Understanding and using prices

This lesson focuses on practical expressions and strategies to talk about prices in everyday and business situations. You'll learn how to ask for prices, clarify what is included, request quotes, discuss unit vs total cost, and handle discounts or negotiations.

• Ask clearly: currency, unit or total, and whether tax or shipping is included
• Use appropriate expressions for quotes, estimates and final invoices
• Choose polite and professional language when requesting or negotiating prices

When discussing prices, always specify what the number represents and what it includes or excludes.

• State the currency (USD, EUR, etc.) to avoid confusion
• Clarify if the price is per unit, per package, or total
• Ask whether tax (VAT) and shipping are included or added separately
• Request a written quote for larger purchases to have a clear record

Specificity prevents misunderstandings and hidden costs.

Learners commonly make a few universal errors when discussing prices. Watch for these to communicate clearly and professionally.

• Not specifying the currency — leads to misunderstandings
• Confusing unit price and total price — check whether the price is per item or for the whole order
• Assuming tax or shipping is included without confirming — always ask
• Accepting a verbal price without requesting written confirmation for significant purchases
• Using vague language like “cheap” or “expensive” without context — be specific with numbers

Clarify details to avoid costly misunderstandings.