RICHARDS : Well, as you know we sell all over the world so we’re thinking in terms of a pretty large consignment, so I thought it might save time if I came straight to the man who makes the decisions.
JOHN : Decisions.
RICHARDS : Yes. You know delivery dates, discounts special terms details like that.
JOHN : Yes. Although I’m not sure there’d be any difference in price. You know our wholesale terms are fairly definite.
RICHARDS : Fairly.
JOHN : No. No. I mean they’re all laid down.
RICHARDS : You did say fairly definite.
JOHN : Well, of course, the price varies according to the number you order.
RICHARDS : And we want over a hundred thousand.
JOHN : I see.
RICHARDS : If I’m not wrong, your price reduction stops at only ten thousand orders. Then you lower it to seventy-five pence per umbrella. That’s not cheap when you consider transport, customs duty, and a whole variety of different taxes.
JOHN : Oh, come Mr. Richards. After all, we do have the patent on my umbrella. And there is a huge demand for it. On a hundred thousand you could make a fortune.
RICHARDS : That’s all very well, Mr. Sallis, but as well as I do that there are many Invisibles: insurance, packaging, unexpected devaluations, strikes, all of which cost money. I’m running quite a risk.
JOHN : We have our risks, too
RICHARDS : Of course, I know you have – but I do think a slight reduction would be in order. Come on let’s say fifty pence per umbrella.
JOHN : Fifty pence! You must be joking! Why that’s less than the manufacturing price?
RICHARDS : Really? Well, if you say so.
JOHN : No it really is. I honestly don’t see why we should go below seventy-five pence.
RICHARDS : Well, you know we may not be able to place an order at that price.
JOHN : Hm, that would be a pity. Well, perhaps we’d 45 better think it over and I’ll consult one or two people. Shall we have lunch tomorrow?
RICHARDS : Good idea. And I do hope it will come to something. It really will be a pity if it doesn’t!