Informal Italian Questions (e-commerce)

[Citroënbender]

I’m wanting to write fairly informally - much as one might in English - to an Italian broker of NOS and overstock parts.

I need the article - especially as it’s a killer price and long out of production - but don’t want to sound like a Nigerian scammer.

Basically to check the availability and (automatically) estimated shipping cost of an item, before throwing my money into cyberspace. Kind of like this:

Hi,

Can you tell me if this is still available, and is your shipping estimate correct?

Thanks, (first name)

Is it these days acceptable/normal to initiate contact with “Salve” - or only when returning prior correspondence?

If I want to be polite, do I say “please advise” or “advise, please”? As in, does the per favore come first or second?

For the meat of my inquiry, Google offers:

…questo articolo è attualmente disponibile e la stima della spedizione in Australia è corretta?

Is it just me, or is this a bit clumsy?

Also, for signing off an initial enquiry, what’s the most “everyday” salutation?

Advice received gratefully.

[whitelion65]

I don’t see how you’ll get anywhere without a little bit of gesticulation!

[simon varley]

I'm sure they speak better English than most of us. Kudos for attempting to use their native language, but perhaps also add the English after?

[Citroënbender]

Previous experiences don’t always bear out the idea that Europeans are proficient in English. Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Germany and the Netherlands, absolutely - but France definitely respects an effort that doesn’t come straight out of the Google translator.

I’m wanting to extend the same courtesy to Italians, it doesn’t cost too much of my time to ask here and fossick through the ‘net (problem with the latter being many duplicate responses of unknown accuracy). Perhaps others here will remember the TV advertisement from around 1985 with Australians in Paris asking directions in bad French from a gendarme; “I want to mount your tower, will you please expose yourself to me?” That’s the kind of faux pas I’d rather avoid.

[FTE217]

CB, your translation in your original post reads pretty OK to me.

Trouble with translator it doesn't take into account the 30 odd dialects from north to south regions but companies are pretty used to enquiries not being on the mark.
I've been dealing with Nth Italy and surrounds for years.

[Citroënbender]

Grazie.

What about the “advise, please” or “please advise”?

I know in French the “please” follows. Is it the same in Italian? Consigliare, per favore…

[FTE217]

yep thats cool - tutto bene

[Citroënbender]

And done. Waiting to see if the laughter in Udine can be heard from here.

[Citroënbender]

I love it; totally avoiding an answer on whether the stock is still there. But at least giving a clear reply on the freight charges.

Buongiorno,

In merito alla sua richiesta siamo a comunicarle che il prezzo della spedizione è quello che vede sul sito.

Cordiali saluti.