How to Shop in English
Posted by: Tara BenwellYour questions: Ask a cashier or salesperson
- Excuse me…how much is…?
- What does …. cost?
- How much is the tax?
- Is “this” on sale?
- What is the price after the discount?
- What’s the total?
- How much do I owe you?
- Do you take/accept cash? (OR credit card, debit, cheques)
- Is this new or used?
- May I try this on?
- Do you have “this” in…? (a different size: extra small, small, medium, large, extra large)
- Can you tell me where the … are? (apples, coats)
- Can I return this if I need to?
Your problems: Tell a clerk or salesperson
- I’m afraid, you gave me the wrong change. (incorrect money back after you make a purchase)
- It doesn’t fit.
- It’s the wrong size.
- I need to return this. OR I need to take this back.
- I lost my receipt. (paper that shows proof of purchase)
- Excuse me, I can’t find the … (ladies clothing, men’s wear, toy section)
Special Offers and Deals: Watch for these signs and ads
- Buy one get one free
- Buy one get 50% off your second item
- Buy now pay later
- Pay no money down (no down payment is required)
- Kids eat free (usually with the purchase of an adult meal)
- Senior’s discount (people 65 and older get a reduced price)
- All out-of season stock on sale (ex. summer clothing is on sale at the end of summer)
Restrictions: Watch for these Warnings (sometimes in small print)
- Deposit required (you must pay a small amount to hold the item)
- No delivery
- No exchanges or refunds (you can’t bring an item back if you decide you don’t like it)
- Exchange only (you can’t get money back; you can change for a different in-store item)
- No coupons on/during/after… (often on a certain day or at a certain time)
- Discount or coupon not valid with other special offers
- Expires … (date you can no longer use coupon or item)
Bonus Expressions to remember
- It’s okay to put something back on the shelf if the price is too high. The clerk might put it away for you. Smile and say, “Sorry, that’s more than I thought it would be.”
- It’s polite to have small talk with the cashier. If the price is great, smile and say, “That’s a good deal!”
Survival Challenge: Watch the video “Let’s go Shopping”. What does the shopper say when she decides to buy an item? Put your answer in the comment section.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-1tfWzHgOA[/youtube]
Tara Benwell is a Canadian freelance writer and editor who specializes in materials and articles for the ELT industry.
© EnglishClub.com
9 comments
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Ehteram says:
Really helpful and comprehensive. Thanks a lot.
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Romiesa Ibraheem says:
She said: she’ll take it.
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shanmuga priya .m says:
its so usefull for me
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regine says:
Thank you! I’ll use this on my English class with my Korean student.
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Gerry Espinoza Velarde says:
Very useful for my teachings in my Saturday’s English classes as ESL with Mexicans girls who I suspect they are also (as myself) struggling with bad customer service at the local super market near the community college. Therefore by starting with a well educated customer on the know how for better super market (HEB-Walmart) things could change locally …if at the national super market the Mexican prices per kilo are competing with the imported HEB and the Walmart also offers fairly at my big northern city.
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Dhea Amanda Putry says:
The shopper say: “I’ll take it!”
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ARI SURYANA says:
this is very helpful
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malik je t'aime says:
malik je t’aime
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jul le sang says:
cool la mif aller me voir en concer cher ta mere la pute margaux la pute que j’aime de tout mon <3
2AVC2 la miff