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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Average: 4.4 (910 votes)

Submitted by George5 on Sat, 11/07/2026 - 14:17

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I can also do a favour for important clients, but I'm not a grown-up

 

Submitted by Eva Liu on Wed, 08/07/2026 - 19:37

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I make an exception for my important clients if they needed.

I often make a deadline to ensuring they follow the rules.

Submitted by ChristianLeon28 on Thu, 02/07/2026 - 02:44

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This lesson is very interesting. I'm starting learning english by my self and I will try to practice everyday

 

Submitted by Alexandra Rivas on Tue, 30/06/2026 - 22:11

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In the last company I’ve worked for we had an accurate process about payment terms, because the cash flow was a huge responsibility, with the almost 200 employers and with all its stakeholders. 

The company only gives our clients 30 days of debt. However, exceptions were made for clients with really special terms, that includes Supermarkets such as Walmart and Siman. 

The reason why the exceptions were made was that these clients manage a different amount of budgets and the sales for these channels were significant to our categories. 

 

 

Submitted by Judy900 on Sat, 27/06/2026 - 20:53

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I generally apply the same standards, but I'm happy to make exceptions for truly important clients when needed.

Submitted by ABONHR on Sat, 27/06/2026 - 12:30

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Yeah, I could do them a favour. Because I maintain a good relationship with them. 

Submitted by Merybela on Sat, 20/06/2026 - 20:06

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yes, i often make exceptions for important clients wich they always pay in the time and respect regulations.

Submitted by Hoanny on Sat, 20/06/2026 - 18:06

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I don´t work with clientes, but if I did, I would do these kinds of extension for good clients.