Chiedere informazioni - Asking for Information
Guida di Inglese Commerciale
Comunicare in modo efficace ed efficiente è importante nel mondo degli affari, qualunque lingua si parli, in particolare nelle comunicazioni scritte. Man mano che il vostro vocabolario e precisione grammaticale migliorano sarete capaci di comunicare meglio, ma nel frattempo questa guida vi aiuterà a evitare alcuni degli errori che spesso i non madrelingua fanno.
La nostra guida all'inglese commerciale include delle strutture e frasi semplici che vengono usate nel mondo degli affari ogni giorno, per iscritto o per telefono. Questa guida è nuova e sarà ampliata progressivamente nei prossimi mesi. Se c'è un'area in particolare sull'inglese commerciale sulla quale vorreste che noi realizzassimo una guida vi preghiamo di farcelo sapere, spediteci un'email con le vostre richieste!
Sample request for information
Mr P Thomas
Export Manager
BTW Distribution
Dear Mr Thomas,
Information Request - E-Mania Games
I recently visited your stand at the Milano Expo, where I saw a demonstration of your 'E-Mania Games'. Unfortunately, there were a lot of people on your stand, so I was unable to speak to one of your representatives. As one of Italy's largest distributors of electronic games and consoles, we are constantly seeking new products for our customers we are interested to see if your products match our requirements.
I would therefore be most grateful if you could send me a full product catalogue, details of your supply terms and of course retail and distribution pricing. If you require a signed confidentiality agreement before providing this information, you may email a copy to pt@electricadistribution.it or fax it to +39 0005 5555024.
I look forward to receiving your response and hope that we can do business together. In any event, please do not hesitate to contact me should you require further information.
Yours sincerely,
Paolo Maldini
Business Development Manager
Electrica Srl, Italy
The letter above is an example of the type of letter you could send if you want to ask another company for information about products, prices or services. When you write this type of letter it is a good idea to be brief and precise. The information on this page contains a simple guide to writing this type of letter and contains a number of phrases and expressions which you may find helpful.
Introduction
After the initial greeting, (see the page 'writing letters') 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 Milan Expo, 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.../ your (name of service)..'
Siamo interessati a....'We are looking for potential suppliers of (products)'
Siamo alla ricerca di potenziali fornitori....
It is generally a good idea to include information about you, or your company, in the introduction. However, it is a good idea to keep the explanation brief!
Examples:
'I am the Sales Manager of Italia-Import Srl, one of Italy's leading distributors of electonic games....'
'I represent Bovisa Media Srl, a small company specialising in digital media....'
'I am the Office Manager of Studio Nero, a legal firm in Lombardia....'
'As Italy's leading supplier of electronic games, we are constantly looking for new and innovative products for our customers....'
Requesting Information
After your introduction, ask for the information you require. Even if it seems very formal, it is important to use polite language when asking for information, and never an imperative form (never give an instruction). Obviously, it is also important to be very precise when asking for information!
Note: Prima di iniziare, ricorda che, in inglese, "Informazione", "informazioni" e "Consigli" sono sempre singolare!
Here are some example phrases which you can use when asking 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)...'