ESL Podcast: In this ESL podcast we talk about e-commerce. Many people now buy things on the internet. Learn about e-commerce and learn English at the same time. Also, remember to check out justvocabulary.com and we can offer you a $5 discount on their study tools for iPods, cellphones and blackberries. They have an ESL podcast introducing 2 GRE words per show and are offering you this deal as a way of celebrating their 500th episode. Go to justvocabulary.com and type in the discount code 52e03f426e to get the discount.
Discussion forum
E-Commerce:
ESL Dialog
| A: Where did you buy your new computer?
B: I ordered it online. I saved 20% doing it that way. A: Weren’t you scared of being ripped off? B: No, I order stuff online all the time and I’ve never had a problem. I use paypal and only buy from sellers with good ratings. Paypal makes it much safer for the consumer because they will return your money if you don’t receive the product. A: Why was it so much cheaper to buy online? B: Selling online is a much cheaper for the seller. They don’t need to pay staff or rent a huge store. In a competitive market, these savings are passed on to the consumer. A: How does paypal make any money? B: They just take a couple percent of each transaction. Even with that fee, it’s still often cheaper to buy online. It really depends where you shop and what you are buying though. It’s always a good idea to shop around if you have the time. A: Why do so many people still buy things in brick and mortar stores then? B: A lot of people still feel it’s safer to buy things that way. Some people aren’t very price sensitive and don’t mind paying the premium. They like to physically look at the product and deal personally with the sales staff. Besides, when you order online, you can take the product home that day. You don’t need to wait for the shipping. A: I think I’m more like you. I’d rather have the savings than those other “conveniences”. I’m going to get a paypal account and start ordering stuff online. |
Phrases and Vocabulary used:
Ripped off: Getting “ripped off” often means paying too much money for something. In this case, getting ripped off refers to being totally cheated and not receiving the product at all.
Paypal: Paypal is an extremely popular online payment option. You can go to www.paypal.com to find out more information if you don’t already use this service. It is available in most countries and is easy and safe to use
Transaction: Every Sale or purchase is considered a transaction. Paypal makes a little bit of money every time someone uses their service to buy something.
Shop around: If you “shop around” for something it means that you look at many different places to buy something. It’s a good idea to shop around for large purchases such as a new car or a new home. You can often get a much better deal if you spend some time shopping around. Airline tickets are often priced quite differently so it’s a good idea to shop around when you are buying airline tickets.
Brick and mortar: Brick and mortar stores refer to the physical store. Some brick and mortar stores also have an online store.
Price sensitive: If someone is price sensitive, it means that they really care about the price. If it is a certain price they will buy it, if it is a little more expensive than they won’t. We can also refer to products as being price sensitive. Oil is not very price sensitive because people still need to put gas in their cars regardless of the price.
Premium: Paying a premium for something means that you pay extra money for some service. You have to pay a premium to shop at a brick and mortar store for example.
April 13th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
Finally, you guys made it again!!!
I was dying to see this lessen for a while, what happened to you guys!!
I was concerned that you guys are quitting this web or something…
I am not blaming though, just I am pleased I can listen to you guys voice again.haha
Anyway, thank you so much~ I’m going to listen to this carefully with joy.
See ya~!^^
April 15th, 2009 at 4:40 am
We must be aware of online fraud. Do not believe a person telling you via e.mail that you\\\’ve won a lottery. How come ? I myself was informed that I\\\’ve won 500,000 sterling pounds and I should pay the courier fees in advance but I was alert enough and they could not take a penny from me and played with them till I got real names and bank accounts… Moreover I filed a complaint to Her Majesty Queen of England and she was very kind and sent me a letter thanking me for drawing her attention to what some of her subjects had done to me. Imagine, what is sadening is that crooks from the rich North are trying to rip off needy people from the poor South.. It is a shame, isn\\\’t it ?
April 15th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
wow easy, freak /\ o_o
such a awesome lesson guys, as usual… keep goin\’!
April 16th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
Hey guys!
How about a podcast saying how nice you guys are? LOL!
Thanks for these cool classes! You guys rock!
Have a great time moving out, by the way!
Hugs from Brazil
Cris
April 17th, 2009 at 7:28 am
Hi guys!
Your podcasts are great! Thank you for that!
I listen it during each physical activity like gardening, walking to a work… Sometimes it may seem that I listen it more often then my girlfriend :).
Have a great time.
Tomas
Czech Republic
April 17th, 2009 at 10:13 pm
I’m from Brazil and I want to say thank you for the standout podcasts, BRs
April 18th, 2009 at 2:42 am
nice topic u have here i realy appreciate wat ya do guys .. i\’m spreadin your link all over and i wont stop ♥
April 19th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
Thanks Guys! Another interesting dialogue which is beneficial to English learners. I just want to share this article below that would help people (especially the online shoppers who usually using their credit card as mode of payment) from fraud.
HTTP stands for Hyper Text Transport Protocol, which is just a fancy way of saying it’s a protocol (a language, in a manner of speaking) for information to be passed back and forth between web servers and clients.
The important thing is the letter S which makes the difference between HTTP and HTTPS.
The S (big surprise) stands for “Secure”. If you visit a website or webpage, and look at the address in the web browser, it will likely begin with the following: http://. This means that the website is talking to your browser using the regular ‘unsecured’ language. In other words, it is possible for someone to “eavesdrop” on your computer’s conversation with the website. If you fill out a form on the website, someone might see the information you send to that site. This is why you never ever enter your credit card number in an http website!
But, if the web address begins with https:// , which basically means your computer is talking to the website in a secure code that no one can eavesdrop on.
You understand why this is so important, right?
If a website ever asks you to enter your credit card information, you should automatically look to see if the web address begins with https:// .
If it doesn’t, there’s no way you’re going to enter sensitive information like a credit card number.
April 19th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
Hi. Why don`t you guys speak something about religion in order to get some bocabulary of it.
Thanks again for your job. I^ve learned alot.
thank you.
I think it`s better than other websites. so keep you working this way
April 20th, 2009 at 11:37 am
JUst so so.
April 20th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Hi guys!
Your podcasts are great! Thank you for that!
PLease Add some Doctor and patients conversation about common DISEASES.
April 20th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Hi, Guys!
Is everyting O.K?
You are finally back. I\\\’ve been looking forwarding to listening to your new episode. I\\\’m from South Korea and a big fan of the china232 show. ^^ Thanks a lot as usual.
April 23rd, 2009 at 1:16 pm
Great show as usual
Thanks so much.
April 25th, 2009 at 4:39 am
great episode!! I really like you guys
April 25th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
Hi Andrew and Addison,
Thanks a lot for your precious effort. These are really helpful.I get this side just a week ago, as I am planning to take toefl test and I was in search of help for listening.
Now I am as addict in this and completed all the lessions in a week. I am planning to revise now. Hope you go on continueing this programme waiting for more new lessions.
Thanks
April 27th, 2009 at 10:15 am
HI Besides, when you order online, you can take the product home that day. THERE SEEMS TO BE A MISTAKE IN THIS LINE WHEN U BUY IT IN A STORE (IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN LIKE THIS INSTEAD OF WHEN U ORDER ONLINE)tHANKS
April 27th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
hey buddies
just to give you my best regards for all your beautiful podcasts,
i\\\’ll make it up to you guys one day!
seriously
April 30th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Hilarious website , androw and Add are good guys , keep the good job up.
May 5th, 2009 at 3:16 am
hayy guys thanks for help us i m from mexico and my inglish is totaly bad i went to USA the last week AND I LEFT my keys inside the car i had to call a locksmith and it was a nigtmare barely could speak with the guy over the phone i really apreciate if you show us how to speak with a locksmith
May 5th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Hi guys! How about new podcast about extreme-sport activities? )
May 18th, 2009 at 4:46 am
im english learner named larry in china.any one who wanna study english pls add me as your friend at skype or msn,
my msn:cxmmxc_5@hotmail.com
skype:cszero_marketing
hope talk to u guys soon
September 22nd, 2009 at 3:39 pm
\"Besides, when you order online, you can take the product home that day. You don’t need to wait for the shipping.\" Sorry but i don\’t get it here. Can u explain?
Thx for the lesson anyway
Peace