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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

    I have bought a pair of slippers or sandals. I have the best thought of using them very properly, but the quality and the size of the slippers is not up to the mark as shown in the description or the image. I thought of returning it because it lacks quality issue and perhaps of using that, I have returned it to the reseller through the online platform and they asked me about the review of the product and I have described my issues with the product I have faced. The main problem with the product is the lack of quality and the product is not well described as shown in the e-commerce website. So I gave the feedback to the reseller and he asked me whether to exchange it or to get the refund. I have opted for the refund and I did not feel the way they did not describe this sustainable product, which they have mentioned in the e-commerce properly. That's the main point I was thinking about after returning the product.

    Band 6-7

    One thing that I really wanted to return immediately after purchasing was a power bank that I had ordered a few months back. It's actually one of the most traumatic experiences of my life because the return procedure took months. So what actually happened was I needed to buy a power bank because I travel a lot for work and I'm often away from sources of electricity. So I thought it would be much more convenient to just carry a small power bank to assist me whenever I'm in need. However, upon ordering it from Amazon, I realized that the power bank that I had actually received was not a new product but actually an old used one that the delivery agent scammed me for. So immediately upon receiving it and on closer inspection, I realized that the power bank was already a little bit warm, which was a clear sign that someone had been using it a few minutes back perhaps. When I complained to Amazon, they did not help me at all. They kept putting it off for months. They kept telling me that we are doing an internal inspection and we'll get back to you. But they never actually got back to me and each time I would call them, it would lead to explaining the entire situation again to a new customer serving agent. So at the end, what actually happened was I ended up going to social media and posting about it because I had lost all hope.

    Band 6-7

    The product which I bought, which I felt I should have returned back was a Puma sneakers and the issue was the size because my foot size is 11, UK 11, but unfortunately the the shoes happens to be narrower. I have a flat foot so it is quite uncomfortable to wear the shoes and walk. I tried to, I tried for a replacement and it was successful, was successful but unfortunately the person who who should have come and replaced my shoes came at an uneven time and that that kind of frustrated me because three two three times we two three times he came at an uneven time and he never called called me or he never bothered me if I was there or not he just he just came like that and I have complained to Puma and they said that my chances have been exhausted and only thing they can do is to return the product finally I tried to return the product unfortunately I got that shoes for a lower price I thought increasing the size of the shoes would solve the problem but unfortunately that wasn't the case

    Band 6-7

    I bought a pant a month ago in an offline store and I really wanted to return it. When I first tried it, it was very, it was having a very perfect fit and it was a very good looking pant. But when I came home, my mother saw the pant and the back pocket of the pant was torn. She further, she scolded me very seriously and after when I went to return it, the shopkeeper told they don't return my money. Instead, I need to buy a product in the same money. So, I bought a shirt to compensate that money. The shirt was very good and it was having a best fit for me and I came home with that shirt.

    Band 6-7

    feeling that I wasted. Shopping is my favorite thing. I buy many of things in my daily life. Today, I would like to talk about something that I really wanted to return is laptop. Recently, it was my birthday and I used to take gift for myself. So, I bought a laptop of Apple company. I wanted to return it because when I came home and opened the laptop and I saw there was none of the technology and it was only having back-to-back technology. So, I want to return it and it is very expensive. It was costing around 1,50,000 and now I am feeling bad that I have wasted a lot of money and I feel that I should return it. When I went to the Apple company for the return policy, they declined it because they said you have not taken the insurance policy. And I was feeling very low at the time that I have wasted my father's money and even they are not. And then I have put complaint for the Apple company that recently only I have buy it, please return it so that I can take any other thing from your company. Then I prefer that I can take mobile phone or any other thing which will be useful for me and which will be beneficial for me. That's why I want to return this. And after few days when I put a complaint letter, they accepted the letter and they said that some deduction of amount will be there but your laptop will be returned and we will accept your return policy. So, I was very grateful and happy when they said they will return.

    Band 6-7

    So the purchase I regretted buying is my elliptical. So elliptical is basically exercise machine where it is purchased for gaining and lessening the body fat. So I purchased it for around 30K. So why I regretted is that after purchasing it I never did that, I never worked out in that machine. So whenever I saw that machine I feel like why did I buy this to hang my clothes over there. I just regretted for wasting my money. So I thought there was also a return policy for 2 months. So I just went to, I bought it from Decathlon, a nearby shop here, a budget friendly shop. So I first called them and just verified with them whether this is a, whether it can be replaced or it can be refunded. So they said like there is a refund policy for it. So I just went to the store for returning this product and also after reaching to the shop they just asked me why you bought this, because I only went and bought, so what is the problem, like then all they asked, I just told that I just want to return it because I am not doing it, I feel like I am wasting money over it. So after some arguments they agreed to get back the machine with, not for the original price, they gave only, they lessed 2000 of the initial purchase, so it was around 20, so for 28000 I returned that elliptical machine and after returning home I was much satisfied because I didn't waste any money except that 2000 rupees, so which is so good.

    Band 6-7

    Recently I have bought a Mixi grinder from an online store. My friend suggested me as she was having the same appliance in her kitchen and I have gone through the images online, I have gone through the reviews also and everything was an apple pie order. But when I received the same product it was not working properly and I was really depressed after using that because I bought it for my easability but I was not able to use it. I bought it as I was facing a really challenging task to balance my work and house life as I am living alone away from my house and I have to manage my kitchen also. So I bought it to save my time so that I can spend a little more time on working for my assignments or my work. So when I received it, it was not working properly so I sent the complaint online to the online store also but I did not receive any positive response for that. And after that I called them at the customer service number and told them that if you are not able to repair it, kindly replace it with the other appliance. Somehow they managed to do that. I gave them the address to pick up the damaged product and to replace it with the new one. They did so and after that I was really very happy because the new product that I received really saved my time and now I am really enjoying its working because it saves my time and just because of that appliance I can complete my kitchen work on time and the remaining time I can work on my preparing the work lessons.

    Band 6-7

    Something I bought that I wanted to return were this pair of boots. They were very expensive and I had to fight with my mother to get them. After I got them, I was trying to wear them very often. I... no, no, no, no, no, no, no. Try again. Something that I bought recently was this pair of boots that I really liked. I had seen it online and it was on my wish list since ages. I was very adamant about it that I wanted to buy it from a long time. I convinced my mom. She was not ready to allow me to buy those boots. But after a lot of arguments, we finally decided to buy it. But after I bought it, I was very happy and I used to wear it very frequently. As I started wearing it, I realized that it is causing me a lot of pain while walking and my heels had become swollen. Because the material that was inside, which really seemed comfortable at first, was not at all comfortable and it was poking me. And because of the long use of the heels, because of the long use of the boots, it started... my heels started swelling up. So I filed a complaint on the online site that I have bought it, but they were not ready to take it back as I had used it and I did not even have the price tag that it came with originally. Now I just have to keep the pair of boots and it is just going to be something that I won't be using. But it is still there. I was planning to give it to somebody, but I don't want anybody to have such a painful experience. So I think I'll just keep it with me forever now.

    Band 6-7

    So a few years ago when I just joined hostel, I wasn't really accommodated to the hostel food yet. So I wanted to buy a kettle. A kettle is a very essential appliance while you live in a hostel because it allows you to cook food, instant food mostly and it also lets you boil water whenever you need it. So I really thought it's a must have when I go to the hostel. When I came back home for Diwali holidays, I rushed my mom to the nearby store to get a kettle on a discounted price. We had Diwali sales going on at that time. After I purchased the kettle and when I went back to Chennai, I tried to cook Maggi with it and as soon as I inserted it into the plug point, there was a circuit. In my floor, most of the electricity in my floor stopped working because I tried to use a kettle and thankfully I didn't really get caught because we were not allowed to use kettle in our hostels. After I told this to my mom, she asked me to courier it back to her. So I did just like she said and she tried to return it but they weren't really ready to accept it because I already used the kettle. So then when I went back home the following week, I tried to go to the store myself and tried explaining it to them that I only tried to use the kettle once and off it goes.

    Band 6-7

    I think it will be my laptop, which I bought recently like 2 months ago. When I was buying the laptop, it was quite reasonable. It was quite reasonable, like with the specification as price. It was consisting of the specification of a processor of i5 with a GPU consisting of 2040 RTX. Which was quite good at that time, but I was not knowing that when I will go to college, the requirements will be more. So when I got to know about college requirements, it was about that you need a processor of i7 with a graphic card supporting of 4050, which is not in my laptop. And when I told the shopkeeper that I want to return the laptop, then he told me that it can't be returned. You can resell it, but you will get half of the price you bought it earlier.
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