买卖过招第一回 Buy and Sell
Dan Smith是一位美国的健身用品经销商，此次是Robert第一回与他交手。就在短短几分钟的交谈中，Robert即感到这位大汉粗犷的外表下，藏有狡黠如脱兔的心思－－他肯定是名沙场老将，自己绝不可掉以轻心。双方第一回过招如下：
英文正文
Dan: I'd like to get the ball rolling by talking about prices.
Robert: Shoot. I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Dan: Your products are very good. But I'm a little worried about the prices you're asking.
Robert: You think we should be asking for more?
Dan: That's not exactly what I had in mind. I know your research costs are high, but what I'd like is a 25% discount.
Robert: That seems to be a little high, Mr. Smith. I don't know how we can make a profit with those numbers.
Dan: Please, Robert, call me Dan. Well, if we promise future business -- volume sales that will slash your costs for making the Exec-U-Ciser, right?
Robert: Yes, but it's hard to see how you can place such large orders. How could you turn over so many? We'd need a guarantee of future business, not just a promise.
Dan: We said we wanted 1000 pieces over a six month period. What if we place orders for twelve months, with a guarantee?
Robert: If you can guarantee that on paper, I think we can discuss this further.
中文翻译
D: 我想就从价钱方面开始谈吧！
R: 洗耳恭听！我很乐意答复任何问题。
D: 贵公司的产品很出色；但你们开的价码，让我觉得有点困难。
R: 你是觉得我们应该把价钱开高一点啰？
D: 我不是这个意思。我知道你们投入很高的开发费用，但是，我想要七五折。
R: Smith先生，这个折扣似乎多了点。这样的价格，我们公司怎么能有利润可赚！
D: Robert，请叫我Dan好了。这样吧！若我们答应以后继续合作，而且是大笔的生意，就可以使你们大幅降低‘健你乐’的制造成本，对不？
R: 嗯！不过，我看不出您怎能下这么大笔的订单?!贵公司如何销售这么多的货呢？我们要的可是保证，而不是随口答应就算数的哦！
D: 我们本来说半年内订货1000件。如果现在我们保证一年内都会跟你们订货，你意下如何？
R: 如果你们能以书面保证，我想我们可以再谈。
短语解说
get the ball rolling 开始
"get the ball rolling"字面意思是‘让球滚动’。此词组乃源自足球惯例：由一位球员开球，把球传给队友，借此展开一场比赛；因此这个‘让球滚动’的动作，就引申为‘开始某活动’。
We can get the ball rolling on this deal by talking to the company's vice president.
关于这笔生意，我们可以先找这家公司的副总谈。
shoot 有话直说；洗耳恭听
"shoot"，当动词有‘发射’的含意。在本文中为感叹语，作用是鼓励他人踊跃发言，意思是‘有话尽管说，我洗耳恭听’，为美式口语。
If you think you have a better idea than this, shoot.
如果你觉得还有比这更好的意见，尽管直说吧！
make a profit 赚钱；获利
‘赚钱’这个词组的动词为 "make" -- 用法是 "make a profit"。请注意 "profit" 要加冠词 "a" ,或改为复数形 -- "make profits "来使用。
