Business English- Aka I/III

UNIT 2 PACK: Selling Products

VOCABULARY
Exercise 1: Match the words to their definitions.
Words: Definitions:
1. mail order a. the sale of goods in large quantities at lower prices, primarily intended
2. promise for resale by retailers rather than direct consumer purchase.
3. e-commerce b. a purchasing method where customers select items from a catalog and
4. item number receive them by postal delivery.
5. phone order c. the buying and selling of goods or services over the internet, allowing for
6. retailer transactions without physical presence.
7. shipping d. a unique identifier assigned to a specific product, used for inventory
8. direct sales management and tracking purposes.
9. wholesale e. a method of selling products directly to consumers, often through
personal interactions or demonstrations rather than traditional retail
stores.
f. a business or individual that sells goods directly to consumers, typically
in smaller quantities compared to wholesalers.
g. the act of transporting goods from one location to another, usually
involving packaging and delivery logistics.
h. a commitment made by one party to another, indicating an intention to
perform a certain action or fulfill a specific obligation.
i. a process in which customers place orders for products or services via
telephone communication with a seller.

Exercise 2: Choose the words to fill in the gaps.

Mail order, E-commerce, Direct sales, item number, Shipping, promise, retailer, Wholesale

1. _______________(1) help people buy products from a person instead of a store.

2. _______________(2) allows customers to shop online from the comfort of their homes.
3. Each product has an _______________(3) that helps us find it quickly.
4. _______________(4) is a way to buy things by sending forms through the mail.
5. A match phone order means calling a number to place your order directly.
6. The seller made a _______________(5) to deliver the products on time today.
7. A _______________(6) sells products directly to customers in a physical store.
8. _______________(7) costs can sometimes make buying products more expensive for
customers.
9. _______________(8) prices are cheaper because stores buy a lot of items at once.

READING SKILLS
Exercise 1: Read the text carefully and choose true or false accordingly.
Dear Mr. Thompson,
I am writing to discuss potential collaboration opportunities between our organizations in
direct sales and e-commerce. Our company, a leader in the retail sector for over a decade,
seeks to expand distribution channels with your assistance.
We are interested in wholesale and mail order arrangements. Access our item numbers and
product descriptions online for easy integration into your sales channels. We promise reliable
shipping procedures for customer satisfaction.
Our collaboration can extend to retailer partnerships. We offer marketing support,
promotional initiatives, and exclusive product lines.
For e-commerce focus, our tech team assists with API integrations for real-time inventory
management. This enhances customer experience and streamlines operations.
Through synergistic efforts, we aim for mutual success and market presence enhancement.
We look forward to discussing this further and working together.
Thank you for considering our proposal. We hope to schedule a detailed discussion soon.
Best regards,
Jane Williams
Director of Sales & Marketing

Choose True or False.

Statements TRUE FALSE

1. The author is proposing a collaboration in the field of direct sales and e-

commerce.
 2. The company has been a leader in the retail sector for over two decades.

3. The author suggests that the collaboration could include wholesale and mail
order arrangements.

4. The company guarantees that their shipping procedures will always be on

time.

5. The author mentions that their tech team can assist with API integrations
for real-time inventory management.

6. The collaboration aims to enhance mutual success and market presence.

7. The author is looking forward to scheduling a detailed discussion soon.

Exercise 2. Read the text and choose the correct answer for each question below.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Shopping
Online shopping has grown rapidly in recent years, becoming a common way to buy
everything from clothes to electronics. While it offers many benefits, there are also some
drawbacks to consider.
Advantages
One of the biggest advantages of online shopping is convenience. You can shop from the
comfort of your own home at any time of day or night. There’s no need to travel to physical
stores, which saves time and energy. This is especially helpful for people who have busy
schedules or live far from shopping centers.
Another advantage is the wide variety of products available online. In many cases, you can
find items that are not available in local stores. Additionally, online shopping makes it easy to
compare prices between different websites, helping you find the best deal. Many online
retailers offer discounts, promotions, or free shipping, making online shopping even more
affordable.
Home delivery is another benefit. When you shop online, your purchases are delivered to your
door, which is especially convenient for large or heavy items.
Disadvantages
However, there are also some disadvantages to online shopping. One major drawback is that
you cannot see or touch the products before buying them. This can lead to disappointment if
the item doesn’t meet your expectations in terms of size, quality, or appearance.
Another disadvantage is that shipping times can vary, and you may have to wait days or even
weeks for your purchase to arrive. This is inconvenient, especially if you need something
quickly. Additionally, there may be unexpected shipping costs or taxes that increase the total
price.
Lastly, online shopping can pose security risks. When you enter your credit card details
online, there’s a risk of fraud or identity theft if the website is not secure.
In conclusion, while online shopping offers many advantages, it’s important to be aware of
the potential downsides.

1. What is one of the main advantages of online shopping?

a) It is always cheaper than shopping in stores.
b) You can shop from home at any time.
c) You can see and touch the products before buying.
d) It takes less time for products to arrive.
Correct Answer: b) You can shop from home at any time.

[Link] benefits the most from the convenience of online shopping?

a) People who live near shopping centers.
b) People who don’t like using the internet.
c) People with busy schedules or who live far from stores.
d) People who prefer shopping in physical stores.
Correct Answer: c) People with busy schedules or who live far from stores.

[Link] makes it easier to find the best deal online?

a) Comparing prices between websites.
b) Visiting many different stores.
c) Talking to a sales assistant.
d) Seeing the product before buying.
Correct Answer: a) Comparing prices between websites.

[Link] of the following is NOT mentioned as an advantage of online shopping?

a) Convenience.
b) Variety of products.
c) Easier to return items.
d) Home delivery.
Correct Answer: c) Easier to return items.

5. Why can online shopping be disappointing?

a) Products may not arrive on time.
b) You cannot touch or see the products before buying.
c) It’s too expensive.
d) There are too many choices online.
Correct Answer: b) You cannot touch or see the products before buying.

6. What is a potential problem with shipping when shopping online?

a) Shipping times are always the same.
b) Shipping is always free.
c) Shipping times can vary, causing delays.
d) Products always arrive quickly.
Correct Answer: c) Shipping times can vary, causing delays.

7. How can unexpected shipping costs affect online shopping?

a) They can make the total price lower.
b) They can increase the total price.
c) They always make online shopping cheaper.
d) They never change the price.
Correct Answer: b) They can increase the total price.

8. What is a security risk of online shopping?

a) Personal details may be stolen.
b) Products may be of bad quality.
c) Orders can be canceled anytime.
d) Shops may not accept returns.
Correct Answer: a) Personal details may be stolen.

9. Which of the following is a disadvantage of online shopping?

a) You get discounts on all products.
b) You have to wait for products to arrive.
c) You can see the product before buying.
d) It is always cheaper.
Correct Answer: b) You have to wait for products to arrive.

10. What is the overall message of the text?

a) Online shopping is always better than in-store shopping.
b) Online shopping has both advantages and disadvantages.
c) Online shopping is too risky because of security issues.
d) Online shopping is only good for buying clothes.
Correct Answer: b) Online shopping has both advantages and disadvantages.

USE OF LANGUAGE
Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with the following phrases.

I'd like to order some

What color would you prefer?

And if I decide I don't like them?

Customer: Hi, I'm interested in purchasing some of your products.

Salesperson: Great! What did you have in mind?
Customer: _______________(1) office furniture. Do you have any desks and chairs
available?
Salesperson: Absolutely. We have a variety of options for both desks and chairs.
_______________(2)
Customer: I need something that will match my company's branding. Can you provide
different colors?
Salesperson: Yes, we have a few color options available. We can also customize the colors if
necessary.
Customer: That sounds perfect. _______________(3) What is your return policy?
Salesperson: Our return policy allows for returns within 30 days with a full refund. Is there
anything else I can assist you with today?
Customer: No, that's it for now. Thank you for your help.
Salesperson: Thank you for considering our products. Have a great day.
ANSWER KEY

VOCABULARY
Exercise 1 Exercise 2:
Correct matches: 1. Direct sales
1. b 2. E-commerce
2. h 3. item number
3. c 4. Mail order
4. d 5. promise
5. i 6. retailer
6. f 7. Shipping
7. g 8. Wholesale
8. e
9. a

READING SKILLS
Correct answers:
1. True - The author is indeed proposing a collaboration in direct sales and e-commerce.
2. False - The text states the company has been a leader in the retail sector for over a decade,
not two decades.
3. True - The author suggests wholesale and mail order arrangements as part of the
collaboration.
4. False - The text mentions reliable shipping procedures for customer satisfaction but does
not guarantee that shipping will always be on time.
5. True - The author mentions that their tech team can assist with API integrations for real-
time inventory management.
6. True - The collaboration aims to enhance mutual success and market presence.
7. True - The author expresses a desire to schedule a detailed discussion soon.
USE OF LANGUAGE
Correct answers:
1. I'd like to order some
2. What color would you prefer?
3. And if I decide I don't like them?