Returns and Exchanges

Handling Returns and Faulty Goods in Italian

Returning items or dealing with defective merchandise requires polite and precise language. In this lesson, you will learn essential vocabulary and phrases to ask for a refund, exchange an item, or inquire about store policies.

Key Vocabulary & Rules

  • Use difettoso (faulty) or rotto (broken) to describe damaged items.
  • Always keep your scontrino (receipt) as most stores require it for returns.
  • Polite requests often use the conditional tense, such as vorrei (I would like).

Examples

Vorrei restituire questo maglione. (I would like to return this sweater.)

Questo prodotto è difettoso. (This product is faulty.)

Common Mistakes

Don't say "voglio un rimborso" bluntly; it sounds too demanding. Instead, use "Vorrei chiedere un rimborso" (I would like to ask for a refund).

Words

lo scontrino
receipt
Avete lo scontrino?Do you have the receipt?
il rimborso
refund
Posso avere un rimborso?Can I have a refund?
il cambio
exchange
Vorrei fare un cambio.I would like to make an exchange.
difettoso
faulty
Questo telefono è difettoso.This phone is faulty.
rotto
broken
Il giocattolo è rotto.The toy is broken.
la garanzia
warranty / guarantee
L'articolo è in garanzia.The item is under warranty.
sostituire
to replace
Voglio sostituire la camicia.I want to replace the shirt.
la politica di reso
return policy
Qual è la politica di reso?What is the return policy?
la cassa
cash register / checkout
Paghiamo alla cassa.Let's pay at the checkout.
danneggiato
damaged
Il pacco è arrivato danneggiato.The package arrived damaged.

Lessons are prepared with the help of AI.

Patterns

Vorrei restituire ___

Expresses the polite desire to return a specific item.

Vorrei restituire questa giacca.I would like to return this jacket.

Questo articolo è ___

Used to describe the condition of a purchased item.

Questo articolo è difettoso.This item is faulty.

Posso avere ___?

A standard polite way to request something like a receipt or refund.

Posso avere una ricevuta?Can I have a receipt?