A2 · Elementary · Shopping · 97 words · ~2 min read
🛍️ Returning a Damaged Product
Language focus: Past Simple & Present Perfect · complaints
Last week, Omar bought an expensive coffee machine from a high street department store. When he opened the box at home, he found a deep crack in the side.
Today he takes it back to the customer service desk. “I bought this five days ago, and it is damaged,” he explains, showing the receipt.
“I’m sorry about that,” the assistant says. “Would you like a refund or a replacement?” Omar asks for a refund.
The assistant sorts out the paperwork and returns his money. “We will send back the faulty machine to the supplier,” she says politely.
Key vocabulary (8 words)
- department storenoun
- A large shop that sells many kinds of goods.
- receiptnoun
- A paper that proves you have paid for something.
- damagedadjective
- Harmed or broken.
- refundnoun
- Money that is returned to you.
- replacementnoun
- A new item that takes the place of a faulty one.
- faultyadjective
- Not working correctly; broken.
- assistantnoun
- A person who helps customers in a shop.
- guaranteenoun
- A promise that a product will work, or be repaired or replaced.
Phrasal verbs in this story
- take back — To take back means to return something to a shop.
- send back — To send back means to return something to the sender.
- sort out — To sort out means to deal with or organise something.
Comprehension quiz
-
What did Omar buy?
- A coffee machine
- A television
- A sofa
Show answer
A coffee machine
-
What was the problem?
- It was the wrong colour
- It had a deep crack
- It was too small
Show answer
It had a deep crack
-
How long ago did he buy it?
- Five days
- Five weeks
- Five months
Show answer
Five days
-
What does Omar show the assistant?
- His passport
- The receipt
- A photo
Show answer
The receipt
-
What does Omar ask for?
- A refund
- A discount
- A free coffee
Show answer
A refund
-
“Take back” means to…
- return to a shop
- keep forever
- give away
Show answer
return to a shop
All 20 A2 stories
- 💼 An Interview at the Design Agency
- 🚲 Renting a Bicycle in Amsterdam
- 🩺 At the London Doctor’s Surgery
- 🍽️ A Misunderstanding at the Dinner Party
- ✈️ Rearranging a Flight Departure
- 💻 Negotiating a Remote-Work Schedule
- 🛍️ Returning a Damaged Product (this story)
- 🩼 An Injury at the Physiotherapist
- 🌱 Volunteering at the Community Garden
- 🏰 A Tour of the Historic Castle
- 🚙 Planning a Budget Road Trip
- 🚀 Interview with a Startup Founder
- 🏦 Opening a Bank Account
- 🏢 A Flat Viewing with an Estate Agent
- 🏋️ Signing Up for a Gym Membership
- 🧳 A Lost-Luggage Claim
- 🔊 Complaining About a Noisy Neighbour
- 🚗 A Car Breakdown on the Motorway
- 🎓 A Parent–Teacher Meeting
- 👨🍳 A Weekend Cookery Class
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