AUDIO
THE CAR SALESMAN In this dialogue, Freddy is looking for a used car. He’s speaking to a car salesman. There are a few problems. Listen to the dialogue and answer these two questions: 1. What feature of the car is Freddy most interested in? 2. How much does he pay in the end? Freddy: Salesman: Freddy: Salesman: Freddy: Salesman:
Freddy: Salesman:
Freddy: Salesman: Freddy:
Salesman: Freddy:
Salesman: Freddy: Salesman: Freddy:
Yeah, I’m looking for a used car. What do you have? Hi, my name is Steve. What’s your name, please, sir? My name is no business of yours. Show me your cars! Certainly. Come this way. (the salesman stops in front of a car) Well, can I put you in this car today? (Freddy kicks the tyres) How much is it? This car is wonderful, it has assisted steering, ABS, airbags, fully automated gears, and lots of other features that I can’t recall right now. Just take a seat. Do you have a hearing problem? I said, how much is the car? Oh, sir, surely a man of your standing wouldn’t worry about something as trivial as price? What line of business are you in, if I may ask? It’s known as a “don’t stick your nose in it and you won’t get hurt” type of business. Oh, how interesting. You know, that’s a lovely tie you’re wearing. Where did you get it? It fell off the back of a truck that belonged to my cousin. Look, buddy, this car ain’t big enough. I need a bigger car. Ah, just step this way, please. Now have a look at this one. (the salesman shows Freddy another car) That’s better. Now show me the trunk. (the salesman opens the trunk) I make a lot of deliveries in my line of business. Carrying stuff and things like that. I need a big trunk. Oh how interesting. What kind of things do you transport? Well, you know, dead things, mostly. Oh, you are in the meat trade, are you? Yeah, yeah, sort of. Now I need to make sure this trunk is big enough. It’s got to be able to carry a large-sized creature. Why don’t you get in and show me if you fit?
ANSWERS ON PAGE 46
Salesman: Oh, very well sir. Anything to help. (the salesman gets in the trunk, and Freddy closes the door) Freddy: What’s it like in there? (Freddy is talking to the salesman who is in the trunk) Salesman: It’s very spacious, although it’s a bit hot. Freddy: I can imagine. Now, let’s talk money. Salesman: Fine. If you’ll just let me out, we can step into my office. Freddy: You’re fine in there. Now what sort of reduction are you going to offer me on this vehicle? Salesman: I was thinking of a 10% reduction and 20% on finance. Freddy: I imagine it gets very hot in there. Do you want to try again? Salesman: 20% reduction and 5% finance? Freddy: Last chance! Salesman: 50% reduction and zero percent finance? Freddy: That’s better. Oh, look, the trunk door just came open. (the salesman steps out) It was a pleasure doing business with you. Salesman: Yes, I’m sure it was. (Freddy takes the car keys and sits down in the driving seat) Oh, erm, the money? Freddy: The cheque will be in the post. (Freddy drives away)
Exercise Now listen to some extracts from the conversation again. You will notice there are some missing words and a beeping sound. See if you can write the missing word. The answers are on page 46. 1. What line of business are you _______? 2. It fell _____ the back of a truck. 3. I make a lot of deliveries _____ my line of business. 4. We can step _______ my office. 5. What sort of reduction are you going to offer me _______ this vehicle? 6. It was a pleasure doing business _______ you.
GLOSSARY no business of yours exp people say this to tell people to stop asking questions, and as a way of saying, “it is nothing to do with you” a tyre n the round, rubber object that goes around a wheel (the round object - a car has four of them) steering n the mechanism that controls which direction a car goes in a gear n a stick in the car that you control with your hand. It changes the gears (there are usually five of these, and one reverse gear) to recall vb to remember standing n reputation what line of business are you in? exp this expression means: “what do you do?” don’t stick your nose in it exp this means: “stop asking questions” a tie n a long, thin piece of material that you wear around your neck and over your shirt
it fell off the back of a truck exp this expression means: “it was stolen”. Literally, a “truck” is a large vehicle for transporting goods buddy n inform friend ain’t exp inform this is an abbreviation of “is not” the trunk n the “box” at the back of a car where you can put bags, etc the meat trade n if you are in the “meat trade”, you work in the industry that produces meat, sausages, ham, etc sort of exp more or less to fit vb if you “fit” in a place, there is enough space for you to be there comfortably step into my office exp this means: “please come into my office” finance n if a company offers you “finance” to buy a product, you can buy the product gradually, paying a little bit each month, but also with interest
FREE subscription if you recommend Hot English Language Services to your company. E-mail classes@learnhotenglish.com.com / www.learnhotenglish.com /
37
BUSINESS DIALOGUES
BUSINESSDIALOGUES
