「新东方雅思官方网校」为您提供Part 2&3  A problem you had while shopping online or in a store答案及解析，解读雅思口语练习和提分技巧，更多雅思IELTS考试报名咨讯，请及时关注新东方在线雅思频道更新。

Part 2&3  A problem you had while shopping online or in a store答案及解析_雅思口语练习「新东方雅思官方网校」

I've had many experiences with online shopping, but the one I recall the most clearly is the time that I bought an item and had such trouble getting a refund from the seller. I can’t remember the name of the store now, but anyway, I bought a thick coat for winter – it was quite expensive actually – and when it arrived, it had a rip in the back and the zip was faulty. I contacted the company through the online chat and they said they were happy to refund it, and I should just send it back. I arranged with a delivery service to send the package back and it went smoothly. They confirmed they had received it okay. Everything seemed to be fine. Then there was total silence for weeks…. Yes, weeks! I contacted the seller, nothing. I checked my bank account and shopping platform order and returns messages, nothing. I messaged them countless times, and they simply did not reply. I had no idea what they were playing at but I was pretty angry. I contacted the online platform and they said they would put in a case against the seller. I didn’t really want it to get to this stage because that kind of process takes a long time sometimes, and is quite annoying. Anyway, they put in a case against the seller, and after all sorts of calls, steps, hurdles and disputes, I eventually got my refund. To be perfectly honest it kind of put me off online buying, at least online clothes buying. I like to just go to shops, try an item on, buy it or not buy and that’s that. That, to be honest, is the simpler and more enjoyable way of shopping. I think this whole online shopping thing is massively overrated to be honest. 


I think that a smooth, efficient service where they deliver what you ordered or asked for, and get your items within the promised time frame – and the items arrive in good condition, or are good quality – is the best we can ask for when it comes to service. I have some of the worst customer service experiences in the world in Beijing, to be perfectly honest. So, I’m not the best man to ask… I would say that 100% of the time the waiters in restaurants get things wrong, are rude or stupid, or both, and don't seem to do their jobs very efficiently. However, the service is usually fast and the quality of the food is great! Well, mostly. 

I would send it back. Online shopping is really popular in my country. Actually, I would say that it is a national obsession. Chinese people are really good at two things: taking photos of their meals and putting them on WeChat moments, and buying things online. They are the main national hobbies I think – we are probably more obsessed with these two hobbies than any other country’s people I know on the planet. So, because of this, we have a quite efficient and developed online shopping culture – and most of the time you can successfully return an item and get it refunded or exchanged if you’re disappointed with it with a high degree of efficiency. 


Well.. to be perfectly honest, if the current trend continues, I am sure it certainly will. There are more physical shops and stores closing down every day – including the huge food court right near my office, along with the electronics market near my office, and countless other places. This is probably due to two factors. Firstly, the current measures and economic policies, and secondly, the fact that we all stay at home all the time ordering everything online. So, yes, I believe given this trajectory, soon we will be living in our offices and ordering everything online, and possibly not even set foot in the outside world at all. Let's see! 
