Shopping and paying
Browse without pressure, ask for another size or color, try things on, pay, and return something that doesn't fit.
Assistant: Hi, can I help you find anything?
Sara: I'm just looking, thanks.
(two minutes later)
Sara: Excuse me, do you have this jacket in a medium?
Assistant: Let me check. Yes, here you go.
Sara: Great. Could I try it on?
Assistant: Of course. The fitting rooms are over there.
Sara: Hmm, it's a bit tight. Do you have it in a large?Sara first keeps her freedom to browse, then asks for a size, tries it on, and asks for a bigger one. Each step is one short question."Here you go" is what people say when they hand you something.
I'm just looking, thanks. /aɪm dʒʌst ˈlʊkɪŋ θæŋks/
I don't need help right now; I only want to walk around and see things
Can I help you? — I'm just looking, thanks. — No problem. Let me know if you need anything.
Check yourself
Omid enters a clothing store. An assistant says, "Hi there, can I help you with anything?" He only wants to look around for now. What does he say?
- No.
- I'm just looking, thanks.
- I don't want anything.
- Yes, help me.
Show the answer
I'm just looking, thanks.
Right. It refuses the help, not the person, and it leaves the door open for later.
"in" for size and color, and where "it" goes
To ask for a different version of the same thing, use Do you have this in…? with a size or a color. With the verb try on, a pronoun goes in the middle: try it on, try them on. A full noun can go in the middle or at the end.
- Do you have this in a medium? / in black? / in a size 42?
- Do you have this with black color?
- Could I try it on? / Could I try these shoes on?
- Could I try on it?
Check yourself
You like a shirt, but it's green and you want blue. Ask the assistant.
Show the answer
Do you have this in blue
Right. "In" + color or size, every time.
Fit or suit?
It doesn't fit
A size problem. It's too tight, too loose, too long or too short. The fix is another size: "Do you have a bigger one?"
It doesn't suit me
A looks problem. The size is fine, but the color or style isn't right for you. The fix is a different item, not a different size.
At the register
- Price: "How much is this?" or "How much are these?" To ask about a discount: "Is this on sale?"
- Deciding: "I'll take it." or "I think I'll leave it, thanks."
- Paying: "Can I pay by card?" You may hear "Cash or card?" and "Would you like a bag?"
- Bargaining: in most stores in English-speaking countries the price on the tag is final. Haggling is normal only in places like street markets and second-hand sales.
Check yourself
Which part of the shopping trip does each line belong to?
- It's a bit tight.
- Can I pay by card?
- I'd like to return this.
- Do you have a bigger one?
- Do you take cash?
- Could I get a refund?
Show the answer
Size and fit: It's a bit tight., Do you have a bigger one?
Paying: Can I pay by card?, Do you take cash?
Returning: I'd like to return this., Could I get a refund?
Returning something, politely
- Say what you want
"Hi, I'd like to return this." "I'd like" is the polite form of "I want".
- Give the facts
"I bought it last week. Here's the receipt." Then a short reason: "It doesn't fit", "It's damaged", or "I changed my mind".
- Ask for the result you want
"Could I get a refund?" (your money back) or "Could I exchange it for a larger size?" Some stores offer only store credit, which is money you can spend in that store.
Check yourself
Negar is returning a sweater that is too small. Choose the right verb.
I'd like to return this sweater. It doesn't ____ me. It's too small.
Show the answer
fit
Check yourself
Negar bought shoes three days ago. At home she found they were too small. She goes back to the store with the receipt. What is the best way to start?
- Hi, I'd like to return these. They're too small.
- Excuse me, these shoes are no good. Please give me my money back now.
- I want to change.
- Hello. These shoes don't suit me. How much is its price?
Show the answer
Hi, I'd like to return these. They're too small.
Yes. "I'd like to return these" plus a short reason is polite and clear. The next step is to show the receipt.
Lesson recap
- "I'm just looking, thanks" lets you browse in peace.
- "Do you have this in a medium / in black?" and "Could I try it on?"
- Fit is about size; suit is about looks. "Too tight", "too loose", "too long".
- "How much is it?", "I'll take it", "Can I pay by card?"
- To return: "I'd like to return this" + receipt + reason, then ask for a refund or an exchange.