Buy and Sell

　　Robert回公司呈报Dan的提案后，老板很满意对方的采购计划;但在折扣方面则希望Robert能继续维持强硬的态度，尽量探出对方的底限。就在这七上八下的价格翘翘板上，双方是否能找到彼此的平衡点呢?请看下面分解：

　　英文正文

　　Robert: Even with volume sales, our costs for the Exec-U-Ciser won't go down much.

　　Dan: Just what are you proposing?

　　Robert: We could take a cut on the price. But 25% would slash our profit margin. We suggest a compromise - 10%.

　　Dan: That's a big change from 25! 10 is beyond my negotiating limit. Any other ideas?

　　Robert: I don't think I can change it right now. Why don't we talk again tomorrow?

　　Dan: Sure. I must talk to my office anyway. I hope we can find some common ground on this. (next day) Robert, I've been instructed to reject the numbers you proposed; but we can try to come up with something else.

　　Robert: I hope so, Dan. My instructions are to negotiate hard on this deal - but I'm trying very hard to reach some middle ground.

　　Dan: I understand. We propose a structured deal. For the first six months, we get a discount of 20%, and the next six months we get 15%.

　　Robert: Dan, I can't bring those numbers back to my office - they'll turn it down flat.

　　Dan: Then you'll have to think of something better, Robert.