禮節(jié)美語(yǔ)lesson 117 Raising Prices 2
MicroMax公司銷售部主管Fred給客戶Tom打電話，討論漲價(jià)的事情。Fred要漲25%，Tom嫌太多。
F: I feel your pain, Tom. We are also in hot water these days. The global financial crisis is hitting all of us hard.
T: Is there anyway we could cut costs in other areas? Could we find a new shipping agent?
F: Yes, we could do that. But in the end it still comes down to protecting our bottom line.
對(duì)別人表示理解，可以說I feel your pain. 不過，F(xiàn)red話鋒一轉(zhuǎn)說，we are also in hot water. 我們?nèi)兆右膊缓眠^。In the end it still comes down to protecting our bottom line, 歸根結(jié)底我們還是要保證公司利潤(rùn)。 The bottom line, 意思是贏利。
T: Look, I understand that prices for everything are going up these days. It's a tough time to be in business. My company had to lay off over 100 employees last summer; but 25% is just too much.
F: You and I go a long way back, Tom. I'll do everything in my power to be flexible....how about 22%?
T: It's still too high. Our board of directors is already going to give me a hard time over this. Can you do better?
Tom同意漲價(jià)，但不肯接受25%. Fred跟Tom拉關(guān)系，you and I go a long way back. 咱倆可是老交情了，然后問Tom22%怎么樣。Tom還是嫌多，說董事會(huì)會(huì)give me a hard time, 繞不了我。
F: Tom, seeing as I've known you for over 10 years and because this price increase really came out of the blue, I think I can go down to 20%. But that's really the best I can do.
T: How about this: I'll pay 15% more for this shipment. Then for the next order we'll boost it up to 18%.
F: You certainly know how to drive a hard bargain. Ok....how about 18% for this one and a 21% increase for next time?
T: I think I can do that. Ok....Fred, you've got yourself a deal.
Fred降到20%，并表示，that's really the best I can do. 不能再低了，他肯這樣做，是因?yàn)閠he increase really came out of the blue, 這次漲價(jià)的要求確實(shí)很突然。Tom還是不肯點(diǎn)頭。Fred說，you certainly know how to drive a hard bargain, 意思是真會(huì)殺價(jià)。最后兩人同意這批貨漲18%，下批貨漲21%。 Tom說，F(xiàn)red, you've got yourself a deal, 意思是成交。成交后當(dāng)然還要寒暄一下。
F: I appreciate your understanding, Tom. And I'm sorry for the trouble this has caused you.
T: Ah, that's all right. I know it's not your fault. Prices for everything these days are insane.
F: Still, I appreciate your understanding. Let's get together for lunch next time you're in town.
T: Sure thing. And say hi to your lovely wife, Katrina.
F: Will do. Thanks again, Tom.
