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PhrasesReturning ItemsQuesto non era in saldo quando l'ho comprato.
B1

Questo non era in saldo quando l'ho comprato.

This was not on sale when I bought it.

Pronunciation

'Saldo' — SAL-do. Two syllables.

When to use it

Use when a shop claims the item is now on sale and tries to calculate your refund at the sale price rather than the full price you paid. You are entitled to a refund of the price actually paid.

What it means

'In saldo' means on sale or in a sale. 'Non era' is the imperfect of 'essere' — 'was not'. 'Quando l'ho comprato' = 'when I bought it'. The refund must be the price paid, not the current price. Italian consumer law is clear on this point.

Variations

Ho pagato il prezzo pieno.

I paid the full price.

States the amount clearly.

Il rimborso deve essere dell'importo pagato.

The refund must be for the amount paid.

States the legal position.

Eccolo sullo scontrino — prezzo intero.

Here it is on the receipt — full price.

Evidence on the receipt.

Mini Dialogue

Commessa: Il rimborso è di venti euro — il prezzo scontato attuale. Cliente: Questo non era in saldo quando l'ho comprato. Ho pagato trentacinque euro. Commessa: Ha lo scontrino? Cliente: Sì — vede? Trentacinque euro.

Assistant: The refund is twenty euros — the current sale price. Customer: This was not on sale when I bought it. I paid thirty-five euros. Assistant: Do you have the receipt? Customer: Yes — see? Thirty-five euros.

Cultural Note

Italian 'saldi' (official sales) are regulated by law and typically happen in January/February and July/August. During these periods, shops must clearly display both original and discounted prices. Receipts protect you.