ESL Podcast 920 - Leasing Business Equipment
to keep pace with - to keep up with; to do as well as others or to adapt to changing circumstances
It's really hard to keep up with all the new apps for mobile phones.
to raise capital - to obtain a lot of money for a specific purpose that will grow one's business
The school is trying to raise capital to build four new classrooms and expand the library.
to upgrade - to obtain a newer version of something or to improve the existing one to make it more attractive or perform better
It's time to upgrade your cell phone to a smart phone that has Internet access.
equipment - machines that are used for a particular purpose and last for a long period of time, usually for at least one year
Jacques is a professional baker and his kitchen is filled with all kinds of equipment for making fancy pastries and cakes.
supplier - a company that sells and delivers a product that another company needs
Our supplier has decided to discontinue the product, so now we need to find a new supplier.
to extend credit - to allow someone to have something now and pay for it later or slowly over time
Furniture stores sometimes extend credit to consumers, allowing them to pay only a small amount for their furniture and then make monthly payments over the following three years.
installment - one of many small payments made to a single bank or institution, usually to pay back a loan
How many installments are left before we've paid off the car loan?
to lease - to have access to a car, piece of equipment, or a home for a period of time while one is making monthly payments, but then return it to the owner at the end of the agreement period
Why would you want to lease a car instead of buying one?
to end up - to have to do something at the end of a time period; to be in a particular situation at some future point in time
Tracy is desperate to get married and have children, because she doesn't want to end up alone in her old age.
contract - a written legal agreement between two or more people or businesses
Please have our attorney review the contract before you sign it.
flip side - the other side of the coin; the other aspect of something; another consideration; another perspective on something
Bringing an assistant on staff will be expensive, but on the flip side, you'll have more free time to work on the things you enjoy.
saddled with - burdened with; having to do something that is difficult or unpleasant
It must be awful to be saddled with thousands of dollars in credit card debt and car loans.
outdated - old; not new or modern
The home has a nice layout, but the carpet and decorations are really outdated.
to offload - to get rid of something that is unwanted, especially by selling it
How long do you think it will take to offload that old boat?
maintenance - repairs and other work needed to keep a building or a piece of equipment in good condition so that it performs well and does not fall apart
When we bought a new car, the dealership offered us free maintenance for the first year.
purchase option - an opportunity to buy something instead of giving it back at the end of a lease or a similar contract
The tenants are asking whether the homeowner would be willing to offer them a purchase option so that they can buy the home and avoid moving their family.
competitor - a business that offers the same or a similar product or service and is trying to get the same sales and customers that one's own business is trying to get
As soon as we lowered our sales price, all our competitors did the same thing.