The mistake is on our side????

Question

Hello!!I have just written e-mail to one of my customers but although it sounds to me somehow a bit weird, I can not find a better solution..please, I need your help:"I KNOW IT!BELIEVE THAT WE ARE AWARE OF THIS. I ADMIT THAT THE MISTAKE´S ON OUR SIDE SO THAT´S WHY I OFFERED YOU SOME BETTER PAYMENT TERMS. OF COURSE WE WILL DO THE BEST AT THE STAGE OF STAND CONSTRUCTION SO YOU WILL NOT REGRET TO HAVE CHOSEN US!"I need to know about if"the mistake is on our side or from our side"is it correct?thanks!Pamela

Chalkbrd · Accepted Answer

Here are my suggestions:

I know it. Please believe me that we are aware of this problem. I admit the mistake has been on our part so that's why I offered you some better payment terms. Of course we will do the best we can at this stage of construction so you will not regret having chosen us!

I'm not sure what you mean by "the stage of stand construction."

Do you know that most people online see things in ALL CAPITALS as shouting? I'd recommend you type it normally and not all in capitals.

I'm afraid if you put an ! after the "I know it," it will come across as kind of angry at the person.

Chalk

Pamela81 · Answer

Hi and thanks for the reply!

Sorry, I did not know about the capital letters. Should I have to modify the post?

Anyway.. by "at the stage of stand construction" means that when we will build the stand, we will do our best to make a good job. Now we are only dealing with this company.

Then... is really ! not polite ?

Thanks

Pamela

Chalkbrd · Answer

Hi, Pamela

Yes, capital letters to many on the Internet mean someone is upset or angry, and they are yelling. You don't need to modify the post, but I would not use capital letters like that to send a letter to a cuistomer.

So you are building a stand for this person? Maybe it would be better to say, "When we build the stand" instead of "at the stage of stand construction." That seems much clearer to me.

When you start out by saying, "I know it!" it sounds to me like you are irritated. If you remove the exclamation mark, then it will not sound like that. For the most part, it's best not to overuse exclamation marks, especially in a business context. The one at the very end is good because it shows the customer you are eager to resolve the problem, but the first one is best left out, in my opinion. I think in an e-mail, it will come across as not polite.

Chalk

Pamela81 · Answer

Dear Chalk,

thanks for the explaination!

To say the truth, I remember last year when I was dealing with some Chinese company, we had with them some problems due to the use of the ? and the !

I remember I was quite stressed because they did not send us the necessary documents for the confirmation of the order so I wrote such a mail:

" Hi Jean, be aware that the time is passing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! we are waiting for the documents!!!!!!!!! we can not wait anymore!!!!!! Could you send them today??????????? "

So... I guess I have been "quite" unpolite :-)

The customer warned me that I had to stop using ! and ? so many times ..

I should remember this in order not to put up a poor show once again :-)

Cheers

PAMELA

Chalkbrd · Answer

Yes, Pamela, they might have read that note and thought that you were very angry at them and quite impatient. It's probably best with business e-mails not to use !! and ??.

These are little cultural things, but they can be tricky. Glad I could help!

Chalk

Let me give you just a few corrections in your post to help you with your English, and a suggestion on how you might want to word the e-mail next time.

Pamela81Dear Chalk,
Thanks for the explanation!
To tell the truth, I remember last year when I was dealing with some Chinese company, we had some problems with them due to the use of the ? and the !
I remember I was quite upset because they did not send us the necessary documents for the confirmation of the order so I wrote this e-mail:
" Hi Jean, please notice that time is getting away from us. We are waiting for the documents. We cannot wait any longer. Would you please send them today? "
So... I guess I have been "quite" unpolite :-)
The customer warned me that I had to stop using ! and ? so many times ..
I should remember this in order not to put up a poor show again :-)
Cheers
PAMELA

Pamela81 · Answer

Hi Chalk! thanks a lot! this is really helpful! I need your corrections!Could you just explain to me the difference between "the time is passing" "the time is getting away from us"

Also, "I m angry at you" can be replaced by "I´m angry WITH you" ?

Thanks!!!! ( here can I use !!!! ???

)

Cheers

Pamela

Chalkbrd · Answer

Hi, Pamela.

It wouldn't be common to hear someone say, "the time is passing." It just sounds odd, especially in this situation. In a story, you might read, "The time passed slowly," and that would be okay, but in conversation or a letter/e-mail, I wouldn't say it that way at all.

I've heard people use both "I'm angry at you" and "I'm angry with you." I think they are both okay. If you use mad, though, I don't hear people saying "I'm mad with you." I always hear the people around here say, "I'm mad at you."

And yes, here you can use the !!!!

Chalk

Pamela81 · Answer

Thanks! you´re helpful!

Have a nice day

Pamela

Chalkbrd · Answer

Glad I can help you out!

Chalk

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