BUSINESS ENGLISH

WORDS ASSOCIATED WITH SALES PART 1 1. After-sales service Meaning: Regular maintenance (upkeep) or repair of products. After-sales service may be offered by the manufacturer (company who makes the product) or supplier during and after a warranty period. Example: “They promised after-sales service, but the warranty period was not specified.” You may want to use this phrase when talking to customers about specific products that may benefit from after-sales service. 2. Client Meaning: A person who pays a professional person or organization for services. These services might be from a lawyer, an accountant, advertising agency, etc. Example: “As an inexperienced employee in an advertising agency, it can be difficult to get new clients.” Clients are generally people who buy more intangible services (like advice, or other things you can’t actually see). Pay attention to the difference between this word and the next one. 3. Customer Meaning: A person who buys goods or services from a store or other business. Example: “New customers are tough to get in times of financial crisis.” You may have heard the sayings “the customer is king” or “the customer is always right.” Customers generally appreciate your respect, so you want to let them know that you value their decision to do business with you. Don’t confuse the word “customer” with the word “client” above. Customers buy products and more tangible services (like a bank account, an insurance policy or a vacation). If you’re selling products, you’re dealing with customers, not clients. 4. Cold calling Meaning: A technique that involves contacting potential (possible) customers who have had no previous contact with the salesperson who is making the call. Example: “I always get annoyed when a cold caller decides to disturb my rest.” “Cold calling” generally refers to phone calls, but it may also involve door-to-door sales. Cold calling is usually seen as a difficult sales technique because many people dislike being disturbed. It’s difficult to sell something to someone who doesn’t want you to be talking to them. The opposite is “warm calling,” in which the salesperson has already had some contact with the potential customer, like an email or another conversation. 5. Guarantee Meaning: A written assurance that a product will be repaired or replaced if it breaks down. “Guarantee” means almost the same thing as “warranty,” but “guarantee” is a bit wider in meaning. “Warranty” is only used to refer to the written agreement, but you can use “to guarantee” as meaning “to ensure” (that something happens). Examples: “We offer a two-year guarantee/warranty for this phone.” “I guarantee the weather will be fine tomorrow.” 6. To buy in bulk Meaning: To purchase goods in large amounts, usually at a discount. Example: “We bulk-buy office supplies because it’s a lot cheaper.” 7. To buy on credit Meaning: To purchase something and pay for it later, normally with interest (extra paid for the money loaned). Example: “I usually buy a lot on credit because I tend to shop on impulse (without planning on it).” 8. Prospect Meaning: Potential customer or client. Example: “Salespeople can identify prospects by direct mailing, emailing or cold calling.” 9. Retail Meaning: The selling of goods or services in small quantities to customers. Example: “Retail sales are up three percent from last year.” 10. Wholesale Meaning: The sale of large quantities of goods (to retailers or to other wholesalers) at lower prices than in retailing. Example: “Is that price retail or wholesale?” © 2022 Enux Education Limited. All Rights Reserved