Complaining about a delay in shipment

Lesage et cie 88 Avenue Galles Lyon France Dear Sirs, We refer to our order of 5 November 1996 for 500 tons of zinc sheets. The agreed delivery date has now passed. Would you please inform us when we can expect shipment of the goods. I must stress that we are facing considerable problems since the consignment is urgently required to satisfy orders from our customers. It is imperative that you inform us of the earliest possible shipment date. Should you fail to meet your contractual obligations, we shall be compelled to cancel the order and seek alternative suppliers. Please look into this matter immediately and telex your response as soon as possible. Yours faithfully,		Useful phrases Line 2 Would you please inform us when we can expect shipment of the goods. Line 4 I must stress that we are facing considerable problems since the consignment is urgently required to satisfy orders from our customers. Line 7 Should you fail to meet your contractual obligations, we shall be compelled to cancel the order and seek alternative suppliers. Notes Para. 1 Identify the reference. Para. 2 Make the complaint and ask for clarification. Para. 3 State why immediate action is required. Para. 4 State what action you will take if the supplier does not comply with your request. Para. 5 Ask the supplier to reply at once.
Comments The supplier has-failed to meet the delivery date. The letter registers a complaint. It clearly states that the order will be cancelled if the supplier fails to come up with a satisfactory explanation, followed by prompt action to fulfill the order.	Alternative phrases Line 2  …when you expect to deliver the consignment. Line 4  The late delivery is causing us a great deal of trouble because we urgently need the goods to meet orders. Line 5   It is vital that... Line 7  If you do not meet... we shall have to cancel the order and look for other suppliers. Line 9  Please deal with this matter . . .