You will hear a part of a conversation between two managers from different c

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Woman: Well, that was most interesting. Thanks very much.
Man: Do please sit down. I’m sure we could both use a coffee after staring at the computer screen for so long.
Woman: Yes, thanks. That would be nice. But we do need to talk business now.
Man: So, do we have a deal? Or you agreed this computer system would suit your company’s needs?
Woman: Yes, I think it will be fine as we are not a big company. Although things are going pretty well, we obviously can’t really afford the latest technology. Well, that’s precisely why we decided to buy a second-hand system as opposed to a new one. I do have a few concerns. I did read that one of the drawbacks of this particular system is that it is very slow.
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Man: That’s all comparative, really. Obviously since the system was first made, things have changed. And it’s slow compared with the newest computers, but the difference is still quite minimal. And compared to your present system it’s still at least four times as fast.
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Woman: Mm. One obvious question I must ask you before making a decision is, well, why do you want to sell your computers in the first place? Clearly you feel they need updating.
Man: Well, actually there has been quite a difference of opinion in our company about the wisdom of replacing them. In fact, I don’t think it’s necessary. But some people feel that because of the international nature of our business, we need to keep up with the very latest technology. I don’t really know why. Maybe to impress the clients, I suppose. Obviously for a small business like yours, it doesn’t matter as much.
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Woman: Yes, well, that’s also true, but I am still rather worried about the asking price. It’s more than we are planning to spend.
Man: Well, I’m afraid I’ve gone as low as I can. I’m simply not allowed to let it go any cheaper. And quite honestly, Elizabeth, I really do think it’s a very good price.
Woman: No. Having seen what you have here, I certainly think it’s a fair price. But the installation and servicing will add considerably to our costs.
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Man: Okay, well, how about if we have our engineers install the system and we will cover half the costs of any necessary servicing?
Woman: What, the first year or two?
Man: Yes, well, let’s say for the first year.
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Woman: Okay, that sounds very reasonable. And I understand that you mentioned to John when you first approach him about this, that we will be able to send some of our people over to you so that they can be trained to use the system. Is that right?
Man: Well, not exactly. I said that we may be able to offer some training, but I rather had in mind that we should go over to you. I really don’t think my boss will be very happy having your staff come here to be trained. You know, it does tend to see you as the competition.
Woman: Okay. It’s a fair point. You send your people to us. Ha, ha, mind you. I wish we were in a position to be able to compete with you.
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Man: Yes, I know.
Woman: Anyway, our business is much more narrowly focused on a particular area of the domestic food market.
Man: I know, Elizabeth, you don’t need to tell me. Anyway, so do we have a deal?
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Woman: Just one more thing. I believe you said you were going to replace your office chairs at the same time as the computers?
Man: Yes?
Woman: And obviously we’ll need chairs to go with the new computers.
Man: Oh, I see, you certainly drive a hard bargain, Elizabeth. All right. Well, I must say that does seem fair enough. I think we will be able to throw those into.
Woman: Great! That’s a deal!
Man: Excellent! I think it’s close for a drink.
Woman: Well, that was most interesting. Thanks very much.
Man: Do please sit down. I’m sure we could both use a coffee after staring at the computer screen for so long.
Woman: Yes, thanks. That would be nice. But we do need to talk business now.
Man: So, do we have a deal? Or you agreed this computer system would suit your company’s needs?
Woman: Yes, I think it will be fine as we are not a big company. Although things are going pretty well, we obviously can’t really afford the latest technology. Well, that’s precisely why we decided to buy a second-hand system as opposed to a new one. I do have a few concerns. I did read that one of the drawbacks of this particular system is that it is very slow.
Man: That’s all comparative, really. Obviously since the system was first made, things have changed. And it’s slow compared with the newest computers, but the difference is still quite minimal. And compared to your present system it’s still at least four times as fast.
Woman: Mm. One obvious question I must ask you before making a decision is, well, why do you want to sell your computers in the first place? Clearly you feel they need updating.
Man: Well, actually there has been quite a difference of opinion in our company about the wisdom of replacing them. In fact, I don’t think it’s necessary. But some people feel that because of the international nature of our business, we need to keep up with the very latest technology. I don’t really know why. Maybe to impress the clients, I suppose. Obviously for a small business like yours, it doesn’t matter as much.
Woman: Yes, well, that’s also true, but I am still rather worried about the asking price. It’s more than we are planning to spend.
Man: Well, I’m afraid I’ve gone as low as I can. I’m simply not allowed to let it go any cheaper. And quite honestly, Elizabeth, I really do think it’s a very good price.
Woman: No. Having seen what you have here, I certainly think it’s a fair price. But the installation and servicing will add considerably to our costs.
Man: Okay, well, how about if we have our engineers install the system and we will cover half the costs of any necessary servicing?
Woman: What, the first year or two?
Man: Yes, well, let’s say for the first year.
Woman: Okay, that sounds very reasonable. And I understand that you mentioned to John when you first approach him about this, that we will be able to send some of our people over to you so that they can be trained to use the system. Is that right?
Man: Well, not exactly. I said that we may be able to offer some training, but I rather had in mind that we should go over to you. I really don’t think my boss will be very happy having your staff come here to be trained. You know, it does tend to see you as the competition.
Woman: Okay. It’s a fair point. You send your people to us. Ha, ha, mind you. I wish we were in a position to be able to compete with you.
Man: Yes, I know.
Woman: Anyway, our business is much more narrowly focused on a particular area of the domestic food market.
Man: I know, Elizabeth, you don’t need to tell me. Anyway, so do we have a deal?
Woman: Just one more thing. I believe you said you were going to replace your office chairs at the same time as the computers?
Man: Yes?
Woman: And obviously we’ll need chairs to go with the new computers.
Man: Oh, I see, you certainly drive a hard bargain, Elizabeth. All right. Well, I must say that does seem fair enough. I think we will be able to throw those into.
Woman: Great! That’s a deal!
Man: Excellent! I think it’s close for a drink.