Requesting payment by documents against acceptance (D/A)

Lion Cutlers pic 44 Don caster Road Sheffield Yorkshire UK Dear Sirs, We are a chain of department stores in Manhattan and have recently decided to stock a range of silver cutlery. We believe that there is a possibility of reasonable sales but we cannot count on this. Prices for the range will be considerably higher than for our present lines and, in the circumstances, we do not feel able to make purchases on our own account. We would like to ask, therefore, whether you would be willing to send us a trial delivery for sale on D/A terms. We would hope to place firm orders once the demand for this cutlery has been ascertained. We believe our proposal is a logical way to test the market and hope that you will be willing to cooperate with us. As to our financial standing, you can check this with our bankers, the Manhattan Bank, New York. Yours faithfully,		Useful phrases Line 3 We believe that there is a possibility of reasonable sales but we cannot count on this. Line 4 Prices for the range will be considerably higher than for our present lines. Line 5 We do not feel able to make purchases on our own account. Line 9 We believe our proposal is a logical way to test the market and hope that you will be willing to cooperate with us. Line 11 As to our financial standing, you can check this with our bankers. Notes Para. 1 Introduce yourself and state the subject of the inquiry. Para. 2 Give the background to the inquiry. Para. 3 Make the request and hold out the prospect of larger orders. Para. 4 Urge acceptance of the proposal. Para. 5 Support the letter with the offer of bank references.
Comments The letter is asking for a considerable concession, backed up by fairly persuasive arguments. The retailer wants to test the market without undertaking any financial risk.	Alternative phrases Line 1 We are the owners of. . . Line 3 We hope to have reasonable sales, but we cannot be sure of this. Line 5 ... we do not feel that we can place a firm order. Line 6 Would you be willing to send us ... ? Line 7 ... once we ascertain the demand for this cutlery. Line 9 We believe that this is the best way to test the market. . . Line 11 Regarding our financial standing . . .