Essential Shopping Vocabulary
| Word/Phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Bargain | Negotiate a lower price | "Can we bargain on this?" |
| Discount | Reduced price | "Is there a discount for buying two?" |
| Refund | Money returned after return | "I'd like a full refund" |
| Exchange | Swap for different item | "Can I exchange this for a larger size?" |
| Receipt | Proof of purchase | "Do you have the receipt?" |
| Fitting room | Room to try on clothes | "Where are the fitting rooms?" |
| On sale | Currently discounted | "Is this item on sale?" |
| Out of stock | Not currently available | "Sorry, that's out of stock" |
Script 1: Asking About Products & Prices
You: Excuse me, could you help me? I'm looking for a laptop bag.
Staff: Of course! We have several options. Are you looking for something for a specific laptop size?
You: Yes, I need one that fits a 15-inch laptop. Preferably something waterproof.
Staff: This one here is our best seller. It's waterproof, has multiple compartments, and fits up to 15.6 inches.
You: It looks nice. How much is it?
Staff: It's priced at 2,499 rupees.
You: Do you have this in any other colours?
Staff: We have it in black, navy blue, and grey.
You: I'll go with the navy blue one. Is there any discount if I pay in cash?
Staff: We can offer a 5% discount on cash payments.
You: Great, I'll take it then. Can you bill it, please?
Script 2: Bargaining at a Market
You: How much for this leather wallet?
Vendor: This one is 800 rupees. Pure leather, very good quality.
You: 800 seems a bit steep. I saw similar ones at another stall for around 400.
Vendor: But this is genuine leather, sir/ma'am. It will last for years. I can give you for 700.
You: How about 450? I'm buying two — one for myself and one as a gift.
Vendor: For two pieces... I can do 550 each. That's my best price.
You: Make it 500 each and we have a deal.
Vendor: Alright, 500 each. That's 1,000 for both.
You: Done. Do you accept UPI?
Vendor: Yes, scan this QR code.
Script 3: Returning an Item
You: Hello, I'd like to return this shirt, please.
Staff: Of course. May I ask the reason for the return?
You: When I tried it on at home, I noticed a small tear near the collar. It must have been there when I bought it.
Staff: I'm sorry about that. Do you have the receipt?
You: Yes, here it is. I purchased it yesterday.
Staff: I can see it's within our 7-day return window. Would you like an exchange or a refund?
You: I'd prefer an exchange. Do you have the same shirt without the defect?
Staff: Let me check... Yes, we have one more in your size. Let me get it for you.
You: Could I examine it before we finalize? I just want to make sure this one is fine.
Staff: Absolutely. Take your time.
Script 4: Filing a Complaint
You: I'd like to speak with a manager, please. I have a complaint.
Manager: I'm the store manager. How can I help you?
You: I bought this blender last week, and it stopped working after just two uses. The motor makes a grinding noise and it won't blend anything.
Manager: I'm sorry to hear that. Do you have the receipt and warranty card?
You: I have the receipt. The warranty card was inside the box. It says one-year warranty.
Manager: Since it's within warranty and clearly a manufacturing defect, we can either replace it with a new unit or process a full refund. Which would you prefer?
You: I'd like a replacement, but I want to make sure the new one is tested before I take it home.
Manager: Absolutely, we'll test it right here. I apologize for the inconvenience.
You: Thank you for resolving this so quickly. I appreciate it.
Script 5: Online Shopping Customer Service
Agent: Thank you for calling [Store] customer service. How may I assist you today?
You: Hi, I placed an order five days ago and the tracking hasn't updated in three days. The order number is ABC12345.
Agent: Let me look that up for you... I can see the package is currently at the local distribution centre. It appears there's been a delay due to a logistics issue.
You: When can I expect delivery? I needed this for an event this weekend.
Agent: Based on the current status, it should be delivered by tomorrow. However, if you need it urgently, I can escalate this for priority delivery.
You: Yes, please escalate it. And if it doesn't arrive by Friday, I'd like to request a refund.
Agent: I completely understand. I've flagged this for priority. If it doesn't arrive by Friday, please call us back and we'll process the refund immediately. Is there anything else I can help with?
You: No, that's all. Thank you for your help.
Useful Shopping Phrases
Asking for Help
- "Excuse me, could you help me find [item]?"
- "Do you have this in a different size/colour?"
- "Can I try this on?"
- "Where is the [department/section]?"
Making Decisions
- "I'll take this one." (buying)
- "I'll think about it." (politely declining)
- "I'm just browsing, thank you." (not looking for help)
- "Could you gift-wrap this, please?"
Bargaining Politely
- "Is there any room for negotiation?"
- "What's the best price you can offer?"
- "If I buy two, can you give me a better deal?"
- "That's a bit out of my budget. Can you do [lower price]?"
Practice Tips
- Read each script aloud — play both roles for maximum practice
- Try the bargaining script next time you visit a local market (real practice!)
- Watch shopping vlogs on YouTube to hear natural retail conversations
- Practice the return/complaint scripts before you actually need them
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