You will hear two business partners are negotiating about their future coope

Man: Mrs. Taylor, if my memory serves me right, we have been working together for more than four years, is that so?
Woman: Yes, roughly.
Man: As we look back on our cooperation over these four years, I feel quite glad that we’ve achieved a lot. Thanks to our joint effort, our sales volume in France has been on a steady rise.
Woman: I’m glad you say so. Frankly, both of us have benefited a lot from our cooperation.
Man: True. And I think it’s time to talk about a long-term arrangement, don’t you think so?
Woman: That’s just what I have in mind. What do you propose?
Man: How about a sole agency agreement? If we come to terms, we’d be very glad to entrust all our business in France to you.
Woman: That would be great. Let me assure you that if I’m appointed to your agent, you will have nothing to worry about.
Man: I’ll take your word. Shall we have a look at the details?
Woman: Yes, please.
Man: First of all, we propose a three-year duration of the agency agreement.
Woman: Three years? I think it’s a little bit longer. How about a bit shorter, say, two years?
Man: Well, then let’s start with two years.
Man: Settled. Second, the agency territory is limited to French market. And as our sole agent, you are not expected to sell any other competitive line of goods in this market.
Woman: No, certainly not! These are reasonble restrictions.
Man: Third, we require an annual turnover of 5.000 pieces in the first year and 6.000 pieces in the second year.
Woman: 5,000 pieces in the first year? Don’t you think it’s too much? You know, the counrty is in a financial downturn now. That’s too big a number to be acceptable.
Man: I don’t think so. I think you can fullfill the target easily. You see, with the sole agency, we shall no longer supply to any other dealers in your area. The whole French market is yours.
Woman: Even so. that’s too big a number to be acceptable. Let’s put it 4,000 in the first year. As the economics gradually turns better, I think we can sell 6,000 pieces in the second year and we will strive to sell more.
Man: All right, let’s fix it 4,000 pieces in the first year and 6,000 pieces in the second year.
Woman: Thanks a lot. What do we gain from the agency?
Man: Like all our representatives, you will receive a 5% commission.
Woman: But I think we deserve a bigger commission for such a big turnover, don’t you think so?
Man: In fact, we have already taken that into account. To tell you frankly, this commision is the highest we have ever given.
Woman: In that case, I accept it. Of course, we wish to add another clause, for every 1,000 pieces sold in excess of the quota, we will get 1 % more in commission for our efforts.
Man: All right.
Woman: What about bad debts?
Man: That’s the responsibility of the agent, I’m afraid, because, it’s the agent’s job to ensure prompt collection of all the proceeds.
Woman: What are the terms of payment?
Man: Payment is to be made by L/C within reasonbale time, say, half a month after the delivery date.
Woman: Sounds good.
Man: Another thing is that every half a year, we would like to receive from you a detailed report on current market conditions and the users’ comments on our products.
Woman: No problem.
Man: Then let me draw up the agreement. I will have it finished in a week.
Woman: Thanks a lot! When shall we sign the contract?
Man: How about after two weeks this time, let me see, on Januray 22nd?
Woman: That would be fine. put it 4,000 in the first year. As the economics gradually turns better, I think we can sell 6,000 pieces in the second year and we will strive to sell more.
Man: All right, let’s fix it 4,000 pieces in the first year and 6,000 pieces in the second year.
Woman: Thanks a lot. What do we gain from the agency?
Man: Like all our representatives, you will receive a 5% commission.
Woman: But I think we deserve a bigger commission for such a big turnover, don’t you think so?
Man: In fact, we have already taken that into account. To tell you frankly, this commision is the highest we have ever given.
Woman: In that case, I accept it. Of course, we wish to add another clause, for every 1,000 pieces sold in excess of the quota, we will get 1 % more in commission for our efforts.
Man: All right.
Woman: What about bad debts?
Man: That’s the responsibility of the agent, I’m afraid, because, it’s the agent’s job to ensure prompt collection of all the proceeds.
Woman: What are the terms of payment?
Man: Payment is to be made by L/C within reasonbale time, say, half a month after the delivery date.
Woman: Sounds good.
Man: Another thing is that every half a year, we would like to receive from you a detailed report on current market conditions and the users’ comments on our products.
Woman: No problem.
Man: Then let me draw up the agreement. I will have it finished in a week.
Woman: Thanks a lot! When shall we sign the contract?
Man: How about after two weeks this time, let me see, on Januray 22nd?
Woman: That would be fine.