2. Purpose of Business Writing
• Business letters are written for the fulfillment of several purposes.
• (1)To inform
• (ii)To enquire
• (iii) To order
• (iv) To request
• (v) To collect dues
• (vi) To complain
• (vii) To make an adjustment or settle a claim
• (viii) To sell a product, service or scheme
• (ix) To apply for a job
• (x) To win contract
• (xi) To express gratitude
• (xii)To congratulate
3. Formats of Business Letters
• FULL BLOCK FORMAT
• Modified Block Layout
• Semi Block Layout
• Simplified layout
4. FULL BLOCK FORMAT
• Most common format in use today,
• It is the easiest to remember and it is well suited to the way a word
processor works.
• Every line begins at the left margin, the return address,
complimentary closing, signature, and even the first line of each
paragraph.
• Paragraphs are separated by a double space.
5. 123 Centre Street
Yorkton, NS B4T 1Y9
February 21, 2005
John Clancy
Personnel Manager
Greenbay Publishers Inc.
99 Hollingshead Road
Fredericton, NB
Dear Mr. Clancy
We are pleased to _______________________________your account.
In addition,________________________________________the work.
It would be our pleasure________________________contact us.
Yours truly
Shirley Paterson
Shirley Paterson
Director of Research
6. Modified Block Layout
• Differs from full block in the positioning of certain elements like the
heading, dateline, complimentary close, signature block are right
aligned.
7. 123 Centre Street
Yorkton, NS B4T 1Y9
February 21, 2005
John Clancy
Personnel Manager
Greenbay Publishers Inc.
99 Hollingshead Road
Fredericton, NB
Dear Mr. Clancy
We are pleased to _______________________________your account.
In addition,________________________________________the work.
It would be our pleasure________________________contact us.
Yours truly
Shirley Paterson
Shirley Paterson
Director of Research
8. Semi Block Layout
• Resembles modified block style except that the first line of each
paragraph is indented.
9. 123 Centre Street
Yorkton, NS B4T 1Y9
February 21, 2005
John Clancy
Personnel Manager
Greenbay Publishers Inc.
99 Hollingshead Road
Fredericton, NB
Dear Mr. Clancy
We are pleased to ____________________________________________________________
your account.
In addition,_______________________________________________________________the work.
It would be our pleasure ________________________contact us.
Yours truly
Shirley Paterson
Shirley Paterson
Director of Research
10. Simplified Layout
• Omits salutation
• Often includes a subject line in capital letters.
• Omits complimentary close.
• Convenient when the recipient is not known to you.
• Objections are raised on impersonal appproach.
11. 123 Centre Street
Yorkton, NS B4T 1Y9
February 21, 2005
John Clancy
Personnel Manager
Greenbay Publishers Inc.
99 Hollingshead Road
Fredericton, NB
BALANCE PAYMENT ALREADY MADE
We are pleased to _______________________________your account.
In addition,________________________________________the work.
It would be our pleasure________________________contact us.
Shirley Paterson
Shirley Paterson
Director of Research
12. Writing routine letters
• Letters that please the receiver are called good- news letters.
• Those letters that neither please , nor displease are called routine
letters.
• Sequence of presentation of ideas in routine letters
Major ideas
Details or
explanations
Closing
thoughts
13. Business Enquiry Letter
Sometimes prospective buyers want to know the details of the goods which
they want to buy, like quality, quantity, price, mode of delivery and
payment, etc. They may also ask for a sample. The letter written to sellers
with one or more of the above purposes is known as enquiry letter.
• Could be of two types – Solicited Inquiry and Unsolicited Inquiry.
• Solicited inquiry means an inquiry made in response to the advertisement
of the seller.
• Unsolicited inquiry means an inquiry made by the buyer at his own
initiative enquiring about the product or service that he wants to purchase.
14. • Most examples of this letter type contain three short paragraphs.
• The first paragraph specifies the SUBJECT of the inquiry and indicates WHY the
inquiry is being made.
• The middle paragraph lists the specific items or questions that the letter writer
wants or wants answered; usually the items or questions are presented in
bulleted list form.
• The last paragraph tactfully indicates a deadline by which the items being
requested or the answers to questions need to be supplied.
15. M/s Acron Electricals
22/c, Main Road.
Darya Ganj, New Delhi-2
July 27,2019
Ref. PR/F/2002/27
M/s Bharat Fans
Bharat Complex
Hyderabad – 500032
Dear Sir:
Subject: Enquiry about the prices of fans
We are dealing in retail trade of electrical appliances. We would be interested in selling your product,
Bharat Fans through our retail showroom.
Could you, therefore, send us your quotations and let us know the terms and conditions of payment.
We would appreciate an early response for a fruitful business association.
Yours sincerely,
(A.B.Kumar)
For M/s Acron Electricals
16. Quotation Letter
• A letter sent in reply to an enquiry.
• After receiving the letter of enquiry from a prospective buyer, the
sellers supply the relevant Information by writing a letter that is
called quotation letter.
• These letters are written keeping in view the information asked for like price list,
mode of payment, discount to be allowed etc.
• Businessman should reply to the inquiries carefully and promptly.
• Be prompt in sending all the required information.
• Must give point-by-point detailed information.
• As the enquiry letter is sent to a number of organizations, a quotation letter is
judged by its quality, price, promptness in reply, additional advantages, etc.
17. M/s Bharat Fans
Bharat Complex
Hyderabad – 500032
Dated: August 10,2019
Ref.-SL/F/2002/12
M/s Acron Electricals
22/c, Main Road
Darya Ganj, New Delhi-2
Subject: Your letter No. PR/F/2002/27 dated July 27, 2002
Dear Sir:
Thank you for your letter of enquiry. We would be glad to meet your requirements of selling our
fan in your retail showroom.
Our quotations are given in the price list enclosed. We offer 10% discount on order above Rs.
50,000. Besides, we allow a grace period of 45 days for payment of dues to our regular customers.
We are confident that you will find our prices competitive and our terms and conditions
reasonable. We look forward to meeting your requirements.
Yours sincerely,
Signature
(Des Gupta)
Sales Manager
For M/s Bharat Fans
Encl: Price List & Terms and Conditions
18. Order Letter
• The prospective buyer after receiving the reply to his enquiry letter may
decide to place on order with that business house which offers goods at
minimum price and at favorable terms and conditions.
• Letters written by a buyer to the seller giving the order to purchase the
goods is called order letter.
• Request for dispatch and delivery of goods or services.
• Should include particulars with regard to the quantity, size and other
specifications.
19. M/s Acron Electricals
Darya Ganj, New Delhi-2
August 22,2019
Ref. PR/F/2002/32
M/s Bharat Fans
Bharat Complex
Hyderabad – 500032
Subject: Your letter of quotation No. SL/F/2002/12 dated August 10,2019
Dear Sir:
Many thanks for your prompt reply to our enquiry letter of July 27, 2002. As we find your prices and
terms quite reasonable, we wish to place a trial order as per the list enclosed.
As pointed out in our enquiry letter, quality is important. Should the goods meet our
expectations,substantial orders will follow.
Payment will be made within the time limit prescribed in your quotation letter.
Yours sincerely,
(A.B.Kumar)
For M/s Acron Electrical
Encl: Order List Partner
20. ABC Computers
Computer Market, Ghaziabad
3 November 2015
Mr. Vijay Jindal
Sales Manager
Dell Computers
Noida
Sub: Order for printers
Dear Sir:
Please enter our order no. 2145 for the following:
We shall appreciate your shipping these goods so that they will reach us not later than
December 01,2015.
Yours Sincerely,
M. Krishna
Purchase Manager
ABC Computers
S.no Product type Quantity
1 Deskjet Printers 35
21. Claim Letter
• Are written to bring mistakes to the notice of those who must own
the responsibility for them.
• Motive of these letters is not to express your anger but to correct
the mistake either by repair or replacement.
• Claims must be supported with sales receipts, letters, catalogue
descriptions or invoices.
22. Guidelines for claim Letters
• Provide a reference point (consignment no., invoice no., date, etc)
• Explain the problem clearly giving data where necessary.
• Explain briefly the difficulty you are facing.
• Appeal to the supplier’s sense of fair play and its reputation.
• Specify clearly what adjustments you want to consider.
• Address the letter to a senior officer of the organization.
23. EXAMPLE OF A ‘LETTER OF CLAIM / COMPLAINT’
XYZ
H. No. – 71,
Rajiv Enclave
P.O. – Mohan Nagar
Distt. – Ghaziabad (U.P.)
Mob. – 9015037121
09 November, 2009
Manager
M/S Hotspot Retails Pvt. Ltd.
Ghaziabad (U.P.)
Sir,
Subject: REGARDING MALFUNCTIONING OF THE NEW MOBILE SET
24. I purchased a CDMA Mobile set on 23 August 2009, from Reliance Web World Express, Meeting Palace WWE-209, B-4, Shani
Tower, Sahibabad, Ghaziabad.
In the new set I observed following malfunctions:
(i) Very Poor sound quality, in that the Sound is not clear most of the times, it is
bursting; to some extent it becomes little clear when heard in the speaker.
(ii) Some numbers do not get connected even after trying many times, appears to be engaged,
but when dialed from other mobile sets they get connected within first attempt.
(iii) Sometimes immediately after dialing a subscriber, the conversation of other is heard, and
the actual number does not get connected. The call is now required to be disconnected and
tried again.
An early and suitable action at your end will go a long way in restoring my faith in Spice Communications Ltd. which is very low at
present.
Yours truly,
XYZ
Enc: Bill Receipt.
25. Adjustment Letter
• Written in reply to claim letters.
• Objective is to satisfy your customer and safeguard the
reputation of your organization.
• Help in restoring the confidence of the customer in an
organization.
26. Guidelines for adjustment letter
• Begin with a good attitude statement : thank the customer for bringing the mistake to your
notice.
• Convey good-news first, the adjustment you are offering or the action you are taking.
• Apologize for the problem : do not use overly dramatic tone.
• Explain why things went wrong, if situation warrant.
• Be careful while explaining the claimant’s role, if any, in creating the problem.
• Give additional information for the same product or send new sales material about any other
product of yours in which the customer might feel interested.
• Remind the customer how you are honoring the claim.
• Clarify any action that your customer must take.
• Address your letter to the claimant by name.
27.
28. FULFILLING ORDERS
An order must be promptly acknowledged in either of the following
ways
By writing a special letter of acknowledgement
the acknowledgement of an order has the following aims
building up goodwill by expressing gratitude for the customer’s
interest in the seller
legal acceptance of all the points mentioned in the order
reference to the date of receipt of the order
statement of when the order will be fulfilled and when it will be
delivered
Statement of desire to be further service to the customer
29. UNIQUE BIOTIQUE PRODUCTS
16,ANDHERI(WEST) MUMBAI
Date---------
NO.---------
Thank you for your order letter no …..…….dated……….…
the goods ordered by you will be dispatched within……...
We appreciate your cooperation
for GEN MANAGER
(SALES)
30. UNIQUE BIOTIQUE PRODUCTS
16,Andheri (west) Mumbai
Date-29 /11/2010
Himalaya stores
16,inner circle
Connaught place
New Delhi
Dear Sir
Thank you very much for you order letter no…NOV 2010.
We are arranging to send the goods ordered by you within fifteen days by Passenger train
We are sure you will be well satisfied with the goods at this price they represent the best
value for your money. Beside these, we manufacture and supply a vast range of herbal and
natural health –care items .
We are enclosing herewith our latest catalogue for,we are sure you will certainly be
interested in ordering a large quantity of them .
We look forward to a mutually satisfactory and cordial working relationship.
Yours Sincerely
Satyam
31. UNIQUE BIOTIQUE PRODUCTS
16,Andheri (west)Mumbai
29 Nov 2020
Himalaya Stores
16,Inner Circle
Connaught Place
New Delhi
Dear Sir,
We are pleased to inform you that your order of 24 Nov 2020 has been promptly fulfilled.The
cosmetic items ordered by you have been dispatched and you should be getting them in about
ten days from today.
If you wish to have any further information please contact us. We shall be really happy to serve
you in whatever way we can.
Yours faithfully
Satyam
32. COMPLAINTS
LETTER
The complaint letter is much like the adjustment
letter. However it is written just to let the reader
know that an error as been found and needs to be
corrected as soon as possible. Once again, this
letter is a legal document letting the reader know
that something is being done to correct the
problem.
33. Guidelines for drafting complaints
1 Regret the need to complain in a calm and courteous style,
2 state clearly what has gone wrong with the fulfillment of the order,
3 Reference to the order/quotations, date of arrival of goods etc is
necessary,
4 Refer to the inconvenience/loss caused in terms of money, sales, goodwill,
etc.
• 5 State/suggest what steps can be taken to rectify the situation.
• 6 Close with expression of faith in the supplier’s honesty, and expectation of
prompt and favourable action.
34. Mr. Piyush Tiwari
SR & Co. Bhopal
M.P.
21 Nov 2010
Mr. Rakesh Sharma
Soni Publication,
Indore (M.P.)
Subject : Letter for Complaint
Dear Sir
We must first of all thank you for prompt delivery of the books we had ordered only last week on telephone. For the last so many years
of our contact we have been highly satisfied with your prompt and courteous service.
Today unfortunately, on opening the carton we found three sets of contemporary English’, part 1, 2 and 3 incomplete. The last chapter
of each of these books is missing. We are convinced it is not your fault. May be at some stage the books were not properly checked.
Anyway, we request you to kindly replace them immediately so that we could send them to the text-book section where they are
urgently needed.
Yours faithfully
Mr. Piyush Tiwari
SR & Co.
35. Guidelines fordrafting repliesto complaints
While planning a reply to a complaint, the supplier should :
• Promptly acknowledge the letter and thank the customer for writing it,
• Express regret for the inconvenience caused to the customer,
• Admit the fault if something has actually gone wrong,
• Assure the customer of his sincere efforts to make amends,
• Specially what action he is going to take, and
• Close with offer of better service in future.
36. Soni Publication,
Indore (M.P.)
Date 25 Nov 2020
SR & Co.
Bhopal (M.P.)
Subject : Letter for apologizing
Dear Sir,
Please accept our apologies for this lapse on our part, We always check all the books
before packing and dispatching them. It is really unfortunate that this time you received
three defective sets.
Today itself we are replacing them at our cost. We may also assure you that in future we
will be more careful in fulfilling your orders.
We are really sorry for the inconvenience caused to you.
Yours faithfully,
Shiv Kumar
Soni Publication
37. STATUS ENQUIRIES
INTRODUCTION-----
A Status enquiry by definition is “Checking on a customer’s
credit rating” and credit rating means “Amount which a
credit agency feels a customer should be allowed to borrow”.
In other words a status enquiry is a letter sent with the aim of
finding out a customer’s credit worthiness. It is needless to
say that a sizable amount of trading involves credit that is a
means by which good are bought and sold without cash
payment. The supplier usually has to extend credit facility to
the customers, thus enabling them to conduct business with
comparatively small capital.
38. Sources of Informationabout Credit Worthiness :
Information about a customer’s credit worthiness or credit
rating can be gathered from the following sources;
(a)The customer himself’ through interview and the financial
statement submitted by him;
(b)The customer’s past orders and the salesmen’s report about
him and
(c) External sources like the trade and bank references given by
the customer and information from trade associations,
chambers of commerce.
39. Date-18 Nov 2020
Rama Stores
16, Inner circle,
Connaught place,
New Delhi.
Dear Sir:
It is a pleasure to receive your order of 20th December. for cosmetics, items.
We shall gladly open an account for you furnish us with three trade’s references along with your bank
reference so that we could complete the formalities necessary to establish your firm’s credit.
Getting trade and bank references is a general policy matter and we request all our new customers to send us
this information before we open an account in their name.
Please write to us as soon as possible so that there is no delay in your shipment. We will supply your order as
soon as we get the necessary information.
Thank you
Yours faithfully
Credit manager
Unique Biotique Products
40. Reply to the above letter
Rama Stores,
16, inner circle,
Connaught Place
Date-20/11/2010
The credit manager,
Unique Biotique products
16, Andheri (west)
Mumbai.
Dear Sir,
Thank you for your kindness in agreeing to open our account in your books. As required by you, we are
giving below three references with whom we have had an open account for the past five years;
1. Jai Bhart Trading co.
Matunga, Mumbai.
2. Wadekar Bros (p) Ltd.
26, college Rode, Pune.
3. Shivaji Stores,
Fort Road, Panaji, Goa
Our bankers are syndicating Bank, bank road, new Delhi you require any additional information, please to
us. However, since we wish to add cosmetic items to our stocks for the festival season, please complete
your credit check as possible.
Yours Faithfully
41. Date-23 Nov 2020
Jai Bharat Trading co.
Matunga
Mumbai.
Dear Sir,
The firm named below wishes to open an account with us for Rs. 150000, 3 months and has given
your name as a credit reference;
Rama Stores,
16, inner circle
Connaught place, New Delhi.
Any information you may furnish us will be treated as strictly confidential. We look forward to an
early and assure you of our cooperation whenever needed. A stamped, addressed envelope with this
letter.
Yours faithfully,
Credit Manager.
Unique Biotique Products
16, Andheri (west)
Mumbai.
42. 25 Nov 2020
Unique boutique Products
16, Andheri (west)
Mumbai.
Dear Sir :
Ram stores of new Delhi, about whom you have sought credit information in your letter
of 23rd October, have been on our books for five years. Their record of payment during
this period has been very satisfactory. Their purchases average over Rs. 150,000 a
month in the peak season and about Rs.75, 000 per month during the other periods.
Mr.Shyam Ahuja, Managing partner of the firm, enjoys a high reputation in our area,
and we are happy to provide a reference for him, we would like to add that our
confidence in this has never been misplaced.
Yours Faithfully,
Jai Bharat Trading Co.
Matunga , Mumbai.
43. Collection Letter
Meaning - Collection letter is meant by the letter pertaining to the payment against the
goods bought in credit by the customer. The customer purchase goods on credit. The
render therefore, writes letter to them for collection of the payment against goods
bought on credit.
44. STAGE 1. ‘WILL PAY’:REMINDERS
Reminder 1
Dear Mr. jain:
This is just a friendly reminder that your account with us now
is two months past due. Perhaps you have overlooked it.
We genuinely appreciate your business look forward to
serving you better in future.
Sincerely,
Siya ram cloth mills.
45. Reminder 2.
Dear Sirs,
We check our accounts book and your account which has been due for more than two months. We send
you a reminder last week.
We know quite often such matters slip by. We are also confident that you don’t mind this friendly note.
We look forward to hearing from you soon after you receive this letter.
your faithfully,
Siya ram cloth mils.
46. STAGE 2. ‘SHOULD PAY’PERSUASIVE LETTER
Persuasive letter 1.
Dear Mr. jain
Looking into your records we find that your credit worthiness is really high what really worries us is
that even the fourth reminder of ours has not been replied. I hope everything is fine with you. Do let us
know by return whether there has been any lapse on our part. Are you not satisfied with our goods or
our services? Is there any thing that we can do to help you? In case there is any problem in settling the
account we can talk it out so that you feel comfortable with us.
You will always find us willing to accommodate you. With this promise we eagerly await your reply.
Sincerely
Siya ram cloth mils
47. STAGE 3. ‘MUST WAY’: LAST RESORT LETTER
Last resort letter
Dear M/r jain,
You have this last opportunity to set right your account by paying in full the out standing amount of Rs.
…….or at least in part with a definite promise of paying the balance as son as possible.
Your account has been kept open for quite a long period in order to help you arrange for settlement of
the above balance within 6 days.
We are sue you will avoid the unpleasant consequences of our resorting other measures to collect.
Your sincerely,
Siya ram cloth mils.
48. Sales letters or offers
Sales letters or offers are the most
important written form of business
communication. Their primary aim is
publicity or to reach out to a large
number of interested in a particular
product/service and turn into buyers.
They are unsolicited letters, mostly
written by professionals writers. They
are a work of imagination. Taking many
forms.
The effectiveness of such letter’s
depends on the writer’s ability to use
language suited to his purpose that is
above all to influence the recipient-his
thinking, his taste, his behavior. This is
the aim of persuasion. Sales letters are,
therefore persuasive or indirect
approach letters
49. Characteristics Of Sales Letter
Lengthy Discourse
Focus On A Particular Class
Specialized Information
Arresting Opening
Emotional Vs Rational Appeals
Highly Conversational Style
You Attitude
Urging Action
Highlighting Importance/Exciting Parts Of The Message
50. A offer of exiting breakthrough in cosmetic eye care.
April 1 , 2020
Mr. Tarun Sinha
Pocket C flat no 38B
Siddharth Extension
New Delhi 110014
Cleaning disinfecting and Deproteinising
Just one solution for all your needs !
Dear Mr. Sinha
Bausch & Lomb introduces yet another international breakthrough in contact lens care. Yes
RENU MULTIPLUS the world’s first and only multipurpose lens care solution that cleans ,
disinfects and deproteins –all in one go – is now available in India.
And the best news is that you are also entitled to a Special introductory offer- a discount of
Rs .30 on a 360 ml bottle of RENU MULTIPLUS solution. All you have to do is visit any
eye care practitioner or chemist in your locality pick up a bottle for your self an safe rs 30.
The enclosed broacher explains the over whelming advantages of new RENU
MULTIPLUS.
Your Sincerely
JP Singh
Vice President vision care business