You can buy electronic goods by either visiting le Magasin de l'Electronique or la boutique electronique (an electronics shop) or by l'achat en ligne (buying online).
First decide what you want to buy. Do you want to buy le système de musique (a music system), un caméscope (a camcorder), un appareil-photo (a camera), la Photocopieuse (a copier), le Télécopieur (a fax machine), la cafetière (a coffee maker), l'aspirateur nettoyeur (a vacuum cleaner), un sèche-cheveux (a hair dryer), un ordinateur de bureau (a desktop computer), un ordinateur portable (a laptop), or le téléphone cellulaire (a cellphone)?
Once you know what you want to buy, you should research the item. Compare different brands and models. Read reviews. See what other customers or users are saying. Visit different shops and review les prix (the prices) they are offering. See if you can find a bargain. Researching online can save you a lot of time.
If you are buying from an actual shop, have le vendeur (the salesperson) show you les modèles différents (the different models) they have. Ask them to show you how these work. It's important to test the item you are buying.
Ensure la compatibilité (compatibility). The electrical voltage in different countries is different. So you should ask if you will require adaptateurs, convertisseurs, ou transformateurs (adapters, convertors, or transformers) to be able to use the equipment in your country. Find out what kind you will need.
Find out if there are any accessoires (accessories) that you ought to get.
Ask for une garantie (a warranty), and be sure to get un reçu (a receipt) for your purchase.
- Research the items you want to buy - Recherchez les articles que vous voulez acheter
- Compare different brands - Comparez les différentes marques
- Read reviews by other customers - Lire des revues par les autres clients
- Hello, can you help me? - Bonjour, pouvez-vous m'aider?
- Of course, Sir/Madam - Bien sûr, Monsieur/Madame
- I would like to buy... - Je voudrais acheter...
- What kind of models do you have? - Quel type de modèles avez-vous?
- Which music system would you recommend? - Quel système de musique que vous recommanderiez?
- Do you have this model? - Avez-vous ce modèle?
- Can you show me how this works? - Pouvez-vous me montrer comment ceci fonctionne?
- Can you tell me what the price is? - Pouvez-vous me dire ce qu'est le prix? Pouvez-vous me dire ce que le prix est?
- What is the warranty here? - Quelle est la garantie ici?
- Can I get a discount? - Puis-je obtenir un rabais?
- Do I pay with cash or by credit card? - Dois-je payer en liquide ou par carte de crédit?
- I would like a receipt, please - Je voudrais un reçu, s'il vous plaît
- Can you pack it, please? - Pouvez-vous l'emballer, s'il vous plaît?
- Thank you for your help - Merci pour votre aide
You can download vocabulary used in this article at -
French Vocabulary - Learning French - Buying Electronics
Here are the websites of some French stores that you can visit -
E Leclerc - http://www.e-leclerc.com/home.asp
Carrefour - http://www.carrefour.fr/
Galeries Lafayette - http://www.galerieslafayette.com/