Ep 12: Simple Negotiations in English

Welcome back to another episode of B1 English Talks. This podcast is here to help you improve your English at the B1 level and feel more confident in your progress. Each episode, we'll dive into fun and real-life topics to help you sound more natural and practice your listening skills. Let's get started.

Today's topic is simple negotiations—how to ask for discounts, discuss prices, or request small favors politely in everyday life. Have you ever wanted a better price on something you were buying? Or maybe you needed a small favor from someone, like changing the delivery date or asking for a free sample? Being able to handle these situations politely and confidently can make everyday life much easier.

When you see something you like, but it's too expensive, you might try to get a discount or a special price. For example, imagine you're in a clothing shop to buy a jacket. You might say, Excuse me, do you have any discounts on this item? Or, Is this the best price you can offer? Or, I saw a similar jacket on sale last week. Is there any chance you could give me a better deal?

Polite requests in English often start with Could you or Would you be able to? And a friendly tone goes a long way. If the shop assistant says no, you can still say, No worries, just thought I'd ask, and that's it—move on.

Negotiating Services and Repairs

Now let's talk about negotiating services and repairs. Sometimes you need to negotiate more than just a price. Maybe you want a product delivered sooner, or you'd like something repaired under warranty without an extra fee. You could ask:

• Could you reduce the cost if I pick it up myself?

• Would it be possible to include free delivery?

• If I pay in cash, could you give me a small discount?

When discussing services, it's helpful to know words like maintenance, repair, or refund. For example, if something breaks, you might say, Could you repair this under the guarantee? Or, If it can't be fixed, is a refund possible?

Small Favors and Requests

Negotiations aren't always about money. Sometimes you need a small favor. For example, if you're booking a hotel room and you want a late checkout, you could ask:

• Would you mind letting me check out a bit later?

• If it's not too much trouble, could I change my reservation date?

Being polite is key. Start with phrases like Would you mind or Could I possibly to show respect.

Handling Conflicts and Polite Language

If the other person says no in one of these situations, don't get upset. You might just say:

• I understand, thank you anyway.

• No problem, I appreciate your help.

By staying calm and polite, you keep the conversation friendly. If you really need the service, consider asking about other options, like: Could you suggest a similar product that's more affordable?

By practicing these phrases, you'll feel more comfortable negotiating prices, discussing discounts, or requesting favors in English. The key is to stay polite, smile, and be ready to accept no as an answer.

A Personal Example

For me, I actually do this sometimes at Starbucks. I will sometimes go to Starbucks, and for no reason at all, just to see if I can get away with it, I will ask the cashier: Could I get a 10% discount? And when they ask why, I don't need a real reason. The people providing these services for you have the power to give these discounts, but they won't if you don't ask, or they don't know you. But if you go to the same Starbucks every day, chat up (phrasal verb) the cashier, and they know you, they may just give you a discount without you asking. But then, if you ask on top of it, they're way more likely to give you a small discount.

Final Thoughts

My final thoughts on this: Negotiating in everyday situations doesn't have to be stressful. With the right vocabulary, a polite attitude, and the willingness to ask, you can get discounts, discuss prices, and make requests confidently. Remember, the worst that can happen is someone says no, and that's okay. What you're doing is not wrong. They won't get upset.

Thanks for listening to another episode of B1 English Talks. If you found this episode helpful, share it with a friend who might also need these tips. If you're ready to connect, then reach out to me on Instagram, at EnglishWithBrandonH. Have a great day, and I'll see you next time.

B1 Grammar Highlights:

1. Polite Requests:

   • "Could you reduce the cost...?"

   • "Would you mind letting me check out later?"

   • "If it's not too much trouble, could I...?"

2. Conditionals (First):

   • "If I pay in cash, could you give me a discount?"

   • "If it can't be fixed, is a refund possible?"

3. Modal Verbs:

   • "Could you repair this...?"

   • "Would it be possible to include free delivery?"

4. Phrasal Verbs:

   • "Chat up the cashier"

   • "Move on"

5. Indirect Speech for Politeness:

   • "Is there any chance you could give me a better deal?"

Key Vocabulary:

• Negotiation Terms: discount, refund, repair, maintenance, guarantee, free sample

• Everyday Scenarios: shop assistant, late checkout, reservation, delivery

• Politeness Phrases: would you mind, could you, no worries, thank you anyway