Reporting a Faulty Product
A customer discovers a newly purchased electronic device is not working correctly and needs to report the fault to the store or manufacturer.
Un cliente descubre que un dispositivo electrónico recién comprado no funciona correctamente y necesita reportar la falla a la tienda o al fabricante.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
receipt
A receipt is a piece of paper or digital record that proves you bought something. It's important when returning or exchanging items, as stores need it to verify your purchase.
Un recibo es un papel o registro digital que prueba que compraste algo. Es importante al devolver o cambiar artículos, ya que las tiendas lo necesitan para verificar tu compra.
trouble
Trouble means a problem or difficulty. In this context, 'having trouble with it' means the device is not working properly, which is common when complaining about products.
Trouble significa un problema o dificultad. En este contexto, 'having trouble with it' significa que el dispositivo no está funcionando correctamente, lo cual es común al quejarse de productos.
turn on
To turn on means to start or activate a device, like pressing a button to make it work. It's a phrasal verb often used for electronics.
Encender significa iniciar o activar un dispositivo, como presionar un botón para que funcione. Es un verbo frasal comúnmente usado para electrónicos.
charge
To charge means to add power to a battery, like plugging in a phone or speaker. 'Charging it fully' means waiting until it's completely powered up.
Cargar significa agregar energía a una batería, como enchufar un teléfono o un altavoz. 'Cargarlo completamente' significa esperar hasta que esté completamente cargado.
defect
A defect is a flaw or problem in a product made during manufacturing. 'Manufacturing defect' explains why a new item might not work right away.
Un defecto es una falla o problema en un producto fabricado durante la manufactura. 'Defecto de fabricación' explica por qué un artículo nuevo podría no funcionar de inmediato.
exchange
An exchange means replacing a faulty item with a new one of the same type, instead of getting money back. It's a common option when complaining.
Un intercambio significa reemplazar un artículo defectuoso con uno nuevo del mismo tipo, en lugar de recibir dinero de vuelta. Es una opción común al presentar una queja.
refund
A refund is getting your money back for a product that doesn't work. It's useful to know this word when you want to return something without replacing it.
Un reembolso es recuperar tu dinero por un producto que no funciona. Es útil saber esta palabra cuando quieres devolver algo sin reemplazarlo.
inconvenience
Inconvenience means trouble or annoyance caused to someone. Apologizing for the inconvenience is polite when service goes wrong.
La molestia significa un problema o fastidio causado a alguien. Disculparse por la molestia es cortés cuando el servicio sale mal.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
I'm having trouble with it. It just won't turn on.
This sentence describes a problem clearly and simply. 'Having trouble with' is a common phrase for reporting issues. 'Just won't' emphasizes that it refuses to work, useful for complaints. Use it when explaining faults to customer service.
Esta oración describe un problema de manera clara y simple. 'Having trouble with' es una frase común para reportar problemas. 'Just won't' enfatiza que se niega a funcionar, útil para quejas. Úsala al explicar fallos al servicio al cliente.
Do you have your receipt with you?
This is a polite question to check for proof of purchase. 'With you' means 'on your person' or available now. It's a standard service phrase; learners can use it in retail jobs or when helping others.
Esta es una pregunta educada para verificar la prueba de compra. 'Contigo' significa 'contigo' o disponible ahora. Es una frase estándar de servicio; los aprendices pueden usarla en trabajos de retail o al ayudar a otros.
As you can see, I literally bought it less than 24 hours ago.
This highlights the recent purchase to support the complaint. 'As you can see' refers to visible evidence like the receipt. 'Literally' adds emphasis, meaning exactly or truly. Useful for stressing urgency in returns.
Esto resalta la compra reciente para apoyar la queja. 'As you can see' se refiere a evidencia visible como el recibo. 'Literally' añade énfasis, significando exactamente o verdaderamente. Útil para enfatizar la urgencia en devoluciones.
Have you tried charging it fully or checking the power cable?
This suggests troubleshooting steps politely. 'Have you tried' is present perfect for past actions with current relevance. 'Or' connects alternatives. Service reps use this to diagnose issues before offering solutions.
Esto sugiere pasos de solución de problemas de manera educada. 'Have you tried' es present perfect para acciones pasadas con relevancia actual. 'Or' conecta alternativas. Los representantes de servicio usan esto para diagnosticar problemas antes de ofrecer soluciones.
Yes, I did all that. I even tried a different charging cable, just in case, but no luck.
This responds to suggestions by confirming attempts. 'Did all that' refers back to previous ideas. 'Just in case' means as a precaution. 'No luck' idiomatically means it didn't work. Great for showing you've tried fixes in complaints.
Esto responde a sugerencias confirmando intentos. 'Did all that' se refiere a ideas anteriores. 'Just in case' significa como precaución. 'No luck' idiomáticamente significa que no funcionó. Genial para mostrar que has intentado soluciones en quejas.
Since it's within the return period and you have your receipt, we can certainly offer you an exchange or a full refund.
This explains policy reasons for help. 'Since' introduces cause. 'Within the return period' means inside the allowed time. 'Certainly' shows confidence. Useful for understanding customer rights and service responses.
Esto explica razones de política para ayuda. 'Since' introduce la causa. 'Within the return period' significa dentro del tiempo permitido. 'Certainly' muestra confianza. Útil para entender derechos del cliente y respuestas de servicio.
An exchange would be great. I really liked the features of this model.
This expresses preference politely. 'Would be great' is conditional for suggestions. 'Features' means special functions. Use this when choosing options in complaints to keep a positive tone.
Esto expresa preferencia de manera educada. 'Would be great' es condicional para sugerencias. 'Features' significa funciones especiales. Úsalo al elegir opciones en quejas para mantener un tono positivo.
I apologize for the inconvenience.
This is a formal apology. 'Apologize for' is used with reasons. It's a key polite phrase in service to end interactions positively. Learners should use it when something goes wrong on their end.
Esta es una disculpa formal. 'Apologize for' se usa con razones. Es una frase educada clave en el servicio para terminar interacciones de manera positiva. Los aprendices deben usarla cuando algo sale mal en su lado.