Asking for a Refund in English • Learn English with Harry 👴 (2024)

Asking for a refund in English couldn’t be easier with these phrases!

Here you will also learn useful words and phrases for making and responding to complaints in English.

When you purchase an item in a shop or contract someone for their services (engage someone todo some work) you expect that everything will work out well and the product you buy will work andthe service you contract for will be delivered satisfactorily. However, it is not always like this.

Thereare legal definitions that cover your rights in relation to refunds so I am not trying to challengethose rights (I do not dispute people’s rights to a legal refund). What I am covering are the different English words and phrases you may need to use when asking for a refund in English.

✅ Could I please have a refund/full refund?

In most situations, such a request will be met with a favourableresponse (agreed).

If you feel that a polite simple request may be ignored you might either plead
for(ask with tears in your eyes) or beg for(almost down on your knees) your refund. However,when such requests are refused (denied) you may need to “up the anti” (become a little moreforceful).

You can then demand (a little stronger than polite) a refund with words such as

✅ I want my money refunded immediately

If this also fails then you may need to go legal (threaten to referthe matter to your solicitor/lawyer). This usually gets a response as companies may not wish to getinvolved in a legal battle which could ultimately end up in court(in front of a judge).

In this situationsomeone may need to go as far as to send a solicitor’s letter where a solicitor (your legal representative) will write on yourbehalf to the individual or company involved requesting an immediate refund or the matter will betaken further (this could mean trying to get a court appearance to make a claim for the loss).

The easiest way to avoid all of this is: insist on a receipt when you purchase a product or service, askabout their refund policy before handing over (making any payment) any money.

Other ways you can request a refund in English:

– I feel you should, at the very least, refund the sum of €50 I paid for … (strong)

– I insist that you refund my money at once (strong)

– I must insist on a full refund immediately (strong)

– I’d like a refund

– I want to have my money back

Enjoy your shoppingexperience!

How to complain about something in English:

• I want to complain about … (starting a complaint)
• I’d like to make a complaint
• Something needs to be done about this … (emphasising your discontent)
• I’m sorry, it’s just not good enough
• I’m really not happy about this …
• I’m running out of patience
• It’s a disgrace
• That’s just not acceptable
• I shall expect a reduction

How to reply to a complaint in English:

• I do understand why you’re unhappy about this (sympathising with a complaint)
• I’m very sorry to hear that
• I’m sorry to hear there’s a problem
• I’ll see what I can do (agreeing to act)
• I’ll do everything I can to sort this out
• I’ll sort it out immediately
• That’s really beyond my control, I’m afraid (declining to act)
• There’s really nothing I can do about it
• I must apologise

For more English vocabulary phrases, words and expressions check out the following links:

English Expressions about Friendship

English Adjective to Describe Food

English Idioms about Illness

Booking a hotel room