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Lesson 84 of 240

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Refunds and holds in English

Ana's mustard cardigan does not fit. Tasha walks with her to the shop on the boulevard.

At the counter, Ana will ask to exchange it, or to get her money back.

You'll also ask the return rules, keep the receipt, and ask a clerk to hold an item.

Can I exchange this is the casual ask. Keep your lines short at the counter.

By the end of this lesson

Ask about exchanges, refunds, and keeping an item for later.

  • Can I exchange this?Can I bring this back and get another one?
  • Can I get a refund?Can I give this back and get my money?
  • What is the return policy?What are the rules for bringing things back?
  • Can you hold this for me?Please keep this item here for a short time.
  • It doesn't fit.The size is wrong for me.
  • Do I need to keep the receipt?Should I save the paper from the store?

Scene — the bag comes back

Tasha meets Ana outside a clothing shop near the boulevard. Ana has a bag with the cardigan that does not fit.

The clerk waits at the counter. Tasha stands a step behind and coaches in a low voice.

Tasha and Ana meet outside a clothing shop, and Ana carries a shopping bag.

Learn — exchanges and refunds

Six lines cover exchanges, refunds, return rules, holds, fit, and receipts.

You'll ask the clerk in short, clear questions. Use them at the counter.

  1. Ana carries her bag toward the counter while Tasha coaches her from a step behind.

    Can I exchange this?

    Can I bring this back and get another one?

    When to use it: Ask this when you want a different size or color.

    Can I is a casual way to ask at a shop.

    Say it: The stress is on the second part of exchange.

  2. Ana places the folded cardigan on the counter to show that its size is wrong.

    Can I get a refund?

    Can I give this back and get my money?

    When to use it: Ask this when you want your money back.

    Refund is the money the shop gives you back.

    Say it: Stress the first part of refund.

  3. The clerk gestures toward another size while Ana asks about the shop’s return rules.

    What is the return policy?

    What are the rules for bringing things back?

    When to use it: Ask this to learn the shop's rules for bringing things back.

    Learn return policy as one piece for the shop's rules.

  4. Ana offers a hanger across the counter as Tasha watches from behind her.

    Can you hold this for me?

    Please keep this item here for a short time.

    When to use it: Ask this when you need time before you buy.

    Hold here means keep the item at the shop.

  5. Ana holds the cardigan against herself while the clerk points toward a larger option.

    It doesn't fit.

    The size is wrong for me.

    When to use it: Say this when clothes are the wrong size for you.

    Doesn't is short for does not.

  6. Ana holds a blank paper toward the clerk to ask whether she should keep it.

    Do I need to keep the receipt?

    Should I save the paper from the store?

    When to use it: Ask this so you can bring an item back later.

    Receipt is the paper that shows you paid.

    Say it: The to in need to sounds like tuh.

Story — tasha coaches

Watch Ana take the cardigan back. Tasha keeps her answers short at the counter.

The highlighted words are the lines you just learned.

  1. They stop inside. Ana holds the bag.
  2. TashaSo, tell them it doesn't fit. Short is good.She tells Ana to say the size is wrong, in few words.
  3. AnaI will explain the sleeves.Ana wants to give extra details about the problem.
  4. TashaNo, just the size.Tasha wants a short answer, not extra details.
  5. They walk to the counter.
  6. AnaExcuse me. It doesn't fit.She gets the clerk's attention and says the size is wrong.
  7. ClerkOkay. Do you want another size?The clerk offers a different size.
  8. AnaMaybe. What is the return policy?She might want another size, then she asks the return rules.
  9. ClerkSeven days. Exchange, or a refund. Your choice.She can change it or get her money, within seven days.
  10. AnaDo I need to keep the receipt?Should I save the paper from the store?
  11. ClerkYes. I need to see it.The clerk needs the paper from the store now.
  12. AnaCan I exchange this?Can I bring this back and get another one?
  13. ClerkYes. I can do that.She agrees to the exchange.
  14. AnaCan I get a refund?Can I give this back and get my money?
  15. The clerk points to a bigger cardigan.
  16. ClerkI can refund it, or hold a bigger size.The clerk offers money back, or to keep a bigger one.
  17. AnaCan you hold this for me?Please keep this item here for a short time.
  18. ClerkSure. I'll hold it until tomorrow.She will keep the item at the shop until tomorrow.
  19. TashaGood. Thank you. We'll be back.Tasha thanks the clerk and says they will return.

Practice — at the counter

Ten quick exercises wait here. You'll listen, pick, match, fill a gap, and build a line.

They stay short, so the round moves fast.

0 of 10 done

  1. What did you hear?

  2. What does it mean?

    It doesn't fit.

  3. What do you say?

    You brought a sweater back. You want your money, not another size.

  4. Build the line

    What are the rules for bringing things back?

    ?

    Tap the words in order.

  5. Fill the gap

    Should I save the paper from the store?

    Do I need to keep the ____?

  6. Pick the reply

    Clerk says:

    What's wrong with it?

    She asks what the problem is with the item.

    And you reply with:

  7. Swap the word

    You like this sweater. You need a few minutes. Ask the clerk to keep it.

    Can you ____ this for me?

  8. Match the pairs

    English

    Can I exchange this?Drop the Simple English here
    Can I get a refund?Drop the Simple English here
    What is the return policy?Drop the Simple English here
    Can you hold this for me?Drop the Simple English here

    Simple English

    Drag a Simple English line onto its English, or tap one and then the other.

  9. What do you say?

    You need the clerk. She is looking at a screen.

  10. Pick the reply

    Clerk says:

    I'll hold the bigger one until tomorrow, like you wanted.

    She will keep the bigger size. That is what you asked for, and you are happy.

    And you reply with:

Say it — ask the clerk

Now you're Ana at the shop with Tasha. When it's your turn, tap the microphone and speak the line.

Tap play first if you want to hear the line. Your recording stays on your device.

  1. TashaShort is good. Start with the size.She wants Ana to begin with a short line about size.
  2. Ana (you)Tell the clerk the size is wrong.

    It doesn't fit.

    The size is wrong for me.

0 of 6 said

Recap — what you can say now

EnglishSimple English
Can I exchange this?Can I bring this back and get another one?
Can I get a refund?Can I give this back and get my money?
What is the return policy?What are the rules for bringing things back?
Can you hold this for me?Please keep this item here for a short time.
It doesn't fit.The size is wrong for me.
Do I need to keep the receipt?Should I save the paper from the store?
Next: lesson 85Excuse me, may I?

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A quick round with the Yak Cards each day keeps your shop lines ready.

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