Sample 17:

Delayed Order with a Long Delay

		*Guardsman* 1900 East Lake Avenue New York, NY 14604 718/555-3000 1-800-MOWLAWN

		March 4, 20xx
		Mr. Thomas Wendell 553 Aberdeen Road Chattanooga, TN 37402

		Dear Mr. Wendell:
When you cannot send part of the order, say something with which the reader will agree.		Your order for a Guardsman 10-horsepower, 40-inch, electric-start Lawn Tractor shows your concern for quality. The Guardsman exceeds the American National Safety Institute's standards and offers the ruggedness and durability of solid steel construction.

Begin your explanation soon. Your reader will want to know why you haven't said that the order has been shipped.		We usually try to fill orders for Guardsman Lawn Tractors in about two weeks, and we can understand your desire to have your Guardsman when the grass begins its spring spurt in April. Because of the steel worker's strike and an unprecedented demand for Lawn Tractors this season, it will take us six to eight weeks to fill your order. For this reason, we want to make sure that you understand your options and believe that you'll find that the Guardsman is worth the wait.

To retain the reader's interest in spite of the delay, resell the product by stressing its features and the benefits the reader will receive.		The electric-start, 35-cubic inch, 10-horsepower engine has plenty of power to tackle the toughest of home-mowing needs. The engine governor automatically increases the gas feed to maintain blade speed in tall grass and weeds--even on steep hills. In addition to the many features designed to make the Guardsman 10 the most versatile home lawn tractor on the market, any family member old enough to drive it can use it with complete confidence. The Guardsman comes with a safety interlock which permits the engine to start only with the mower in neutral and the blades disengaged. Another safety feature you'll appreciate is the automatic cutoff that disengages the blades and kills the engine should the driver leave the tractor seat while the tractor is in gear. Guardsman is the only lawn tractor available with this important feature.

Because the delay is a long one, make clear that you know that the reader has a choice, but encourage the reader to make the choice that will blend your desired outcomes.		Please use the enclosed card or call me at our toll-free number to let us know your decision. We will continue to process your application for credit but will hold your deposit until we hear from you. Now that the steel workers' strike is over, we're building Guardsman 10 Lawn Tractors as fast as possible without sacrificing the famous Guardsman quality. Because we want you to be fully satisfied with your Guardsman, we assemble each one carefully so that the Guardsman you receive will not only work flawlessly but also look good.
Clarify who is to do what next. The last sentence should motivate the reader by emphasizing a reader benefit.		By calling or returning your card today, you can receive your Guardsman 10 before June 15--in plenty of time for you to use it to make those midsummer and early fall chores easier than ever before.

		Sincerely,



		Kimberly Yeager Marketing Manager enc

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