Describe a problem you had while shopping online or in a store
Describe a problem you had while shopping online or in a store.
You should say:
- When it happened?
- What you bought?
- What problem you had?
- And explain how you felt about the experience?
💡 You have 1 minute to prepare and should speak for 1-2 minutes.
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Sample Answer
I would like to talk about a time when *I faced a problem while shopping online and how I eventually resolved it.
When it happened?
This incident took place about eight months ago, when I was preparing for my cousin’s wedding. Since I had a busy schedule with college and part-time work, I decided to order traditional clothes online instead of visiting a physical store.
What you bought?
I ordered a sherwani, which is a traditional Indian outfit worn during weddings. The website displayed beautiful pictures of the outfit with detailed descriptions of fabric quality, embroidery, and size options. It looked perfect, and I was quite excited about it.
What problem you had?
The problem started when the order was delivered. First, the size was completely wrong; although I had carefully selected “Medium,” the company sent me a much smaller size. Second, the color was entirely different from what I saw on the website.
Instead of an elegant cream-colored sherwani, I received a dull yellow one that looked very cheap. To make matters worse, the fabric was not even close to what had been advertised.
I tried contacting customer service, but the helpline was always busy, and their email replies were extremely slow. By the time I managed to return the outfit, the replacement didn’t arrive on time for the wedding.
How you felt about the experience?
At first, I was really frustrated and disappointed because I had trusted the website. I felt like I had wasted both my time and money.
I had to make a last-minute trip to a local shop and spend extra to buy another outfit. However, this experience taught me to be more careful while shopping online.
Now, I always check reviews, ratings, and return policies before placing an order.
Conclusion
Overall, it was a stressful experience, but it also made me more cautious and smarter as a consumer. I realized that online shopping is convenient, but it also carries certain risks if we don’t double-check details.
Follow-up Questions (Part 3)
What kinds of problems do people usually face while shopping online?
The most common problems are related to size, quality, delayed delivery, or even receiving the wrong product altogether. Sometimes people order branded items but end up getting fake versions. Technical issues, such as failed payments or poor customer service, are also quite frequent. Unlike shopping in a physical store, you cannot touch or try the product beforehand, which increases the risk.
How can people avoid problems when shopping online?
One way is to only use trusted and well-reviewed websites. Reading customer reviews and checking ratings can give a realistic picture of the product. Also, it’s important to check the return and refund policies carefully before purchasing. Personally, I also prefer using cash on delivery for expensive items, so that I don’t lose money in case something goes wrong.
Do you think shopping online is better than shopping in a store?
Both have advantages and disadvantages. Online shopping is convenient, time-saving, and sometimes cheaper because of discounts. However, in a physical store, you can try products, check their quality, and get instant satisfaction. For important purchases like clothes for special occasions, I prefer in-store shopping. But for everyday items like books or electronics, online shopping is much easier.
What are some common problems people face in physical stores?
In physical stores, the issues are usually long queues at billing counters, overcrowding during sales, or unavailability of specific sizes and designs. Sometimes store staff are not helpful, which makes the shopping experience unpleasant. Additionally, prices in physical stores are often higher than online due to overhead costs. So, while physical shopping reduces the risk of wrong products, it can be time-consuming and tiring.
- • Use the 1-minute preparation time to make notes and organize your thoughts
- • Speak for the full 1-2 minutes - don't stop too early
- • Use past tense when describing experiences or events
- • Include specific details and examples to make your answer interesting
- • Practice transitions between different points in your answer
- • Stay calm if you can't think of a perfect example - any relevant story works
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