Asking for Help with Payment Issues
A customer is having trouble with their credit card or mobile payment at the pump and asks the cashier for assistance.
Un cliente tiene problemas con su tarjeta de crédito o pago móvil en la bomba y pide ayuda al cajero.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
trouble
Means a problem or difficulty. In this dialogue, it's used to politely describe an issue, like 'having a bit of trouble' to soften the complaint.
Significa un problema o dificultad. En este diálogo, se usa de manera educada para describir un asunto, como 'tener un poco de problema' para suavizar la queja.
credit card
A plastic card used to pay for things without cash. Common in the US for payments at gas stations; say 'my credit card' when it doesn't work.
Una tarjeta de plástico usada para pagar cosas sin efectivo. Común en EE. UU. para pagos en estaciones de gasolina; di « mi tarjeta de crédito » cuando no funciona.
tapping
Touching a card lightly on a machine to pay without inserting it. This is a modern contactless payment method often used at pumps.
Tocar ligeramente una tarjeta en una máquina para pagar sin insertarla. Este es un método de pago sin contacto moderno que se usa a menudo en surtidores.
declined
Means the payment is rejected by the bank or system. Useful when cards don't work; it's a common error message in stores.
Significa que el pago es rechazado por el banco o el sistema. Útil cuando las tarjetas no funcionan; es un mensaje de error común en las tiendas.
finicky
Describes something that is picky or unreliable, like a machine that doesn't work properly. Use it casually to explain technical glitches.
Describe algo que es exigente o poco fiable, como una máquina que no funciona correctamente. Úsalo de manera casual para explicar fallos técnicos.
resetting
Restarting a machine to fix it, like turning it off and on. In service situations, ask for 'resetting' when tech issues occur.
Reiniciar una máquina para arreglarla, como apagarla y encenderla. En situaciones de servicio, pide 'restablecimiento' cuando ocurran problemas técnicos.
nozzle
The part of the gas pump that you put into your car's fuel tank. Practical for car-related talks; say 'I've put the nozzle in' to explain progress.
La parte de la bomba de gasolina que se introduce en el tanque de combustible del automóvil. Práctica para charlas relacionadas con autos; di 'He puesto la boquilla' para explicar el progreso.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
Excuse me, I'm having a bit of trouble at pump number 3. My credit card isn't working.
This is a polite way to start asking for help. 'Excuse me' gets attention, 'a bit of trouble' softens the problem, and 'isn't working' describes the issue simply. Use it when approaching staff for assistance in public places.
Esta es una forma educada de empezar a pedir ayuda. 'Disculpe' capta la atención, 'un poco de problema' suaviza el issue, y 'no está funcionando' describe el problema de manera simple. Úsala cuando te acerques al personal para pedir asistencia en lugares públicos.
Did you try tapping or inserting it? Sometimes the readers can be a bit finicky.
A helpful question to troubleshoot. 'Did you try...?' suggests actions politely, and 'or' connects options. 'Finicky' adds a casual explanation. Useful for customer service to show empathy and suggest fixes.
Una pregunta útil para solucionar problemas. '¿Intentaste...?' sugiere acciones cortésmente, y 'o' conecta opciones. 'Quisquilloso' añade una explicación casual. Útil para el servicio al cliente para mostrar empatía y sugerir correcciones.
I tried both, and it just keeps saying 'declined' or 'payment error'.
Explains what was attempted and the result. 'I tried both' shows effort, 'keeps saying' uses present continuous for repeated actions, and quotes errors directly. Say this to clarify problems when seeking more help.
Explica lo que se intentó y el resultado. 'I tried both' muestra esfuerzo, 'keeps saying' usa el presente continuo para acciones repetidas, y cita los errores directamente. Di esto para aclarar problemas al buscar más ayuda.
Did you want to come inside and pay here, or I can try resetting the pump for you?
Offers choices politely. 'Did you want to...?' is a soft suggestion, 'or' presents alternatives, and 'I can try' shows willingness to help. Great for service roles to give options without pressure.
Ofrece opciones cortésmente. 'Did you want to...?' es una sugerencia suave, 'or' presenta alternativas, y 'I can try' muestra disposición para ayudar. Genial para roles de servicio para dar opciones sin presión.
Could you please try resetting it first? I've already put the nozzle in, and I didn't want to start the whole process over again.
A polite request with reasons. 'Could you please' is formal and courteous, 'first' shows priority, and explaining why ('I've already...') justifies it. Use in situations to avoid repeating steps.
Una solicitud educada con razones. 'Could you please' es formal y cortés, 'first' muestra prioridad, y explicar por qué ('I've already...') lo justifica. Úsalo en situaciones para evitar repetir pasos.
No problem. Give me one moment. I'll reset pump 3 from my side.
Reassures and asks for patience. 'No problem' means it's easy, 'give me one moment' is a common phrase for brief waits, and 'from my side' explains the action. Helpful for building trust in service interactions.
Tranquiliza y pide paciencia. 'No problem' significa que es fácil, 'give me one moment' es una frase común para esperas breves, y 'from my side' explica la acción. Útil para construir confianza en interacciones de servicio.
You're welcome. Let me know if that fixes it!
Standard polite response to thanks. 'You're welcome' acknowledges gratitude, and 'let me know' invites feedback. Use at the end of helping to keep communication open; the exclamation adds friendliness.
Respuesta educada estándar a los agradecimientos. 'De nada' reconoce la gratitud, y 'avísame' invita a retroalimentación. Úsalo al final de una ayuda para mantener la comunicación abierta; la exclamación añade amabilidad.