General English:8

Unit5 Purchasing a product

Vocabulary for making a purchase

Practice the vocabulary for buying things. Select a card and listen to the audio.
Click on 'Language notes' to flip the card and get more information.

Cashier 
n. 出纳员；司库；收银员
vt. 解雇；抛弃

press OK 按确定键

cash
n. 现款，现金
vt. 将…兑现；支付现款

credit card
信用卡

signature 签名

check 检查

slide your card 滑动你的牌

receipt 收据

the cash register  收银机

a department store 百货公司

Making a purchase

The process of paying for a product can differ from country to country.
Here are some things to be aware of when buying something in the US.

Paying for the purchase

Nowadays, few people write checks for their purchases. 
Cards and cash are quick and convenient. It's important to understand that debit cards and credit cards are very different. 
When you use a debit card, the money is taken directly from a bank account. 
When you use a credit card, 
you are borrowing the money from a financial company and have to pay the money back in the future.

Taxes

Most states in the United States have a sales tax, money collected for the government. The sales tax is a percentage of the purchase price.

Returning an item

When you buy something, ask about the store's return policy, the rules for bringing back something that you don't want.
There is usually a time limit for returns – for example, 30 days – and some items may not be returnable.
To return an item, you must have the receipt, the piece of paper that shows the price and that you bought the item at that store.
The store will usually give you a refund, the money you paid for the item.

MAX: Good morning.
CASHIER: Good morning. So, just this belt?
MAX: Yes, thanks, just the belt.
CASHIER: OK. With tax , that's $67.93. How would you like to pay?
MAX: I'll use my card.
CASHIER: Credit or debit?
MAX: Uh, credit card .
CASHIER: OK. Just slide your card.
MAX: OK.
CASHIER: Please sign here .
MAX: Here you go.
CASHIER: And here's your receipt . Have a wonderful day.
MAX: You, too. Oh, by the way, what's your return policy ?
CASHIER: You can return anything before 90 days for a full refund . But keep your receipt.
MAX: Great. Thanks.

Numbers at the cash register

Listen for numbers when you make a purchase in a store. In the US, dollars (written as $) and cents indicate the amount you owe.

That comes to $7.64.

They may also shorten the amount to just the numbers.

With tax, your total is $459.75.

In the UK, listen for pounds (written as £) and pence.

That's £78.22.

£321.28, please.

You may also hear pence said in the same way as the letter p.

That's 58p, please.

Listen for numbers with a time period like days or weeks when talking about a return policy.

You can return anything before 90 days for a full refund.

You can bring the item back within 30 days.

Listen for numbers with a percentage when talking about fabric.

The blouse is 100% cotton.

It's 90% cashmere, 10% polyester.

Making a purchase

Before you make your purchase at a store, remember to talk about the return policy.

A: What's your return policy?
B: You can return any item for a full refund within seven days. 
Remember to bring your receipt.

After totaling up your items, the cashier will tell you the how much you owe.

Your total with tax will be $477.25.

That comes to $17.99.

The cashier may ask you what form of payment you want to use.
A: How would you like to pay?
B: I'll use my debit card.

A: Will that be credit or debit?
B: Debit, please.

If you're paying with a card, the cashier will either ask for your card and slide it for you, or ask you to slide it.

May I see your card, please?
Go ahead and slide your card. Then press 'OK.'

When you use a credit or debit card, sometimes you sign your name on paper or a machine, 
and the cashier gives you a copy of the receipt. 
Sometimes you have to type in your card's personal identification number (PIN). 
When people hand you something in the transaction, they will often use the word here.

A: Could you sign here, please?
B: Sure.
A: OK. Here's your receipt. Have a nice day!