A2 · Elementary · Daily life, shopping
Return something to a shop
4 short A2 English scripts to practise how to return something to a shop. Read one out loud, record yourself, listen back and try again.
Key phrase I bought this yesterday, but…
Two days, already broken
Hi, I bought these headphones here on Saturday, and they're already broken. The left side doesn't work at all. There's no sound, just a strange noise, like the sea.
Here's the receipt. I paid by card. I only used them twice, on the bus to work, so I don't think it's my fault. They were in their box the rest of the time.
Can I get a refund? Or, if you have the same model, I'm happy to exchange them. Actually, a refund is better. I think I want a different brand now! Thanks for your help, and sorry, I know it's really busy today.
American English
Hi, I bought these headphones here on Saturday, and they're already broken. The left side doesn't work at all. There's no sound, just a strange noise, like the sea.
Here's the receipt. I paid with a card. I only used them twice, on the bus to work, so I don't think it's my fault. They were in their box the rest of the time.
Can I get a refund? Or, if you have the same model, I'm happy to exchange them. Actually, a refund is better. I think I want a different brand now! Thanks for your help, and sorry, I know it's super busy today.
It's like a tent!
Hello, I'm calling about my order. The parcel arrived this morning, but it's the wrong size. I ordered a medium jacket, and this is extra large. It's like a tent! My flatmate laughed for ten minutes.
The delivery was really fast, so thank you for that. But I need to send back the jacket. Do I need a label, or can I print one from the website? I don't have a printer at home.
And do I have to pay for postage? Free? Brilliant. I'll take it to the post office tomorrow. Can you send me the medium in the same colour? Thanks, and have a good day.
American English
Hello, I'm calling about my order. The package arrived this morning, but it's the wrong size. I ordered a medium jacket, and this is extra large. It's like a tent! My roommate laughed for ten minutes.
The delivery was really fast, so thank you for that. But I need to send back the jacket. Do I need a label, or can I print one from the website? I don't have a printer at home.
And do I have to pay for shipping? Free? Awesome. I'll take it to the post office tomorrow. Can you send me the medium in the same color? Thanks, and have a good day.
The toaster that can't decide
Hi, can I return this toaster, please? I bought it here last week for my brother's birthday. He opened it last night and tried it. I think it's broken.
Look, it only toasts one side of the bread. The other side stays white and cold! My brother said, "It's a toaster for people who can't make up their minds!" He laughed so much that he forgot to eat.
I've got the receipt in my bag... one second... Oh no. I can't find it. Wait, here it is, in my coat! Great. I'd like an exchange, please, not a refund. He still wants a toaster. A good one this time!
American English
Hi, can I return this toaster, please? I bought it here last week for my brother's birthday. He opened it last night and tried it. I think it's broken.
Look, it only toasts one side of the bread. The other side stays white and cold! My brother said, "It's a toaster for people who can't decide!" He laughed so hard that he forgot to eat.
I have the receipt in my purse... one second... Oh no. I can't find it. Wait, here it is, in my coat! Great. I'd like an exchange, please, not a refund. He still wants a toaster. A good one this time!
Twelve gnomes and no lamp
Dilara, you won't believe this. I ordered a lamp online, and today a big parcel came. The delivery man was smiling. Now I know why.
I opened the box, and inside there were twelve little garden gnomes! Twelve! They all look at me with red hats and big smiles. It's the wrong order, of course. I don't have a garden. I have a balcony with one plant.
So I phoned the shop, and a very nice woman said sorry about ten times. She's going to email me a label, and I can post the box back for free. I get a full refund too. But honestly, I'm a bit sad. I named one gnome Kevin.
American English
Dilara, you won't believe this. I ordered a lamp online, and today a big package came. The delivery guy was smiling. Now I know why.
I opened the box, and inside there were twelve little garden gnomes! Twelve! They all stare at me with red hats and big smiles. It's the wrong order, of course. I don't have a yard. I have a balcony with one plant.
So I called the store, and a very nice lady said sorry about ten times. She's going to email me a shipping label, and I can mail the box back for free. I get a full refund too. But honestly, I'm kind of sad. I named one gnome Kevin.
Key words
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| receipt noun | the paper that shows what you paid |
| broken adjective | not working any more |
| refund noun | money that a shop gives back to you |
| exchange verb | to give something back and take another one |
| bought verb | past of buy: paid money for something |