Chapter X
Complaints and Claims
Complaints of Wrong Goods Delivered
I. About the letter:
This is a letter from buyers to sellers complaining about the goods wrongly delivered. If the goods are found wrongly delivered, buyers should advise sellers in good time and send them the full particulars of the goods they received so that sellers may check them with the order and the copy of invoice and arrange for the dispatch of replacements.
Ⅱ.Additional notes：
1. appearv. 似乎，看来，显得
Your quotation does not appear to be reasonable，as the prices we received from other sources are 10% lower.
你方的报价似乎不合理，我们从其他地方接到的价格比你方低10%。
appear在内贸书信中有时用作委婉的表达方法，如：
You appear to have misunderstood our intention.（比You have misunderstood our intention. 委婉）
你方似乎误解了我们的意图。
2. presumevt .推测，认为
We presume (that) they have met your requirements. (“that” can be omitted.)
我们推测他们已经满足你们的需求。
I presume we can conclude the business.
我认为我们能做成这笔生意。
presume作“推测，认为”解时与assume（v. 设想，假定）意思相近。但presume含有相信的意思，而assume只是假设；此外，以that 从句为宾语时，presume后面的that 往往省略，而assume后面的that 则不能省略
比较：
We did not make you any offer because we assumed that you were not interested .
我方没有给你方报盘，因为我方猜想你方不感兴趣。
Since you did not reply to our cable ,we presume you are not interested.
由于你们没有答复我方去电，我们认为你们不感兴趣。
3. replacement n. 替代，替换物
replacement cost 更新成本
replacement investment 更换投资
replacement of goods 更换货物
We wish you to ship the replacement per S.S “Peace”as soon as possible.
我们希望你们尽快把替换物由和平号运出。
replace v. 替换
We shall replace the wrong goods by (with)the right ones.
我们将用正确的货物替换错误的货物。
4. disposal n. 处理；出售
There is little prospect for disposal of the goods.
没有多大希望处理这些货物。
dispose v. 使有意于，使倾向于
Changes in the market conditions here dispose us to cancel the contract.
市场情况的变化使我们倾向于取消合同。
dispose of 卖掉；处理掉
We have to dispose of the damaged goods at a greatly reduced price..
我们不得不大大削价处理掉这些受损的货物。
be (or: feel) disposed to do sth. 愿意做某事，倾向做某事
We are disposed to buy a small quantity for trial.
我们倾向买少量试用。
Ⅲ．Chinese version of the letter：
申诉错装货物
敬启者：
事由：我方第1027号订单
很高兴在“公主”号到达上海时我们已经及时收到装船单据并已将货提出。
我们很感激你方迅速执行我方订单。除了第16号箱外一切情况看来都良好。
当开箱后我们发现内装货物完全不符，我们只能推测这是错装，箱内之货属另外的订货。
由于我们的买主急需我们所订之货，我们不得不要求你方立即把替换之货发来。随函附上第16号箱所装货物清单。如你方将它与我方的订单和你方发票副本核对我们将不胜感激。
同时，我方将该货存在我处听候你方处理。
请注意上述事项。
谨启
LessonTwenty-Eight
(A) Claim for Short Weight
(B) Reply --Settlement of the Claim
I. About the letter:
The first letter is from the buyers to the sellers ,filing a claim against the sellers for a short weight of 7.8 metric tons of White Cement under Order No. 456 shipped per S/S “Queen” , supported by the Survey Report from Beijing Commodity Inspection Bureau for an amount of US$560 .
The second letter is in reply to the first one, from the sellers to the buyers, accepting the claim registered by the buyers for a short weight of 7.8 metric tons of White Cement.
Ⅱ.Additional notes：
1. claimn. 索赔，赔偿要求
常用的词组如下：
claim against sb. 向某人索赔
claim arising from a breach of the contract 违约所引起的赔偿要求
claim arising from a defect of the goods 货物瑕疵所引起的索赔
claim arising on a bill of lading 有关提单引起的索赔
claim barred by reason of limitation 受时效限制的索赔
claim based on lack of conformity of the goods 货物不符产生的索赔
claim for compensation of damages 损害赔偿的诉权
claim for contribution in general average 要求分摊共同海损
claim for damage 由于损坏而索赔
claim for financial loss 关于经济损失的诉权
claim for general average 共同海损分担的诉权
claim for inferior quality 由于品质低劣而索赔
claim for payment要求付款的诉权
claim for proceeds 要求赔偿货物
claim for reimbursement 要求偿还，索赔
claim for short delivery 由于短装而索赔
claim letter 索赔信
claim on account of damage 因损坏而索赔
claim on the goods 对该货提出索赔
下面是claim和其他动词搭配的部分常见短语：
accept /admit a claim同意索赔admit a claim同意索赔
entertain a claim受理索赔dismiss a claim 驳回索赔
reject a claim 拒绝索赔relinquish a claim 撤回索赔
settle a claim 解决索赔waive a claim 放弃索赔
withdraw a claim撤回索赔
claimv.索赔，要求赔偿
以下为部分常用短语，注意介词的一般用法；
to claim US$20,000 索赔美元两万元
to claim a compensation of US$20,000要求赔偿美元两万元
to claim US$20,000 for damage 因损坏赔偿美元两万元
to claim US$20,000 on the goods 对该货索赔美元两万元
to claim US$20,000 from the underwriter 向保险公司索赔美元两万元
2.shortweightadj. /n. 短重
也可写作short-weight；作名词时还可写作short weight。
The shipment of Fertilizers ex S.S “Pearl” is shortweight by 3.6 M/T.（本句中shortweight是形容词）
由“珍珠”轮运来的化肥短重3.6公吨。
We register a claim against you for a shortweight of 3.6 M/T. （本句中shortweight是名词）
我方为短重3.6公吨向你方提出索赔。
在外贸书信中，作“短少，短缺，不足”解的short可与名词或过去分词构成很多词组或复合词，其写法有写成两个词的，有用连字符的，也有写成一个词的。
下面是一些常见的这类词组和复合词：
short shipment短装；装载不足
There is a short shipment of 32kg.
货物少装了32公斤。
short delivery短交；缺交
Much to our regret, we found a short delivery of 115 lbs.
我们很遗憾发现短交115磅。
short- landedadj.短卸
We demand that you make up the short-landed goods without any delay.
我方要求你方尽快补偿短卸的货物。
short- calculatedadj.少算
Our commission on this article is short-calculated.
这批货我方的佣金少算了。
short-deliveredadj.短交；缺交
The short-delivered goods occurred during transit.
短交货物发生于运输途中。
short- establishedadj.少开
Your L/C is short-established to the amount of $630.
你方信用证少开630美元。
short- invoicedadj.发票少开
The shipment is short-invoiced by RMB￥2367.
这批货物的发票少开了人民币2367元。
short- shippedadj.短装
We shall ship the short- shipped goods immediately.
我们将短装的货物立即运出。
short- paidadj.少付
We’ll refund the short- paid amount of ￡ 300 to you..
我们将偿付给你们少付的300英镑。
3.survey report检验报告
以下为我国商检部门签发的部分主要鉴定证明：
Survey Report on Examination of Damage or Shortage 检验残损证明书
Survey Report on Inspection of Tank Hold 船舱鉴定证明书
Survey Report on Quality 品质鉴定证明书
Survey Report on Weight 重量鉴定证明书
We enclose a survey report issued by CCIB.
我们随函寄去中国商品检验局签发的检验报告一纸。
4. inspectionn.检验
Commodity Inspection Bureau 商品检验局
以下为一些关于inspection的检验证书名称：
Inspection Certificate of Quality 品质检验证书
Inspection Certificate of Quantity 数量检验证书
Inspection Certificate of Weight 重量检验证书
Veterinary Inspection Certificate 兽医检验证书
Disinfection Inspection Certificate 消毒检验证书
Inspection Certificate of Health 卫生检验证书
Inspection Certificate of Origin 产地检验证书
Inspection Certificate of Value 价值检验证书
.5. responsibleadj.有责任的，应负责的（后接介词for）
hold sb. responsible
We must hold you responsible for all losses arising from the improper packing.
我们必须要你们负责由于不良包装产生的一切损失。
responsibilityn.责任（后接介词for或of ，或接不定式）
We will take the responsibility of effecting shipment.
我方将负责装运。
6. long-standing relations 长期的关系
类似的表达方式有：long-established relations, long-existing relations, long connections, long friendly relations 等。
We are an exporter of silk, hoping to establish long-standing relations with you.
我们是丝绸的出口商希望和你方建立长期的关系。
7. settlementn.解决；清偿；结算
settlev.结算；处理；解决
The problem has been settled
这个问题已经解决了。
Please settle this long--standing account immediately.
请立即清偿这笔长期未清的账目。
We are desirous of reaching an amicable settlement with you.
我们渴望和你方达成和解。
settlement in an amicable way以友好的办法解决
settlement by arbitration以仲裁的方式解决
settlement of balance结清余额
settlement of claim理赔
settlement of exchange结汇
settlement of loss偿付损失
Ⅲ．Chinese version of the letter：
（A）短重引起的索赔
敬启者：
事由：我方关于500公吨白水泥的第456号订单
我们已经收到北京商检局的检验报告，证实昨天由“皇后”轮卸下的标题项下的货物短重7.8公吨。该局授权的检验员认为短重是由于不良包装，不是其它原因，对此你方毫无疑问应负责。
根据北京商检局签发的检验报告，我们向你方提出索赔560美元。
随函附去第607号检验报告，期待你方早日解决。
谨启
(B) 回复—— 理赔
敬启者：
你方第456号订单的索赔
关于你方第456号订单货物短重7.8公吨的索赔之事，我们对此深表歉意。
经我方工作人员查核，发现约有51袋未按照合同规定以五层坚固纸包装，而用来包装这51袋的纸只有三层，以致在运输途中造成破损。这完全是由于我方仓库管理人员的粗心所致，对此我们向你方致以歉意。
鉴于我们双方长期的业务关系，在得到你方同意后，我们立即将索赔金额560美元以支票转入中国银行北京分行账户。
希望你方对我们所作的安排感到满意，并期待你方更多的订单。
谨启
LessonTwenty-Nine
Ⅰ. About the letter：
Letter A is from the buyers to the sellers. The buyers’ opinion is that due to the sellers’ improper packing ,the goods under Order No. 527 arrived in poor condition, they have to claim against the sellers for a compensation of ?6oo for the expense of repacking the packages.
Letter B is the sellers’ reply to the buyers, declining the buyers’ claim because on going into the matter the sellers find that the fault lies with the shipping company . The sellers suggest the buyers lodge a claim against the shipping company instead of them.
Ⅱ.Additional notes：
The inferior quality of the goods results in cancellation of the contract.
货物的低劣质量导致合同的取消。
result from 由……引起
You should pay for any damage resulting from your negligence .
你方应该赔偿因你方疏忽引起的任何损坏。
当表示（对错误所负的）责任、过错时为不可数名词，只能用单数形式
There is a fault in the size of the shoes.
鞋子的尺码有毛病。
The fault lies in short weight.
责任在于短装。
It’s not my fault.
这不是我的过错。
damage by water水损
damage in transit运输途中的损坏
damage suit损害赔偿诉讼
damage survey损失调查，损失检验
damage allowed as general average可作共同海损的损失
damage through contact with other cargo与其它货物接触的损坏
actual damage实际损害
air shipment damage空运损害
estimated damage估计损害
sea shipment海损
sea water damage海水侵蚀
You should be responsible for the damage by water.
你应该对水损负责任。
Your bleach of the contract will damage our trade relations.
你方的违约将有损于我们今后的业务关系。
可用名词复数形式或不可数名词单数形式。
be / give/ have grounds for 有……之理由
We have give much ground /many grounds for claiming against you.
我们有充分的理由向你方提出索赔。
on the grounds of ：because of 因为
On the grounds of your delay in shipment, we have suffered great losses.
由于你方延误装运，我们遭受巨大损失。
Ⅲ．Chinese version of the letter：
（A）不良包装引起的索赔
敬启者：
我方第527号关于100包府绸的订单
我们已经收到你方由幸运号轮运来的第527号项下的100包府绸。很遗憾一经检查我们发现其中12包的包装已经破碎，显然是由于不良包装造成的。
由于我们必须在把货物交付给我们的客户之前重新包装，这样不可避免地导致总计600英镑的额外花费。因此我们不得不向你方提出索赔或者我们把货物退还你方予以替换。
请尽快告之你方的决定。
谨启
（B）谢绝索赔
敬启者：
你方关于第527号订单的索赔
兹证实已经收到你方4月10日的来信。很遗憾得知第527号项下的12包府绸到达时状况不好。
如果是我们的过错我们会负责任。但是在我们调查此事我们发现该货由我们经验丰富的工人仔细包装，离开此地时状况良好，我们随函寄去的清洁提单副本可以证明。我们确认它们是在运输途中受损。在这种情况下，没有理由向我们提出索赔。因此我们建议你方最好立即向应负此责任的装船公司提出索赔。
我们希望你方满意我们的解释。
谨启