lectricasrl.it or fax it to +39 3333 555999.

I look forward to receiving your reply and hope that we can do business together. Please do not hesitate to contact me personally should you require further information.

Yours sincerely,

Mario Rossi

Senior Buyer
Electrica Srl, Italy

Writing Business Letters

Introduction

After the initial greeting, (see ‘www.insegnanti-inglese.it/lettera/’) it is usual to provide a simple explanation for your letter. The explanation only needs to say what caused you to write, but can also include basic information about you and your company. You can also explain why you are interested in the product / service.

Examples:

• ‘I am writing to ask for details of your (products / services)…’   Vi prego dl inviarmi informazioni dettagliate in merito….
• ‘I recently visited your stand at the Electronics Exhibition in Berlin and am very interested in (your products / services)..’
• ‘I recently read an article in (magazine, etc) about (your products) and am writing to request further information..’
• ‘We are interested in your ( new product range…/ name of service)..’  Siamo interessati a….
• ‘We are looking for potential suppliers of (products)’ Siamo alla ricerca di potenziali fornitori….

It is always a good idea to include a little information about your company in the introduction, but you should keep the explanation brief!

Examples:

• ‘I am the Product Manager of E-lectronica Srl, one of Italy’s leading vendors of electonic games consoles….’
• ‘I represent E-lectronica Srl, a small company specialising in digital media….’
• ‘I am the Office Manager of Studio Furbo, a law firm in Milano, Lombardia….’
• ‘As one of Italy’s largest vendors of electronic games consoles, we are constantly looking for new and innovative products to offer our customers….’

Requesting Information

After you have introduced yourself, ask for the information you need. It is usually better to use formal language when asking for information, and to avoid using imperative forms (don’t give orders!). As always, it is important to be very precise when asking for information, to avoid misunderstandings.

Note: Prima di iniziare, ricorda che, in inglese, “Informazione”, “informazioni” e “Consigli” sono sempre singolare! Non scrivere frasi o frasi in maiuscolo. E ‘considerato maleducato dalla maggioranza delle persone!

Here are some simple phrases which you can use when you want to ask for information:

• ‘I would be very grateful if you would/could send us information on…(products/services)’
   Sarei molto grato se volesse inviare informazioni sui vostri prodotti….
• ‘We would be grateful if you….’
   Le/vi saremmo grati se….
• ‘Could you please send us details of….?’
   Potrebbe/potreste per favore inviarci i dettagli di ….
• ‘We would like…’
   Saremmo lieti di….
• ‘Could you tell me if….?’
   Potrebbe/Potreste dirmi se….?
• ‘I would like to ask/know if /whether….’
   Desidererei sapere se….
• ‘I would be interested to know whether ….. or…..’
   Mi interesserebbe sapere se….. oppure…..
• ‘I would also like…. ‘
   Inoltre vorrei…..
• ‘…together with….’
   …insieme a…
• ‘…in addition to…’
   …oltre a…
• ‘Furthermore, I would like….’
   Oltre a cio desidererei….
• ‘I wanted to enquire whether your company could….’
   …Mi piacerebbe sapere se la sua/vostra azienda e in grado di….?
• ‘Would it be possible for your company to….?’
   La sua/vostra azienda potrebbe inoltre….?

Vocabulary

• a catalogue……………………………………..un catalogo
• a leaflet………………………………………….un depliant
• a quote / quotation / an estimate………….un preventivo
• including illustrations/images/photos………..con foto
• samples ………………………………………….campioni
• with an indication of prices……………………con il listino prezzi

Conclusion

When you write a letter asking for information, it is always a good idea to demonstrate your interest and encourage a quick reply. It is also a good idea to explain how the person you are writing to should contact you.

Examples:

• ‘I / We look forward to receiving your  (reply / response / catalogue /..etc)’
  Restiamo in attesa di ricevere…..
• ‘I / We look forward to an early reply…..’
   Restiamo in attesa di un suo/vostro gentile cenno dl riscontro….
• ‘Please send your reply to….(indirizzio / nome, etc)’
   Si prega dl inviare la risposta a….
• ‘Please get in touch with….’
   Si prega di mettersi in contatto con….
• ‘Thank you in advance for your assistance….’
• ‘Please do not hesitate to contact us….’
   Non esiti/esitate a contattarci….
• ‘If you wish to contact me, I can be reached on (telephone number) between (time) and (time)…’
• ‘If you wish to contact me, I can be reached on (telephone number) at any time…’  (sempre)
• ‘If you have any questions, please email me at (email address)…‘