Start your Study Abroad Journey with WayUP Abroad for Free.
Achieving a 9+ band score in the IELTS speaking test demands well-structured and captivating responses. To help you excel in the cue card topic "Describe a Problem While Shopping Online", we have curated a selection of exemplary answers. These model responses demonstrate candidates' capacity for critical thinking and effective communication when discussing everyday online shopping challenges. By examining these answers, you can gain valuable insights, spark your creativity, and develop your own high-scoring responses to succeed in the IELTS speaking test.
What You Need to Describe for IELTS Cue Card Topic: Describe a Problem While Shopping Online
Explain:
Here are a few of the most outstanding responses to the IELTS Cue Card question, "Describe a Problem While Shopping Online." If you want to get a 9+ on the IELTS speaking test, you should think about these answers.
The incident occurred a few months ago, around the time when I was preparing for an upcoming family gathering. I was looking for a dress online for the event and decided to shop on MEESHO, a popular online shopping platform.
I purchased a dress that was advertised as a designer piece with beautiful embroidery, high-quality fabric, and a perfect fit for an evening occasion. The product image on the website looked vibrant, and the description seemed promising.
When the dress arrived, I was extremely disappointed. The fabric was not as described – it felt cheap and uncomfortable, unlike the high-quality material promised. The embroidery was also poorly done, with loose threads hanging from several parts of the dress. Moreover, the color was much duller than the vibrant shade shown on the website. I felt misled, and it was clear that the product didn’t match the description at all.
I immediately contacted MEESHO's customer service, hoping to return the item. The customer service experience was not smooth, as they initially delayed the return process. After some back-and-forth, they finally agreed to accept the return, but I had to bear the return shipping cost, which I found frustrating. Despite getting a refund eventually, the whole experience left me disappointed, and I was more cautious when shopping online afterward.
It was a very frustrating and unpleasant experience. I had high hopes for the product, especially since it was intended for a special occasion, but the misleading description ruined it. I also felt a bit of distrust towards online shopping platforms, as it made me question the accuracy of the product listings. However, I learned to be more cautious and check reviews before purchasing anything online in the future.
This incident took place about two months ago, during a busy festive season when I was shopping online for gifts and essentials. I was shopping on Shopsy, an online platform I had heard positive reviews about, and I was excited to try it.
I ordered a set of kitchen appliances, including a blender, a toaster, and a food processor. These items were important to me because I was setting up a new kitchen and wanted everything to arrive in time to make some holiday meals.
The main issue I encountered was that the delivery was severely delayed. According to the tracking details, the items were supposed to arrive in five days, but they never did. I kept waiting, and after a week, I checked the tracking number again, only to find that the status was stuck at "processing" without any update on when it would actually be shipped. After contacting customer service multiple times, I received no clear answers, and the delivery date kept getting pushed further back. Eventually, one of the items — the blender — was lost, and I was told it couldn’t be located.
I reached out to Shopsy’s customer support team, which was frustratingly unhelpful. They gave me generic responses and failed to provide any real assistance in resolving the issue. After several phone calls, I was offered a refund for the lost blender, but by then, the holiday season had passed, and I had already made alternative arrangements to buy the appliance elsewhere.
The experience was extremely disappointing and stressful. I had been excited about my purchase, and the delays and eventual loss of one item ruined my shopping experience. The lack of proper communication from the company and the delay in processing made me lose trust in online shopping for a while. Although I got a refund, I felt frustrated and somewhat let down by the entire experience. I learned the importance of following up with customer service and choosing more reliable platforms for online shopping in the future.
This happened about three weeks ago when I was looking to buy some handcrafted textiles from the online store jaipurhandblock.in. I had seen their products on Instagram and found their designs quite beautiful and unique. So, I decided to place an order directly through their Instagram account rather than using the website.
I ordered a collection of hand-block printed bedsheets and cushion covers. I was particularly excited about the traditional designs, and I thought it would be a great addition to my home decor. Since I was so eager to buy them, I decided to make the purchase promptly.
The problem I faced occurred when I tried to make the payment. I was instructed by the seller on Instagram to complete the payment via UPI. I did so, transferring the amount directly to the provided UPI ID. However, after completing the transaction, I didn’t receive a confirmation, and the seller did not acknowledge the payment immediately.
I reached out again, but there was no response. I began to get anxious, wondering whether I had fallen victim to a scam. I checked the payment status in my bank account, and the money had been successfully deducted. After several attempts to contact the seller, I finally received a message confirming my order, but by then, I was quite concerned about the lack of security and professionalism.
The seller, who seemed friendly and responsive at first, was a small business owner who ran the store through Instagram. While I was initially comfortable placing the order with them, the delayed responses and lack of an official online platform for payments raised my concerns. They did eventually confirm the order after I followed up several times. The business itself seemed legitimate, but the lack of secure payment options and proper communication led me to question the safety of online transactions in such informal setups.
The whole experience was frustrating and nerve-wracking. While I was excited about the products, the uncertainty around the payment and the delayed communication made me feel uneasy. I learned the importance of checking payment security before completing transactions and the risks of purchasing from businesses that don't have a clear and trustworthy payment method. In the end, I did receive the products, but the process left me with some doubts about shopping on Instagram or using less secure payment methods for future purchases.
This happened about two months ago when I was shopping for clothing on AliExpress. I had been browsing the site for a few days, looking for a stylish jacket for the winter season. I had heard good things about the variety of products available on AliExpress and decided to give it a try.
I bought a stylish leather jacket that I thought would be perfect for the upcoming cold weather. The jacket was well-reviewed, and I was excited about the color and design. It was listed at a very affordable price, so I was quite confident about the purchase, hoping to get a great deal.
The problem arose when the jacket arrived. Although I had checked the sizing chart provided by the seller, the jacket didn’t fit well at all. I had ordered a medium size based on my usual measurements, but when I tried it on, it was too tight around the chest and shoulders, making it uncomfortable to wear. I immediately checked the sizing chart again, only to realize that the measurements provided by the seller were different from the usual sizing I was familiar with, which led to the mismatch.
I contacted the seller, but their response was delayed, and they didn’t offer a clear solution. Eventually, I had to go through the hassle of returning the item, which involved additional shipping costs and waiting time.
The seller was a clothing store on AliExpress, which was based overseas. They had a good rating and appeared reliable, but they didn’t provide clear or accurate size guides, and the communication was slow when I tried to address the issue. They offered a refund after much back-and-forth, but I still had to cover the return shipping cost, which was frustrating.
The whole experience was very disappointing and frustrating. I had high hopes for the jacket, especially because it was a great deal in terms of price. However, the difficulty with sizing and the poor communication left me feeling let down. I realized the importance of checking reviews and sizing details more carefully when shopping on international platforms. In the end, I learned to be extra cautious when buying clothes online, especially from platforms where size conversions might not always match expectations.
1. Have you ever faced any problems when shopping online?
Answer: Yes, I have faced issues, especially with delivery delays, where the product took much longer than expected to arrive. I was disappointed because I had planned to use it for an event that was coming up soon.
2. What do you think is the most common problem when shopping online?
Answer: I believe the most common problem is receiving products that don’t match their description or images. Sometimes, the colors or quality of the items differ significantly from what is shown online.
3. Do you think online shopping is better than shopping in physical stores?
Answer: It depends on the situation. Online shopping offers convenience and a wide variety of products, but in physical stores, I can check the quality of items firsthand. Sometimes, the experience of seeing and touching products makes a big difference.
4. How do you ensure that you buy good quality items online?
Answer: I always check reviews and ratings before purchasing anything. I also pay attention to the return and refund policy, just in case there’s a problem with the product.
5. Do you think shopping online is more popular than shopping in physical stores?
Answer: Yes, especially with the convenience of home delivery and the ability to compare prices easily. However, for certain things like clothes, I still prefer going to a physical store to try them on first.
6. What do you usually do if you face a problem when shopping online?
Answer: I first contact customer service to explain the issue. If they’re unhelpful, I try to resolve it by looking for return or refund options. I also leave a review to inform others about my experience.
7. Have you ever returned a product after buying it online? What was the reason?
Answer: Yes, I once returned a pair of shoes because they didn’t fit properly. The size chart was misleading, and the shoes were too tight despite ordering the correct size according to the chart.
8. Do you prefer shopping from big or small online retailers?
Answer: I tend to shop from big online retailers because they usually have better customer service and more reliable delivery. However, I occasionally buy from smaller retailers if they offer unique products that I can’t find elsewhere.
9. Do you think online shopping is safe? Why or why not?
Answer: It can be safe if you shop from trusted websites and use secure payment methods. However, there’s always a risk of scams, which is why I try to buy only from well-known platforms.
10. How can online shopping be improved?
Answer: I think online shopping can be improved by offering more accurate product descriptions, better size guides, and faster customer service response times. A more reliable tracking system for deliveries would also enhance the shopping experience.
In conclusion, mastering the IELTS cue card topic "Describe a Problem While Shopping Online" requires a thoughtful and well-structured approach. By studying the exemplary answers provided, test-takers can refine their critical thinking and communication skills, ultimately achieving a high band score. With careful preparation and practice, candidates can confidently tackle this topic and demonstrate their English proficiency in the IELTS speaking test. Effective preparation is key to unlocking success.
