Business Dialogues

AUDIO BUSINESSDIALOGUES ANSWERS ON PAGE 46

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: Yeah, I’m looking for a used car. What do you have? Salesman: Hi, my name is Steve. What’s your name, please, sir? Freddy: My name is no business of yours. Show me your cars! Salesman: Certainly. Come this way. (the salesman stops in front of a car) Well, can I put you in this car today? Freddy: (Freddy kicks the tyres) How much is it? Salesman: 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. Freddy: Do you have a hearing problem? I said, how much is the car? Salesman: 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? Freddy: It’s known as a “don’t stick your nose in it and you won’t get hurt” type of business. Salesman: Oh, how interesting. You know, that’s a lovely tie you’re wearing. Where did you get it? Freddy: 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. Salesman: Ah, just step this way, please. Now have a look at this one. (the salesman shows Freddy another car) Freddy: 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. Salesman: Oh how interesting. What kind of things do you transport? Freddy: Well, you know, dead things, mostly. Salesman: Oh, you are in the meat trade, are you? Freddy: 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? 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.

G L O S S A R Y

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