aMr. Brown, I'd like to talk with you about something that is getting to be a problem. I'd like, if possible, to see it settled at this meeting.
布朗先生,我想和你谈谈快要发生的一件比较麻烦的事情。如果可以的话,我想在这次会议上解决。
bWhat is it, Mrs. Wang?
王小姐,是什么事?
aIt's about the quality of 300 cartons of dried mushrooms. They reached us two weeks ago, and were immediately examined after they arrived. To our astonishment, about 20% of them were moldy and in many cartons there were even small brownish bugs crawling in and out of the half eaten mushrooms. We can't accept them in this state. They are unfit for human consumption. And the Medical Officer of Health has issued a Stop Notice on them.
bIs that so? So far we haven't had any complaint of this kind. Our mushrooms have enjoyed a good reputation for their superior quality for years. We are really at a loss to understand why your lot was found moldy and wormeaten. Have you any evidence?
aCertainly. Here's a survey report by a well-known lab in London, whose testimony is absolutely reliable.
当然有。这是伦敦一家有名的实验室的检验报告,他们的证词绝对可靠。
bThough everything may be as you say, there are many factors involved. What's more, your surveyors have not mentioned any cause for the damage.
虽然事情可能象你所说的那样,但它牵涉到很多因素。况且,你方检验员并没有提及造成损坏的任何原因。
aThe mushrooms were packed in small one pound plastic bags, sixty of these bags to a carton. It is stated on the surveyor?s report that external conditions of goods at the time of survey are all sound and intact. So it is obvious the cause of the damage is that the mushrooms were not completely dried before packing.
bAs you know, before shipment, the Commodity InspectionBureau inspected the goods in question. They concluded that the goods were well dehydrated from fresh and choice material and up to standard for export.
aI think the Inspection Bureau at your end, when effecting inspection, only selected a few package at random these happened to be up to the standard. The part that was not dried properly, most probably, escaped their attention. As the amount in question is only 20% of the whole shipment, I think it is only reasonable that you should compensate us for the loss.
bThe inspection certificate, which is based on a random selection of 20% of the consignment as we've agreed on beforehand, is considered final and binding upon both parties. We do not accept any claims for compensation for loss incurred in transit, because you bought the goods F.O.B. Houston and on shipping quality, not on landed quality. Your claim, in our opinion, should be referred to the insurance company, as the mishap occurred after shipment.
aWe've already got in touch with the underwriter. But they have refused to accept any liability. They attributed the accident to the effects of dampness during the long sea voyage.
我们已联系过保险商,但他们拒绝承担任何责任。他们将此事故归咎于长途海运中受潮的结果。
bThat's a matter over which we could exercise no control, then. I'm afraid I have to insist that you approach the insurance company for settlement, that is, if you have covered this risk in your coverage.