Mom: (looking at a vacuum cleaner) How much is this vacuum cleaner?
Vendor: It’s $150, madam.
Mom: (smiling) $150? That seems a bit too high. Can you lower it to $120?
Vendor: (shaking head) Oh no, madam. $120 is too low. This vacuum cleaner is top-quality!
Mom: (raising an eyebrow) Really? I’ve seen similar models for $130 at other stalls. Can you do $130 for me?
Vendor: (thinking) Hmm, I can’t go as low as $130, but I can offer it to you for $140. That’s my best price.
Mom: (smiling) Hmm, $140 is better, but I was hoping for a little more discount. How about $135?
Vendor: (laughing) You drive a hard bargain! Okay, $135 it is. You’re very good at this!
Mom: (grinning) I just know a good deal when I see one! Thank you. I’ll take it for $135.
Vendor: (laughing) Thank you, madam. You’re a tough customer! Enjoy your new vacuum cleaner!
Vocabulary List
- Bargain [ˈbɑːɡɪn] (verb) – To negotiate for a better price.
Example: “I love bargaining when I shop at markets.” - Discount [ˈdɪskaʊnt] (noun) – A reduction in the price of an item.
Example: “The store is giving a 10% discount on all appliances this week.” - Top-quality [tɒp ˈkwɒləti] (adjective) – The best or highest quality.
Example: “This vacuum cleaner is top-quality; it lasts for years!” - Best price [bɛst praɪs] (phrase) – The lowest price a seller is willing to offer.
Example: “I’ll give you the best price I can for this blender.” - Tough customer [tʌf ˈkʌstəmər] (phrase) – Someone who is difficult to negotiate with.
Example: “She’s a tough customer when it comes to buying electronics.”
Grammar Tips:
- Using “How much is”:
- You can ask the price of something by using “How much is” followed by the item.
- Example: “How much is this vacuum cleaner?”
- This is a simple and direct way to ask about the price.
- Using “Can you do [price]?”:
- This phrase is used when you want to suggest a lower price and ask if the seller can accept it.
- Example: “Can you do $120 for me?”
- This is a polite and casual way to bargain.
- Saying “I’ll take it for [price]”:
- This phrase is used to accept a price the seller offers or after a successful negotiation.
- Example: “I’ll take it for $135.”
- It shows that you agree with the price and are ready to make the purchase.
FILL IN THE BLANK
Mom: (looking at a vacuum cleaner) How much is this vacuum cleaner?
Vendor: It’s $, madam.
Mom: (smiling) $150? That seems a bit too . Can you lower it to $120?
Vendor: (shaking head) Oh no, madam. $120 is too . This vacuum cleaner is top-quality!
Mom: (raising an eyebrow) Really? I’ve seen similar models for $ at other stalls. Can you do $130 for me?
Vendor: (thinking) Hmm, I can’t go as as $130, but I can offer it to you for $140. That’s my best price.
Mom: (smiling) Hmm, $140 is better, but I was for a little more discount. How about $135?
Vendor: (laughing) You drive a hard ! Okay, $135 it is. You’re very good at this!
Mom: (grinning) I just know a good when I see one! Thank you. I’ll take it for $135.
Vendor: (laughing) Thank you, madam. You’re a tough ! Enjoy your new vacuum cleaner.