Practice

1. The sentences below are part of a company’s response to a letter of complaint. Complete each sentence with a verb from the box.

1. Thank you for letting  us know about the problems you had with the delivery. 
2. We apologise for the difficulties you have experienced
3. We need to discuss how we can improve our service in the future. 
4. I expect to receive a report from dispatch department tomorrow. 
5. As requested, we have sent a new consignment, which should be delivered to you within 10 days. 
6. Please return the faulty goods to us and we will refund the delivery cost. 
7. Once again, we apologise for any inconvenience caused.  

2. Choose the best alternative.

1.      We still have not received / taken the order. 
2.      Could you quote/ forward the original document to our department? 
3.      You said/ assured us that the schedule was guaranteed. 
4.      Please accept/h ave our apologies. 
5.      Your order will be damaged/ dispatched on Monday of next week. 
6.      I am sorry that we can not find/ mee t the schedule. 
7.      We were very dissatisfied / unsatisfied with the level of your service.    

 3. Complete the sentences with a preposition 

1.      I am writing to complain about the last two orders you sent us. 
2.      We are trying to keep upwith the schedule. 
3.      Unfortunately, the goods did not arrive ontime. 
4.      Please let me know if you have any problems with this. 
5.      Please accept our sincere apologies for the error in your November bill.
6.      We are still waiting for the delivery to arrive. 
7.      We apologise forthe misunderstanding. 
8.      I am sorry that we cannot give you a refund on this occasion.  
9.      The cases should arrive at3 p.m. of Friday at the latest. 
10.   We are arranging for the express delivery of your order. 

 4. Read this letter about unacceptable service. Then look at the reply letter. The sentences are in the wrong order. Put the sentences in the correct order. 

Correct order:  e c a b d

 5. Read this reply to a complaint and answer questions below.

Dear Ms Ono   

With reference to your complaint re order no. 376, our quality control staff have tested all the goods you sent back to us. I regret that we cannot accept the return as faulty goods since they meet all our quality standards. However, as a goodwill gesture, we will accept them as unwanted goods and will issue a credit note. I trust this meets with your approval.  

Yours sincerely  
Sergio da Silva 
Customer manager.   

1. What does the customer manager express? - Sincere apologies/ polite rejection .  
2. A friendly and helpful action for maintaining business relationships – a goodwill gesture / an approval. 
3. The document that informs the customer of the money owed for the faulty good – reference to a complaint/ credit note.  
4. What phrase from the letter has the same meaning as I trust this is satisfactory?  I trust this meets with your approval / they meet all our quality standards.  

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