Mom: “Hi, I bought this shirt last week, but it doesn’t fit. Can I return it?”
Store Clerk: “Of course! Do you have the receipt?”
Mom: “Yes, here it is.”
Store Clerk: “Thank you. Would you like a refund or an exchange for a different size?”
Mom: “I’d like a refund, please.”
Store Clerk: “No problem. The refund will go back to your original payment method. Is that okay?”
Mom: “Yes, that’s fine. How long does it take to process?”
Store Clerk: “It usually takes 3–5 business days for the money to show up in your account.”
Mom: “Got it. Do I need to sign anything?”
Store Clerk: “Just this refund receipt. Please sign here.”
Mom: (Signs receipt) “Thank you! Will the refund include the tax I paid?”
Store Clerk: “Yes, the full amount, including tax, will be refunded.”
Mom: “Great. Thanks for your help!”
Store Clerk: “You’re welcome! Have a nice day.”
Child: “Mom, can we go look at the toys now?”
Mom: “Okay, but just to look. No buying today!”
Child: “Aww, okay. Thank you, Mom!”
Vocabulary List
- Return [rɪˈtɜːrn] (verb) – To take an item back to the store.
- Example: “Can I return this shirt?”
- Refund [ˈriːfʌnd] (noun/verb) – Money given back when you return an item.
- Example: “I’d like a refund, please.”
- Receipt [rɪˈsiːt] (noun) – A document showing proof of purchase.
- Example: “Do you have the receipt?”
- Exchange [ɪksˈʧeɪndʒ] (verb) – To swap one item for another.
- Example: “Would you like an exchange for a different size?”
- Original payment method [əˈrɪdʒɪnəl ˈpeɪmənt ˈmɛθəd] (phrase) – The way you paid for the item (e.g., credit card, cash).
- Example: “The refund will go back to your original payment method.”
- Process [ˈprɑːses] (verb) – To complete a series of actions, such as issuing a refund.
- Example: “How long does it take to process?”
- Sign [saɪn] (verb) – To write your name on a document.
- Example: “Please sign here.”
Grammar Tip:
- Polite questions for returns and refunds:
- “Can I return this?”
- “I’d like to request a refund, please.”
- “How long does the refund process take?”
- Polite phrases for assistance:
- “Do you need my receipt?”
- “Will the refund include tax?”
- “Thank you for your help!”
- Using “would you like” for options:
- “Would you like a refund or an exchange?”
- “Would you like the refund in cash or to your card?”
Practice Exercise:
- Fill in the blank:
“I bought this dress yesterday, but it doesn’t fit. Can I ______ it?”
a) refund
b) return
c) exchange - True or False:
“A refund receipt is proof that your refund was processed.” - Short Answer:
What do you need to show the store clerk to return an item? - Multiple Choice:
“What does ‘original payment method’ mean?”
a) The way the store processes refunds
b) The way you paid for the item
c) A new method of payment
Bonus Tips:
- Always keep your receipt for easy returns or exchanges.
- Ask politely when requesting a refund, e.g., “Can I please get a refund?”
- Check the store’s return policy before returning items, especially for sales or clearance items.
FILL IN THE BLANK
Mom: "Hi, I bought this shirt last week, but it doesn’t . Can I return it?"
Store Clerk: "Of course! Do you have the ?"
Mom: "Yes, here it is."
Store Clerk: "Thank you. Would you like a or an exchange for a different size?"
Mom: "I’d like a refund, please."
Store Clerk: "No problem. The refund will go back to your original method. Is that okay?"
Mom: "Yes, that’s fine. How long does it take to ?"
Store Clerk: "It usually takes 3–5 business days for the to show up in your account."
Mom: "Got it. Do I need to anything?"
Store Clerk: "Just this refund receipt. Please sign here."
Mom: (Signs receipt) "Thank you! Will the refund include the I paid?"
Store Clerk: "Yes, the full amount, including tax, will be refunded."
Mom: "Great. Thanks for your !"
Store Clerk: "You’re welcome! Have a nice day."
Child: "Mom, can we go look at the now?"
Mom: "Okay, but just to look. No buying today!"
Child: "Aww, okay. Thank you, Mom!"