A phone call from a customer

A phone call from a customer

Listen to the phone call from a customer to practise and improve your listening skills.

Do the preparation task first. Then listen to the audio and do the exercises.

Preparation

Transcript

Junko: Hello, Junko Mori speaking. How can I help you?

Andrea: Hi, Junko, it's Andrea here from Red Band. I'm calling about our latest order.

Junko: Everything arrived OK, right? We got the delivery confirmation at our end.

Andrea: Yes, everything's fine with the order. I'm calling about the invoice and the payment terms. I need a favour.

Junko: A favour? What do you need?

Andrea: This is a little, er ... difficult, but I need an extension on the payment terms. I know they're usually 30 days, but we're having some cash flow problems. You'd really be helping us out if you could extend it to 60 days.

Junko: I'm not sure if I can do that, Andrea. We've got regulations at our end, and also have to manage our own cash flow.

Andrea: I promise this won't become the norm, Junko. Actually, I also want to place another new order. The same size order as last time. It's for an important customer and they pay on delivery.

Junko: I see. So your cash flow problem will be solved after this new order is delivered.

Andrea: Exactly.

Junko: That sounds good. Hold on, Andrea. Let me see what I can do. Yes, I think we can make an exception this time.

Andrea: That's great, Junko. I appreciate your help.

Junko: And we appreciate your business, Andrea. It works both ways.

Andrea: Thanks again, Junko. Can you send me a quick email confirmation of the payment terms extension?

Junko: Sure, no problem. We're happy to help you.

Andrea: Great. And I'll email you the new order.

Junko: Thanks. I'll keep an eye out for it. Talk to you soon.

Andrea: You too. Goodbye.

Task 1

Task 2

Discussion

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Profile picture for user Leo_needtolearn16

Submitted by Leo_needtolearn16 on Tue, 17/03/2026 - 12:29

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Yes, sometimes we need to do favors and have an exception for important clients, especially when they need it. We need to show that we care for them and we always try to understand their concern. With this, they would feel important as a client. 

Submitted by monicag_ on Mon, 16/03/2026 - 20:55

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Yes, I do. It’s a way to make customers feel more heard and understood.

Submitted by Dani. on Thu, 12/03/2026 - 18:20

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Yes, I do. Sometimes we can make a exception, especially if for a good client. 

Submitted by Pauviver on Mon, 09/03/2026 - 18:14

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I´m agree, We must help others but they must be good customers and they musn´t do this regullary.

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Submitted by Libelula on Thu, 05/03/2026 - 12:58

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Yes, we normally make exceptions for important clients. It’s a way to help each other.

Submitted by Ssannmm on Thu, 05/03/2026 - 08:55

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It can happen, particularly with small suppliers. It is not an unusual situation so I would make an exception in this kind of situation. I think It’s important to help others and from a business perspective, I think it’s a good strategy to keep a customer.

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Submitted by abdul249 on Thu, 26/02/2026 - 22:43

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we are always asking for exstention when we fac situation like this.

Submitted by amanha7007 on Sun, 22/02/2026 - 09:40

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Yes, I sometimes make exceptions for important people, especially if helps the team or project 

Submitted by amanha7007 on Sun, 22/02/2026 - 09:35

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Yes, I sometimes make exceptions for important people, especially if it helps the team or project.