English for Beginners: Sales Vocabulary

Dialogue

Alice: Bob, guess what? I have an incredible product for you!

Bob: Oh, Alice? What secret offer do you have this time? Is it another “guaranteed success” juice blender?

Alice: No, no! This is better! It’s my legendary ‘Lucky Charm Rock’! It’s one of a kind.

Bob: Your… rock? How much does this product cost? Is there a discount for friends?

Alice: For you, Bob, a special price of only $20! And it’s usually $50! That’s a huge sale!

Bob: $20 for a rock? Alice, it looks like a regular rock from my garden. And it has a dent.

Alice: That’s a “character mark”! It proves its age and wisdom. It brings good fortune!

Bob: Hmm, I’m not sure I’m the right customer for a dented, wise rock. What if I want to return it?

Alice: No returns! But I can give you a deal on a second, slightly smaller, ‘Luckier Charm Pebble’!

Bob: You’re really trying to sell this, aren’t you? What’s your target audience for these? Rocks?

Alice: People who need luck, Bob! Imagine the value!

Bob: I see. So, if I buy it, do I get a receipt? For my tax records, you know.

Alice: Of course! A handwritten one! So, do we have a deal? You’ll be the happiest customer!

Bob: Okay, okay, you drive a hard bargain, Alice. But only if you throw in a free hug.

Alice: Deal! You’re an amazing customer! And a cheap date for rocks.

Current Situation

Understanding basic sales vocabulary is very useful, even for beginners! Whether you’re shopping for groceries, buying clothes, or even just browsing online, you’ll encounter these words every day. Knowing them helps you understand prices, find good deals, and communicate what you want to buy or sell. It makes everyday transactions much easier and more fun, both when you are the buyer and sometimes, like Alice, when you are the seller!

Key Phrases

• Product: Something that is made or grown to be sold.

  Example: This new phone is an amazing product.

• Price: The amount of money for which something is bought or sold.

  Example: What is the price of this book?

• Discount: A reduction in the usual price of something.

  Example: There’s a 20% discount on all shoes today.

• Sale: A period when a shop sells goods at reduced prices.

  Example: I bought this shirt during the summer sale.

• Offer: A special price or deal, usually for a limited time.

  Example: This week’s special offer is “buy one, get one free.”

• Customer: A person who buys goods or services from a shop or business.

  Example: The shop assistant helped the customer find a new hat.

• Sell: To give something to someone in exchange for money.

  Example: I want to sell my old bicycle.

• Buy: To get something by paying money for it.

  Example: We need to buy some milk from the store.

• Deal: An agreement, often about buying or selling something at a particular price.

  Example: They made a deal for the car at a good price.

• Bargain: Something bought or offered for sale more cheaply than is usual or expected.

  Example: This jacket was a real bargain at half price!

• Receipt: A piece of paper that shows that goods or services have been paid for.

  Example: Please keep your receipt in case you need to return it.

Grammar Points

1. Simple Present Tense (for actions and facts)

We use the Simple Present Tense to talk about things that happen regularly, general truths, or facts. In sales, it’s common for describing prices, products, and actions.

• “It costs…”: Used for the price of one item (singular noun).

  Example: This rock costs $20.

• “They cost…”: Used for the price of multiple items (plural noun).

  Example: The shoes cost $50.

• “I sell…” / “You buy…”: Describes the actions of selling and buying.

  Example: I sell old books. You buy a new phone.

2. Asking about Price: “How much…?”

This is the most common way to ask about the price of something.

• “How much does it cost?” (for one item)

  Example: How much does this product cost?

• “How much are they?” (for multiple items)

  Example: How much are these apples?

• “What is the price?” (also common, for one item)

  Example: What is the price of this car?

3. Making Requests or Stating Intentions: “I want to…” / “Can I get…?”

When you are a customer, you often need to express what you want to buy or do.

• “I want to buy…”: Clearly states your desire to purchase something.

  Example: I want to buy a new laptop.

• “Can I get…?”: A polite way to ask for an item.

  Example: Can I get a receipt, please?

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Choose the correct word from the box to complete each sentence.

[ buy, price, customer, sale, discount, sell, product, receipt ]

1. I need to ____ some new shoes.
2. The shop has a big ____ on clothes this week.
3. What is the ____ of this delicious cake?
4. She is a good ____; she always buys from this store.
5. Can I ____ you my old camera? It still works!
6. I got a 10% ____ on my new watch.
7. This new phone is their best ____ this year.
8. Always ask for a ____ when you pay.

Exercise 2: Match the Word to its Definition

1. Product
2. Discount
3. Customer
4. Sell
5. Deal

a. A person who buys goods or services.

b. To give something in exchange for money.

c. An agreement, especially about buying or selling.

d. Something that is made or grown to be sold.

e. A reduction in the usual price.

Exercise 3: Put the Words in Order to Make a Sentence

1. cost / much / how / it / does / ?
2. buy / I / to / a / want / shirt / new.
3. a / receipt / please / .
4. good / is / a / This / bargain / !