特别广播英语第 348 课:Getting the Most From Online Shopping
大家e起来上网购物-2 Internet auctions function in much the same way as regular auctions, though with a longer time limit. 网络上的拍卖运作方式大体与一般的拍卖无异,但有更长的拍卖期限。
Information about items for sale is posted on an auction site and anyone can make a bid within the stipulated time. 交易物品的信息会登在举办拍卖的网站,每个人都可以在规定期限内竞标。
The successful bidder is informed by e-mail. Then, payment and delivery, which are carried out by prearranged methods, follow. 中标者会以电子邮件得到通知,再依事先约定的方式付款、取货。
There are two kinds of auction sites: business-to-person and person-to-person. 举办拍卖的网站有两种:商品对人的交易及人对人的交易。
In the former, it is the Web site that has possession of the goods on sale and accepts payment for them, whereas a person-to-person auction site merely provides a means by which sellers can sell their goods directly to customers. 前者,网站拥有待价而沽的物品并收取拍卖所得;后者则只提供卖方直接销售物品给顾客的途径。
As with other forms of Internet shopping, credit cards are usually the safest and most convenient way to pay, 对其他形式的网上购物来说,信用卡是最安全且最方便的付款方式,
but in a person-to-person deal, the seller may be unwilling to accept them, insisting instead on a cashier's check or money order before sending the merchandise. 但在人对人的交易中,卖方可能不愿接受这种付款方式,而是要求买方先付清货款或支票才交货。
In that case, some sites recommend an escrow service that will handle the transaction independently for a fee of around 5 percent of the cost of the item. 因此,某些网站会建议使用一种“委托契约”(由第三方独立处理交易)的模式,另加收约货品价格百分之五的费用。
Practically anything can be bought on-line and, provided the appropriate caution is exercised, Internet shopping can be a rewarding alternative to trudging through the stores. 几乎所有商品都能在线购得,只要处理得当,网上购物会是除了在商家间奔波之外另一项令人满意的选择。
So sit back, log on, and save the workout for the gym. 所以,安靠椅背,开机上线吧!要锻链身体,还是去健身房报到吧!