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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 333 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 >7

    Today I would like to explain about I purchased one dress material through online that is a jumpsuit like online I like this color and the pattern and also the descriptions say that it is pure cotton unfortunately it came when the when the material delivered it's entirely different color and pattern and additionally it's linen this material is polyester I never expect this type of linen and especially like during this summer seasons polyester is very it's very irritating my skin so I tried to return back through online itself and I sent a a message to the online through the online to the manager also and he replies me like apologize also so I after I try I after one day within that 24 hours I returned back this stuff fortunately after one week I got a new dress with my favorite color it's like a pink the same pattern I wish to get and moreover that I get the linen material also that's made me so happy and I send a message to the manager I got the really expected material and stuff

    Band >7

    I am a frequent buyer of shoes and watches. Last year I bought a shoe from Angamaly, a small town in Kerala. After some days I realized that the size was not correct. The correct size of my foot is 8 but the shoe was 9. It made me some unconvinced when I wear it. But after so many days of thinking, I decided to return it to the shopkeeper. But when I tried to give it back to the shopkeeper, the shopkeeper said that he will not take it back because I used it for 2-3 times at that moment. That's why he said that he can't take it back. After so many arguments, I made a decision to not give it back to him. I bought it to my home itself at that day. But nowadays I am not using it. It is simply placed in my rack. Nowadays I don't have any use of it. Although it is simply stored as a gift.

    Band 7

    About 6 months ago, I ordered a brand new smartphone from a well-known online shopping platform. I was really excited because it was the model that I had been saving up for and I had high expectations from the product and their deliveries. When I unboxed the phone, I noticed a small scratch on the screen which was quite disappointing. I immediately contacted the company's support team through their helpline. I spoke with the company's customer service representative and later re-scalted the matter to a senior manager because I wanted a quick resolution. My main complaint was that the phone I received was not in perfect condition, though it was advertised as brand new. I provided photographic evidence of the screen scratch and my order details also. I explained that I had chosen their platform specifically because of the reputation for quality and reliability, so expected a replacement or refund. To my relief, the company responded promptly. They apologized for their inconvenience and arranged a pre-return pick-up the next day. Within three days, I received a brand new replacement phone in perfect condition along with the monitor as compensation for the trouble. I was extremely satisfied because not only the issue was solved quick and professionally but the company also demonstrated that they valued me as a customer. This experience actually strengthened my trust toward them.

    Band 7

    A few months ago I bought a pair of wireless earbuds online from a popular e-commerce platform. I had read good reviews and the brand was well known for quality products so I didn't hesitate much before ordering. They arrived within 3 days and at first glance the packaging looked premium and the design seemed sleek. However, once I started using them, I immediately noticed several issues. The sound quality was disappointing, it lacked bass and clarity. Even worse, the left earbud kept disconnecting randomly during calls and music playback. I tried resetting it multiple times and even updated the firmware but nothing worked. For the price I paid, I definitely expected better performance. I decided to return the product through the app. Initially the process seemed straightforward but when the delivery agent came to pick it up, he refused saying the return was marked as not eligible for pickup. I contacted customer service and after a long back and forth of emails and screenshots, they finally agreed to process a refund but it took nearly 2 weeks. After the whole ordeal, I felt frustrated and let down. I had trusted the brand and the platform and even though I eventually got my money back, the experience made me more cautious about online shopping. Now I always double check the return policy and read negative reviews too, not just the glowing ones. It was definitely a learning experience.

    Band 7

    A thing I bought that I really wanted to return happened in the year 2015 when I bought 30 computers from a shop called APS based in Trivandrum city. It was my friend Ami who recommended this shop and convinced me to buy all the 30 computers needed for my business from here. Even though it's been nearly 10 years since this incident happened, I still remember it like it was just yesterday. I had just finished my undergraduate course and since there were not many jobs around, I decided to start an internet browsing center. For that purpose, I bought around 30 computers from APS. However, two days after installation, the computers stopped functioning for some strange reason and when I contacted the retailer, he said he wouldn't be able to do much to rectify the situation since it was the problem of the software and not with the hardware. So I contacted a computer professional who checked my computers and certified that it was a problem of the hardware and nothing but. So I took the matter again to the retailer who refused to do anything at all about it and washed his hands off. So I had no option but to take the matter to the consumer court and after a gap of one year, I got a verdict in my favor and all the computers were replaced. This incident left me fuming in many ways. Firstly, it was quite a stressful period for me. I wanted to focus on my business and make it a success but I just couldn't. The issue was hanging at the back of my mind all the time. In fact, it was so stressful that I even managed to develop complications like diabetes at that time. Secondly, I lost a lot of business because of this incident and also my reputation got irreparably damaged due to this episode and people started...

    Band 7

    One item I purchased and later seriously considered returning was a smartphone that I bought from an online store about 6 months ago. I had been eagerly waiting to upgrade my old phone and finally decided to buy a popular model based on positive reviews and specifications. However, soon after receiving the device, I realized it had several issues including frequent freezing, poor battery life, and a malfunctioning camera. I was quite disappointed because I expected better performance given the price I paid. Moreover, the phone did not meet my requirements for work and personal use. Consequently, I wanted to return it and get a refund or exchange it for a better model. However, after contacting customer service, I was informed that the return window has expired. Instead, they offered free repairs under warranty, which I accepted. Although it was not the ideal situation, the repairs improved the phone's functionality considerably. This experience taught me the importance of thoroughly researching and testing products before making a purchase, especially expensive electronics.

    Band 6-7

    The thing which I bought but tend to return is the clothes which I buy online from various online platforms like Amazon and Prefacut because these are the platform which offers wide variety of clothes such as T-shirt, trousers and shirt in a very cheap or in a discounted rates. Therefore, I choose this platform often and buy many of my clothes from this platform. One memory which I want to describe is about a T-shirt which I like it very much when I see it for the first time. It was black in color with different shades on it and it was a very decent T-shirt and I make my mind to buy it and it cost for a decent rate which I can afford it easily. But the problem is when I received the T-shirt, the size was improper. However, I select the size perfectly but it was some error related to size and I decided to return it back and to order the perfect size. When I write a mail towards the particular shop, in response they told me that they have no written policy and therefore they couldn't take the T-shirt back and I felt very upset because I didn't pay attention to it. However, it was their fault to send me the false message.

    Band 6-7

    There is a website called Teera Beauty and it sells skincare and makeup for everyone. From that website, I purchased a lip oil and I was very excited to try it out. When my package came, I opened it and I tried it on and it was quite expensive. It was around ₹2,000 but it didn't really suit me because for ₹2,000, it was just a very ordinary lip gloss finish which I could have gotten from a ₹50 to ₹100 lip gloss as well. I don't know why I spent ₹2,000 on such a normal lip gloss. So there was a 15-day return policy from the website and I tried the portal. I sent the pictures of the lip gloss. I stated the issue as well but they couldn't really approve of it because the policy said that I can only return the product if it is damaged. I tried to call the executive as well but they didn't really make out and they couldn't really do anything about it. So in the end, I just had to keep it and the quantity as well is very low. So I just kept it and well, I still use it. So that is the thing I wanted to return but I could not.

    Band 6-7

    One thing which I bought and I regretted immediately was a bag which I ordered online through Amazon. Once I received it, I immediately wanted to return that. It was a huge disappointment. So, I saw a black color bag with crystals embedded on it very beautifully. In the pictures, it was depicted as a very huge purse which could be carried on the shoulder. It also said that it could fit an iPad. So, I thought I could carry it for work parties or some informal meetings.

    Band 6-7

    I bought a t-shirt recently from a store called website which was like an oversized t-shirt that I could pair it with a cool pair of baggy jeans. I really liked the fit when I tried it in the store but later after I came back and tried to pair it with my own pair of jeans I didn't really like the fit and that's the reason why I wanted to exchange or return it. When I went to the store to return my purchase the store really helped me in throughout the process. They took my apparel and gave me a credit note in exchange for which the I could use the amount to buy something else from the store. It could be anything else like footwear or even home accessories or anything like that and I really liked the store because they cooperated really well and this option of you know returning back the thing that you bought gives you a lot of freedom and satisfaction because you don't really have to adjust and keep the clothes that you don't like. That's it.

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