I have here our price sheet on a F . O . B . basis . The prices are given without engagement .   Good , if you ’ ll excuse me , I ’ ll go over the sheet right now .   Take your time .   I can tell you at a glance that your prices are much too high .   I ’ m surprised to hear you say so . You know that the cost of pro - duction has been skyrocketing in recent years .   We only ask that your prices be comparable to others . That ’ s reasonable , isn ’ t it ?   Well , to get the business done , we can consider making some concessions in our price . But first , you ’ ll have to give me an idea of the quantity you wish to order from us , so that we may adjust our prices accordingly .   The size of our order depends greatly on the prices . Let ’ s settle that matter first .   Well , as I ’ Ve said , if your order is large enough , we ’ re ready to reduce our prices by 2 percent .   When I say your prices are much too high , I don ’ t mean they are higher merely by 2 or 3 percent .   How much do you mean then ? Can you give me a rough idea ?   To have this business concluded , I should say a reduction of least 10 percent would help .   Impossible . How can you expect us to make a reduction to that extent ?   I think you are as well - informed as I am about the market for chemical fertilizers . It ’ s unnecessary for me to point out that sup - ply exceeds demand at present and that this situation is apt to continue for a long time yet . May I suggest that you call your home office and see what they have to say ?   Very well , I will . 