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Describe something you bought that you really wanted to return: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

  • What you bought?
  • Why you wanted to return it?
  • What happened when you tried to return it?
  • And explain how you felt afterward.
Show all 319 answers

Cue 1:What you bought?

  • Begin by clearly stating the item you purchased and its significance to you.
  • Include details about where and when you bought it to set the context.

Example

I bought a pair of expensive wireless headphones from an online store during a sale. I had been wanting them for months because I love listening to music while commuting and exercising.

Cue 2:Why you wanted to return it?

  • Explain the specific reasons that led you to want to return the item.
  • Mention any expectations you had that were not met.

Example

After using the headphones for a few days, I realized that the sound quality was not as good as I had hoped. Additionally, they were uncomfortable to wear for long periods, which was disappointing since I had read many positive reviews.

Cue 3:What happened when you tried to return it?

  • Describe the process you went through to return the item.
  • Share any challenges or frustrations you faced during the return process.

Example

When I contacted customer service to initiate the return, I faced long wait times on the phone. They informed me that I needed to send the headphones back at my own expense, which I found frustrating. Eventually, I managed to send them back, but it took a lot longer than I expected.

Cue 4:And explain how you felt afterward.

  • Reflect on your emotions after the return process was completed.
  • Discuss any lessons learned from the experience.

Example

After finally returning the headphones, I felt relieved but also a bit frustrated with the whole experience. I learned to be more cautious when buying expensive items online and to read reviews more thoroughly before making a purchase.

Conclusion

    Example

    In conclusion, returning the headphones was a challenging experience, but it taught me valuable lessons about online shopping and managing expectations. I now feel more confident in making future purchases.

    Following this structure will ensure you cover all the essential points while providing a clear and engaging response to the cue card topic.

    Tips to answer this Cue Card

    1: Vague Descriptions

    Using vague language can make your response unclear. Avoid general statements that do not provide specific details about the item you bought or your feelings about returning it.

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    Tip

    Be specific about the item, including its name and features. Describe your feelings and experiences in detail to create a clearer picture.

    2: Neglecting Emotional Impact

    Failing to express your emotions can make your answer less engaging. It's important to convey how the experience affected you personally.

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    Tip

    Share your feelings before and after the return process. Use descriptive language to express your emotions, such as frustration or relief.

    Ignoring the Return Process

    Not explaining what happened during the return process can leave your answer incomplete. Candidates often skip this crucial part, which can lead to a lack of depth.

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    Tip

    Detail the steps you took to return the item, including any challenges faced. This adds depth to your story and shows your problem-solving skills.

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    All Answers

    Here are all the answers by real-users practicing speaking for IELTS Cue Cards on our IELTS Prep App.

    Band 6-7

    So, once I bought a cap from a local shop in an unorganized store and at that moment I really liked it but when I bought it to my home, I find it doesn't look good on me. So, I wanted to return it. I was feeling quite awkward while returning it but that was my good decision as I wanted to find a cap that suits on me but the cap I bought doesn't look nice on me so I wanted to return it. I was feeling awkward as it was my first time while I was returning anything which I bought from an unorganized market. Usually I don't visit unorganized stores. I only visit malls and online shopping platforms to shop the things and that experience was really not very nice but I appreciate, myself appreciate me that I returned it on time and the vendor was very nice as he doesn't...

    Band 6-7

    Recently I brought a dress from RGU which was a long till knee and I was so excited about that dress as it was it had that Korean look and the whole attire was so beautiful it has florescent flowers on it which suits me a lot so I ordered it I paid online through gpay and when after 2-3 days I received the order after receiving the order I immediately tried it, it was looking pretty but it was so loose though the size was what I wear but then too it was too loose so I need to return it and I got refund on it whatever cash I paid I got a back to my bank account but this made me feel so low as I was so excited about that dress but it didn't made that good to me.

    Band 6-7

    I recently bought a pair of headphones. Like I literally bought a pair. When I was about to buy it, I read the online specs of it and reviews from the people, but what I did not pay attention on was that it was not, it's speaker, it's in-ear speaker was not up to the mark. Me being a student, I have way too many calls that need to be attended hands-free and the speaker did not allow me to do it hands-free. I had to keep one earbud in my ear and the other one close to my mouth so that the receiver could hear my voice clearly, which was a major downfall of these earbuds. I did not expect it to be in such a bad shape. Moreover, when I thought of returning it, it had crossed its warranty period, so unfortunately I was not able to return it. But it does have some disadvantages like the sound quality during songs. It is really nice and it is appreciated. I really like the color, I really like the box it's put in. But nevertheless, I was not satisfied with the product that I got, but it's okay as of now because I cannot return or dispatch it. Also, I would not suggest anyone to buy from this company as I've had a really bad experience.

    Band 6-7

    I bought a pair of salwar kameez last month which was defective and I found out that it was defective and was missing several gemstones that were supposed to be stitched to the salwar kameez. Actually I was in a bit of a haste when I bought that piece as I was running really late and I wanted to buy clothes for the upcoming wedding and due to all that haste I forgot to check the material and check the article for any potential defects but as soon as I got home I tried that salwar kameez on and I found out that there were several faults in that article therefore I tried to return it but as it was on sale the shopkeeper denied the return policy as it is clearly mentioned in the terms and conditions that they won't return and they won't take anything back in return if the article that is purchased was on sale.

    Band 6-7

    Just a few weeks back, we went for shopping and I had seen a dress which is very beautiful. The color, its texture, everything is so good that I did not even trial the dress. I immediately liked it and I asked him to pack the dress and bought it home. After coming home, I tried the dress and then I got to know that the zip got failed in the back. Then immediately I informed my mom and I told her that was the situation there. Then I called the shop immediately and I asked them if I will be able to return the damaged piece and take a new one. They said to return to the shop immediately so that they will see and do the process. I went to the shop and then I showed them the damaged piece and I raised the complaint regarding selling the damaged products. The manager requested me and said sorry for selling such damaged products and it won't be repeated next time. Then they showed me a new collection of BVA dresses and they asked me to trial and then select if I am completely willing to buy only. Then I saw each and everything in a proper way. I checked everything, the zips, buttons, everything and then I tried it. I took the slip, bill and then I tried it.

    Band 6-7

    A thing that I bought, recently I bought a potty chair for my daughter, I ordered it through shopping online app called amazon, usually if I want to order something, before I order, I go to review page and go through all the reviews and comments on particular product, so I have reviewed for my potty chair and they have given 4 stars out of 5, the comments were very satisfied, so I have decided to buy it, after I received it, I felt disappointment because the quality is not up to the mark and the color also just opposite what I ordered, so I wanted to return it, but they neglect to receive it, so it gave me the worst experience.

    Band 6-7

    I would like to speak about the thing which I bought recently from Zodio store when I went for a dinner a few days back. I have purchased a few t-shirts for my husband which are double XL in size and when I bought it home and when he tried those t-shirts they were somewhat tight for him. So we have decided to return those t-shirts and in exchange we can take some of the other thing which is comfortable for him. So on the next day we have gone to a nearby Zodio store to return the product with the invoice which we had while we purchased the t-shirts at a different store. However they took the product, they checked whether the tags are present or not, they have checked everything and whether it is used or not, they checked everything and also given us a chit so that we can exchange in return for this product. So I have purchased some other t-shirts and shirts for him which are comfortable for him as he is with me at that moment. So yeah, it's a good experience I had with Zodio and I would recommend this place to my friends and my sister who is a shopaholic.

    Band 6-7

    I once brought a foundation and I wanted to return it because it looked horrendous on my skin and I also got acne after I used it. And when I tried returning it, they said that I don't have bills so I cannot return it. But I did have the bill but they were making excuses, petty excuses. And then I thought to myself to just leave it because I did not want to create a scene. And I felt infuriated at that point but it's fine. I let it pass down. And yeah the foundation was really really cool though. Like the packaging was pretty and when I was at the store, it also looked pretty on my skin. But after that, when I came to natural lighting, like when I tried it back home, it looked really bad on my skin. And I break down so much and I literally had a nervous breakdown because I wanted a foundation since like so long. But when I got it and then these were the conditions that I got it in and after I tried to return it, I also couldn't return it. So I just felt really terrible at that point. And my mother, she made lots of fun of me because I don't know for some reason. And I was very nervous when I was asking the shopkeeper to return it.

    Band 6-7

    Recently, I shopped for a t-shirt from an online shopping brand. When I was purchasing it, the color was so pretty and decent. It had very simple design. After few days, when I received the parcel of the t-shirt, I found it in a very bad condition. The t-shirt was not at all good. The color that I got was totally different from the one that I ordered. In addition to it, it was so loose and was very dirty. Moreover, I ordered a floral dress and I got any other print. I tried to return it and put a complaint against it. But there was no response from the seller and I felt so awkward. Also, my money was wasted as it was so expensive. Moreover, it was a branded t-shirt and I didn't expect something like that from brand sellers. However, I felt so awkward and it was a such bad experience for me.

    Band 6-7

    I would like to talk about a pair of sneakers that I recently bought online. So this was a white colored sneakers of red tape company which I bought through Amazon. The reason I want to return this is because it has very poor quality and the image does not do justice to the product itself. The product is totally different in style, design and sole color when compared to the image provided by the seller. I tried contacting the customer support but it was very difficult to reach them. I tried multiple times and failed to reach them. Finally I emailed my issue to them and they reverted it back to me after 7 days. The customer representative called back and told that the return policy is already over for this product and it cannot be returned further. So I was very disappointed by this because it is a very expensive pair of sneakers. It costs around 3000 Rs. So it was one of the most expensive pair that I own. Now I have to wear it compulsorily because I don't have any other choice. But if given the option to return it, I would definitely try to return it and purchase something better with better quality and other brand.
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