Unit 6: Confirming or Rearranging Appointments

Useful tips

Confirm the topic, date, time, and place.
Be ready with alternative appointment times if the original time has to be changed.
Check to see if customer has any new request.

Conversation

1
Sabine G: Sabine Gerland.
Robbie T: Hello, Ms. Gerland. This is Robbie Taylor from Queensfield Ltd. How are you?
SG: Fine, thanks. And you?
RT: Very well. I’m just ringing to confirm our appointment for Tuesday afternoon at 3 P.m. to discuss our project management services for the Postsdam project.
SG: Yes. That’s right. I’m looking forward do it.
RT: Can I just check the address? That’s Quiddestrasse 14, isn’t it?
SG: Er, no, Quiddeestrasse 40.
RT: Right, 40, OK. And could you spell Quidde for me?
SG: Of course, That’s Q-U-I-D-D-E. If you go to our website, you’ll find full directions.
RT: Right. Thanks. So, I look forward to seeing you then.

2
RT: Queensfield Ltd. Robbie Taylor.
GS: Oh hi, this is Gerhard Schmidt calling from Hipax in Berlin.
RT: Oh, hello Mr. Schmidt. How are you?
GS: I’m fine, thank you. And you?
RT: I’m well, thanks.
GS: Good. I’m afraid I have to cancel our meeting next Tuesday morning. I’m going to be away visiting one of our key customers.
RT: No problem. Would Wednesday afternoon be more convenient?
GS: Unfortunately, not. One colleague I wanted come to our meeting will be in Paris and I’ll be in Munich.
RT: I see. Well, would you like me to arrange a telephone conference instead?
GS: Mmm, that’s a good idea. We’re both free at 2 p.m. on Wednesday. Will you email me the details?
RT: Of course. Actually, I wanted to call you anyway, Mr. Schmidt. Would you or your colleagues be interested in any of our other project management services, like logistics, for example?

Understanding

This is how Robbie Taylor’s diary looked before his tow phone calls. Make any necessary changes to it.
Tuesday
9 a.m.
10 a.m.
11 a.m.
12 a.m.
2 p.m.
3 p.m. Sabine Gerland, Quiddestrasse 14
4p.m.
5 p.m.

Wednesday
9 a.m.
10 a.m. Gerhard Schmidt, Hipax Berlin
11 a.m.
12 a.m.
2 p.m.
3 p.m.
4 p.m.
5 p.m.

saying it accurately

Complete the sentences with words from the box.

Spell confirm forward teleconference check better
1.I’m just ringing to ………… our appointment for Friday morning at 9 a.m.
2.Can just ………… the address?
3.Can you …………that for me?
4.That’s not a problem. Would Thursday afternoon be ………… for you?
5.Would it help if I arranged a …………?
6.I look ………… to seeing you then.

Match the questions from the conversation on the left to those on the right that have a similar purpose. Follow the example.

1.I’m just ringing to confirm our appointment for Tuesday afternoon at 3p.m.
2.Can I just check the address?
3.No problem. Would Tuesday afternoon be more convenient?
4.Would you like me to arrange a telephone conference?
5.Would you be interested in any of our other services?

A.Could you just confirm where your offices are?
B.Shall I organize a telephone conference?
C.I’m just calling to check that it’s still convenient for us to meet on Friday at 10 a.m.
D.Can I interest you in any other services that we provide?
E.That’s fine. How about Friday morning instead?