Dialogue
Returning an unwanted item in French: exchange, credit or refund?
Explain why a purchase does not suit you, ask to return it and understand an exchange or store credit. Practise a French shop dialogue with English cues.
- A2
- 14 lines
- Practice mode
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In short
Say J’ai acheté cette lampe ici mardi. Elle est trop grande pour mon bureau. Est-ce que je peux la retourner ? Then ask for the outcome you want: un échange (exchange), un avoir (store credit) or un remboursement (refund).
Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn
Adam brings back a lamp that is too large for his desk. Take his part in practice mode: explain the purchase, ask about a refund, then respond to the options the seller gives.
- You
Bonjour. J’ai acheté cette lampe ici mardi.
Greet the assistant and give the item, place and day of purchase.
English
Hello. I bought this lamp here on Tuesday.
- Seller
Quel est le problème ?
English
What is the problem?
- You
Elle est trop grande pour mon bureau. Est-ce que je peux la retourner ?
Explain the size problem and ask to return it.
English
It is too large for my desk. Can I return it?
- Seller
Vous avez le ticket de caisse ?
English
Do you have the receipt?
- You
Oui, le voici. La lampe n’a pas été utilisée.
Hand over the receipt and say the lamp is unused.
English
Yes, here it is. The lamp has not been used.
- Seller
Je vais vérifier l’article. Vous avez aussi l’emballage ?
English
I’ll check the item. Do you also have the packaging?
- You
Oui, j’ai tout remis dans la boîte.
Say everything is back in the box.
English
Yes, I put everything back in the box.
- Seller
Merci. Pour cet achat, nous proposons un échange ou un avoir.
English
Thank you. For this purchase, we offer an exchange or store credit.
- You
Est-ce qu’un remboursement est possible ?
Ask whether a refund is possible.
English
Is a refund possible?
- Seller
Pour cet achat, nous proposons seulement un échange ou un avoir.
English
For this purchase, we offer only an exchange or store credit.
- You
D’accord. L’avoir est valable combien de temps ?
Ask how long the credit is valid.
English
All right. How long is the store credit valid?
- Seller
Six mois, dans ce magasin.
English
Six months, in this shop.
- You
Très bien, je choisis l’avoir.
Choose the store credit.
English
Very good, I’ll choose the store credit.
- Seller
Voici votre avoir. Gardez-le pour votre prochain achat.
English
Here is your credit voucher. Keep it for your next purchase.
un échangean exchange
Focus: another item
faire un échange
Je peux prendre une lampe plus petite à la place ?
Can I take a smaller lamp instead?
un avoirstore credit
Focus: credit towards a later purchase
un avoir de vingt euros
Cet avoir est utilisable en ligne ?
Can this store credit be used online?
un remboursementa refund
Focus: money returned
demander un remboursement
Comment se fait le remboursement ?
How is the refund made?
What Adam brings back
Find:
Retourner names the action of returning the item. Rembourser names returning the money. The seller’s reply gives the options for this purchase. Adam asks how long the credit lasts before choosing it. Two useful follow-ups are Dans quels magasins est-il valable ? and Je peux l’utiliser en plusieurs fois ?