Asking About Offers or Discounts

Asking About Offers or Discounts

Learn how to politely ask a store employee or shopkeeper if there are any sales, offers, or discounts on an item. This lesson provides simple dialogues for a successful shopping experience.

SpeakItGo• FEATURED• 3 min

BEGINNER

Customer:
Excuse me. Is this on sale?
Employee:
No, it's not on sale. The price is thirty dollars.
Customer:
Oh, okay. Are there any offers on shoes?
Employee:
Yes, all shoes are 20% off today.
Customer:
That's great! Thank you for the information.
Employee:
You're welcome. Let me know if you need help.
Customer:
Thanks. I will take these shoes then.
Employee:
Alright. The price will be fifty dollars with the discount.
Customer:
Great! Thank you.
Employee:
You're welcome.

Vocabulary

sale

A period when a store sells goods at reduced prices.

  • Is this book on sale?
  • I bought this during the big summer sale.
  • The store is having a sale on all clothes.

offer

A special price or deal, often for a limited time.

  • Are there any offers on this coffee?
  • They have a special offer: buy one, get one free.
  • This offer is only for today.

Grammar Tip: Using 'Is there...?' and 'Are there...?'

Use 'Is there...?' for singular items or general concepts (e.g., 'Is there a discount?'). Use 'Are there...?' for plural items (e.g., 'Are there any offers on these shirts?').

Common Mistakes

❌ Using a rude tone, e.g., 'Is this cheap?'

✅ Use polite phrases like 'Is this on sale?' or 'Are there any offers?'

Asking 'Is this cheap?' can sound rude and suggest the item is of low quality. It's much better to ask about a discount or sale.

❌ Not saying 'Excuse me' before asking a question.

✅ Always start with 'Excuse me' to get the attention of an employee in a polite way.

In English-speaking countries, it is considered polite to get someone's attention before asking a question, especially in a store.

Notes for Learners

  • Be ready with your opening line, like 'Excuse me, is this on sale?'
  • Listen for words like 'sale,' 'offer,' 'discount,' or 'special.'
  • Be prepared to hear the percentage (e.g., 20% off) or a new price.
  • Remember to thank the employee for the information.

INTERMEDIATE

Customer:
Excuse me, I was just wondering if this jacket has a price reduction.
Employee:
Let me check for you. The price is as marked, but we do have a special promotion today on all outerwear.
Customer:
Oh, that's good to know. What is the promotion?
Employee:
If you buy two items, you get a 15% discount on both.
Customer:
I see. I'm only interested in one, but thank you for telling me.
Employee:
You're welcome. There's also a smaller discount for loyalty card members.
Customer:
I don't have one, but thanks for the offer. I'll take the jacket anyway.
Employee:
Alright. No problem. The total is seventy-five dollars.
Customer:
Here you go. Thanks for your help.
Employee:
My pleasure.

Vocabulary

price reduction

A decrease in the price of something.

  • This item has a price reduction.
  • The store is offering a price reduction on all winter coats.
  • We were happy to see a price reduction on the shoes.

promotion

An activity that advertises and sells a product, often for a special price.

  • There is a special promotion on all electronics.
  • This weekend, the store is running a promotion.
  • The promotion is 'buy one, get one half off.'

Grammar Tip: Using 'I was wondering if...'

The phrase 'I was wondering if...' is a very polite and indirect way to ask a question. It is a great way to start a conversation in a store and sounds more natural than a direct question.

Common Mistakes

❌ Only asking if an item is 'on sale.'

✅ Use other phrases like 'Does this have a price reduction?' or 'Are there any promotions?'

These phrases show a more advanced vocabulary and are common in many stores. They can help you get more specific information about different types of deals.

❌ Insisting on a discount when one is not available.

✅ Accept the store's offer and say 'Thank you anyway.'

It's important to be polite even if you don't get the deal you want. A polite attitude will make the interaction more pleasant for everyone.

Notes for Learners

  • Use polite and indirect questions to start your inquiry.
  • Listen for specific terms like 'promotion,' 'price reduction,' and 'loyalty card.'
  • Be ready to hear about different types of deals, such as percentages off or 'buy one, get one' offers.
  • Practice being polite even if the store doesn't have a deal that works for you.

ADVANCED

Customer:
Good afternoon. I'd like to inquire about the current promotional offers on your laptops.
Employee:
Good afternoon. We're currently running a promotional campaign. All laptops come with a complementary software package.
Customer:
That's a nice incentive. I was hoping for a financial discount on the price itself. Is that a possibility?
Employee:
For our premium laptops, we don't typically offer a direct price reduction, but we can provide a 10% discount on any accessories purchased with it.
Customer:
I see. Thank you for the clarification. In that case, I will proceed with the purchase. What is the total price?
Employee:
The laptop is one thousand dollars. The total will be one thousand and fifty dollars if you add the accessories.
Customer:
Okay. That seems fair. Thank you for your transparency.
Employee:
You're welcome. It was a pleasure assisting you.
Customer:
Thank you as well. Goodbye.
Employee:
Goodbye.

Vocabulary

inquire

To ask for information in a formal way.

  • I'd like to inquire about the current promotional offers.
  • The customer service desk is where you can inquire about returns.
  • She inquired about the price of the ticket.

incentive

Something that encourages a person to do something.

  • The free software is a nice incentive to buy the laptop.
  • The company offers a financial incentive for good performance.
  • Lower prices are a great incentive for customers to buy more.

Grammar Tip: Using the phrase 'I was hoping for...'

The phrase 'I was hoping for...' is a polite and sophisticated way to state what you want or what you expected to find. It is a good way to voice a preference without making a demand.

Common Mistakes

❌ Using simple phrases like 'Do you have a sale?'

✅ Use more advanced and formal phrases like 'I'd like to inquire about the current promotional offers.'

Advanced English is about using precise and formal language in the right context. 'Inquire' and 'promotional offers' sound much more professional and sophisticated than 'ask' and 'sale.'

❌ Being unclear about what you want.

✅ Clearly state what you are looking for, e.g., 'I was hoping for a financial discount on the price itself.'

In advanced communication, it is important to be direct and specific. This prevents misunderstandings and shows you have a clear objective, which the employee will appreciate.

Notes for Learners

  • Use a formal and polite greeting and open your inquiry with a phrase like 'I'd like to inquire about...'
  • Be ready to hear about different types of offers, like 'complementary' items or 'promotional campaigns.'
  • Clearly state your preference for a specific type of discount (e.g., 'financial discount on the price itself').
  • Acknowledge the employee's information and thank them for their clarity and help.