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 (934 votes)

Submitted by Myat Moe-22 on Mon, 10/08/2026 - 16:17

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yes, I sometimes make exceptions for my important clients. This may happen when they ask me to complete the project sooner than the proposed timeline or request a discount.

Submitted by the algerian. on Fri, 07/08/2026 - 16:06

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Actually, my clients' good behavior makes me want to them a lot of favors. Honestly, most of them deserve these favors.

Submitted by Mosanche on Sun, 02/08/2026 - 04:27

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In my Job, it is normal that costumers ask to change or modificated terms conditions. ÍT is posible but,  it has an extra cost. 

Submitted by Sinatra_Junior on Sat, 25/07/2026 - 16:16

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Unfortunately,  I always make exceptions for clients - whether they're important or not. 

And It's not just me. It's almost everyone who works in advertising. 

In this industry, making exceptions and and doing favors isn't the exception - it's the rule. I know that sounds like an exaggeration, but it isn't.  Here a few examples:

We deliver more than we were asked to. 

We work more hours than were agreed to in the contract. 

We bend our own professional standards just to win or keep a client. 

And honestly, that's pretty sad. 


 

Submitted by Marcelo59 on Thu, 23/07/2026 - 22:41

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I extend payment in 60 days, because you are a good customer and have an excellent rental´s historic

Submitted by Angelica Puppi on Thu, 23/07/2026 - 15:30

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Yes, in my company I've done different negotiation If it's good for both.