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Lesson 197 of 240

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Online shopping and returns in English

Ana is waiting for snow boots on Larch Street. She ordered them online, and Tasha is there to help.

When the box comes, the boots do not fit. Tasha has sent things back a dozen times.

By the end, you'll say you ordered something online, ask when it should arrive, and track the package.

You'll also start a return, ask to print a return label, and ask how long the refund takes.

By the end of this lesson

Order online, track a package, and send it back.

  • I ordered it online.I bought this on a website.
  • When should it arrive?What day will it get here?
  • Can I track my order?Can I see where the package is?
  • I'd like to return it.I want to send it back.
  • Can I print a return label?Can I get the sticker I need to mail it back?
  • How long does the refund take?When does the money come back to me?

Scene — the boots don't fit

Ana's apartment on Larch Street. Tasha sits on the couch with her phone. They are waiting for a box of snow boots.

Outside, it is cold. The three-flat porch is empty. No package yet.

Murray is not here. The diner jukebox can wait.

Tasha waits on the couch while Ana checks the empty porch through the window.

Learn — order, track, and return

Six lines cover ordering online, tracking a package, and sending it back.

You'll also ask for a return label and ask how long the refund takes.

  1. Ana holds her phone as Tasha asks whether the boots came from a shop.

    I ordered it online.

    I bought this on a website.

    When to use it: Say this to tell someone you bought it on a website.

    Ordered is the past tense of order.

    Say it: The -ed in ordered sounds like d.

  2. Tasha looks toward Ana with a questioning expression about the delivery day.

    When should it arrive?

    What day will it get here?

    When to use it: Ask this after you buy something online.

    Should here means you expect a day, not a rule.

    Say it: Arrive has stress on the second part.

  3. Ana checks the package tracking on her phone while Tasha sits nearby.

    Can I track my order?

    Can I see where the package is?

    When to use it: Ask this when you want to see where the package is.

    Track here means follow the package on a website.

  4. Ana brings the delivered box through the doorway and tries on one snow boot.

    I'd like to return it.

    I want to send it back.

    When to use it: Say this when something you bought is not right.

    I'd is I would. Learn it as one piece.

    Say it: I'd sounds like one short word.

  5. Ana holds her phone on speaker while asking for the return mail sticker.

    Can I print a return label?

    Can I get the sticker I need to mail it back?

    When to use it: Ask this when you need the sticker to mail the box back.

    A return label is the sticker you put on the box.

    Say it: Label has stress on the first part.

  6. Ana asks Tasha when her money will come back while Tasha listens.

    How long does the refund take?

    When does the money come back to me?

    When to use it: Ask this after you send something back.

    A refund is the money they send back to you.

    Say it: Refund has stress on the first part.

Story — send them back

Watch Ana wait for the boots, then start a return. Tasha has done this many times.

The highlighted words are the lines you just learned.

  1. No box yet. Tasha sits on the couch and looks over at Ana.
  2. TashaSo, did you buy those at the store?She asks if Ana bought the boots in a shop.
  3. AnaI ordered it online.I bought this on a website.
  4. TashaWhen should it arrive?What day will it get here?
  5. AnaThis morning, I think. I'll call them.She thinks the box comes today, so she will phone the shop.
  6. Tasha opens the shop app and puts the phone on speaker.
  7. ClerkThanks for calling. I see an order for boots.She greets Ana and finds the boot order.
  8. AnaCan I track my order?Can I see where the package is?
  9. ClerkWell, it's out for delivery. Should be there soon.The package is on its way to the door.
  10. A knock at the door. Ana brings in the box and tries a boot on. The clerk is still on the line.
  11. AnaIt's too big.This size is bigger than I need.
  12. TashaTell them you want to send them back.She tells Ana to start a return with the shop.
  13. AnaI'd like to return it.I want to send it back.
  14. TashaGood. Ask for the sticker next.She tells Ana to ask for the mail sticker.
  15. AnaCan I print a return label?Can I get the sticker I need to mail it back?
  16. ClerkSure. I'll email it in a minute.She will send the sticker soon.
  17. AnaHow long does the refund take?When does the money come back to me?
  18. ClerkAbout five days after we get the box.The money comes back a few days after they have the box.
  19. TashaI've done this a dozen times.She has sent things back many times.
  20. AnaThanks.a short, casual thank you

Practice — the refund

A short set of exercises waits here. You'll listen, pick, match, fill a gap, and build a line.

They stay short, so the round moves fast.

0 of 11 done

  1. What did you hear?

  2. Match the pairs

    English

    I ordered it online.Drop the Simple English here
    When should it arrive?Drop the Simple English here
    Can I track my order?Drop the Simple English here
    I'd like to return it.Drop the Simple English here

    Simple English

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

  3. What do you say?

    The boots arrived. They do not fit. You tell the shop you want to send them back.

  4. What does it mean?

    Can I print a return label?

  5. Fill the gap

    When does the money come back to me?

    How long does the ____ take?

  6. Build the line

    What day will it get here?

    ?

    Tap the words in order.

  7. Pick the reply

    Clerk says:

    Your order is on the way.

    The package is coming to you.

    And you reply with:

  8. Swap the word

    You need the sticker to put on the box and mail it back.

    Can I print a ____ label?

  9. What do you say?

    You try the snow boots. They are bigger than you need.

  10. True or false?

    This line means the size is bigger than you need.

  11. Pick the reply

    Clerk says:

    I'll email the return label in a minute.

    They will send the sticker soon.

    And you reply with:

Say it — start the return

Now you're Ana on Larch Street with a box on the way. 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. TashaThe shop is on speaker. Go ahead.She tells Ana to talk to the shop now.
  2. ClerkThanks for calling. How can I help?She greets you and offers help.
  3. Ana (you)Tell her you bought them on a website.

    I ordered it online.

    I bought this on a website.

0 of 6 said

Recap — what you can say now

EnglishSimple English
I ordered it online.I bought this on a website.
When should it arrive?What day will it get here?
Can I track my order?Can I see where the package is?
I'd like to return it.I want to send it back.
Can I print a return label?Can I get the sticker I need to mail it back?
How long does the refund take?When does the money come back to me?
Next: lesson 198Giving advice

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