[originaltext]M: Hello, Tom Grossman’s office. How may I help you?W: Hi, Tom.

M: Hello, Tom Grossman’s office. How may I help you?
W: Hi, Tom. This is Cindy Lim from MicroMax.
M: Hey, Cindy. What’s up?
W: It’s about the last order your company placed with us.
M: Let’s see. You mean the order for six containers of chipboard?
W: Yep, that’s the one. Now I know we originally agreed on the price, but there’s a little problem. (1-1)Yesterday one of our major suppliers notified us that they are raising prices.
M: That’s never good.
W: Also, due to recent jumps in energy prices, our shipping agent is also upping fees. I guess what I’m getting at is that we just can’t offer our products at the original price anymore.
M: Well, how much more are you asking for?
W: We need to ask for another 25%.
M: 25%! That’s a huge increase, Cindy.
W: Tom, you are one of our most valued customers. Your business is important to us, but this situation is out of our hands.
M: I understand that your company needs to make a profit. But it’s going to be very hard for me to pass on these increases to our customers.
W: I feel your pain, Tom. We are also in hot water these days. The global financial crisis is hitting all of us hard.
M: Is there any way we could cut costs in other areas? Could we find a new shipping agent?
W: Yes, we could do that. But in the end it still comes down to protecting our bottom line.
M: Look, I understand that prices for everything are going up these days. It’s a tough time to be in business. My company had to lay off over 100 employees last summer: but 25% is just too much.
W: You and I go a long way back, Tom. I’ll do everything in my power to be flexible. How about 22%?
M: It’s still too high. Our board of directors is already going to give me a hard time over this. Can you do better?
W: Tom, seeing as I’ve known you for over 10 years and because this price increase really came out of the blue, I think I can go down to 20%. But that’s really the best I can do.
M: How about this: I’ll pay 15% more for this shipment. Then for the next order we’ll boost it up to 18%.
W: I appreciate your understanding, Tom. And I’m sorry for the trouble this has caused you.
M: Ah, that’s all right. I know it’s not your fault. Prices for everything these days are insane.
W: Still, I appreciate your understanding. Let’s get together for lunch next time you’re in town.
M: Sure thing.
W: Thanks again, Tom.
1. Which is NOT the reason the woman’s company raise price?
2. What does the woman say about their situation?
3. What would happen if they found a new shipping agent?
4. What happened to the man’s company last summer?
5. How much more will the man’s company pay for this shipment?