付款Payment

又要逾期付款！卖方说什么也不能让它发生，但谈好的生意有如煮熟的鸭子，千万不能让它飞了。于是双方得协议一套付款的方式。

英文正文

A: We are having a little trouble selling the goods, so we want to ask if we could defer payment until the end of the month.

B:I can't accept that, because this will be the second time you have not met the agreed-upon payment schedule. I will get in trouble if I let you defer again.

A: OK. Would it be alright if we make the initial payment in two weeks, then pay in one-month installments after that?

B: I'll have to check with my manager, but I think it will be alright if you promise there will be no more delays after that.

A: I give you my word that payments will be made on time from now on. And I will make the initial payment a lump sum payment of half the total.

B: That is even better. I'll phone you tomorrow to let you know what my manager says.

句型总结
●　我不能接受
1. I can't accept that.
2. I'm afraid I can't agree with you on that.
3. I couldn't agree with you less.

"accept"在此的解释等于"agree"，是‘（心中）接受’的意思。这个句型表示不同意，语气强硬，如在句前加上"I'm afraid..."则有缓和的作用。

短语解说
defer payment 延付货款
"defer" ‘延缓延期’。‘延期付款’是指卖方于货物装运出口之后，将有关的货运单据寄给买方，买方经过一段时期之后，再支付货款。这种方式对卖方风险太大，因此除非买方信誉卓著，或是卖方在进口当地设有分公司，收款较方便外，极少采用。

meet the agreed-upon payment schedule 依约定的
"schedule",‘时间表’；"payment schedule"是‘预定付款的时间’。"agreed-upon"则是从动词词组"agree upon"（同意）转化而来的，意思是‘彼此约定好的、协议好的’，而"meet the schedule"意思是‘按时间表进行、赶得上进度’。故"meet the agreed-upon schedule"是指买方按照双方所约定的付款时间交款。

initial payment 头期款
"initial"‘最初的、开头的’。"initial payment"是指分期付款一开始所付的头期款。

lump sum payment 一次付款
"lump"，‘块’；"sum"，‘数量’。"lump sum"是商业专用语，等于"lump sum payment"，简称为"I.S."。是指不论金额多寡都一次付款，常见于包工工程契约等。是"installment"的反义词。