💡 In Czech shops a bag at the till is paid, so many people bring their own; a loyalty card (věrnostní karta) is often offered, it is optional.
💡 Czech tills usually take cards contactless: Přiložte kartu; for payments up to a certain amount no PIN is needed. Mobile wallets are also accepted.
💡 In a shop regál is a shelf, oddělení a section, chlazené chilled; staff will gladly help: Kde najdu...?
💡 Asking the queue to let you go ahead with a few items is normal: Můžu předběhnout? Mám jen dvě věci. People usually agree.
💡 If the price at the till differs from the shelf, tell the cashier at once; the shop should sell at the shelf price or correct the mistake.
💡 In the Czech Republic big shops are usually open on Sunday too, but small shops may be closed; hours are posted on the door: otevírací doba.
💡 At the self-checkout (samoobslužná pokladna) an assistant nearby helps: just raise your hand or ask Můžete mi prosím pomoct?
💡 Offers: akce (promotion), sleva (discount), druhý kus za polovinu (second item at half price), věrnostní karta (loyalty card); to compare look at the cena za kilogram (price per kilogram).
💡 The datum spotřeby (use-by date) is written "spotřebujte do" and the datum minimální trvanlivosti "minimální trvanlivost do"; an expired product must not be sold, tell a member of staff.
💡 Cashiers do not like big notes for small purchases; if there is no change they may ask you to pay by card or with smaller notes.
💡 In some shops the cashier weighs vegetables, in others you weigh them yourself on a scale and stick on the price label; ask a member of staff.
💡 At the market the price is per kilo (za kilo); půl kila is half a kilo, dvě kila two kilos; the seller often asks Bude to všechno?
💡 České is Czech, z vlastní zahrady from one's own garden, bio organic; the question Můžu ochutnat? is acceptable everywhere.
💡 In Czech shops at the deli counter weight is given in deka: ten grams; dvacet deka šunky is two hundred grams of ham.
💡 Eggs are bought by the ten or by piece: deset vajec (ten eggs); farmářské (farm) and čerstvé (fresh) are words you often hear at the market; tvaroh is a fresh curd cheese.
💡 Haggling is normal at a bleší trh (flea market); politely ask Nešlo by to levněji? (couldn't it be cheaper?); in a shop or an ordinary market it is not usual.
💡 In a drugstore (dm, Rossmann, Teta) cosmetics, baby goods and cleaning products are sold, but not prescription medicine; pleny are nappies, vlhčené ubrousky wet wipes.
💡 On packaging look for bez parfemace (fragrance-free), pro citlivou pleť (for sensitive skin), hypoalergenní (hypoallergenic).
💡 On the package look for pro děti (for children), hypoalergenní (hypoallergenic), na barevné prádlo (for coloured washing); prací gel is a liquid detergent, prášek a powder.
💡 Fitting rooms (zkušební kabinky) are usually at the end of the section; staff often count items and give a number. The question Můžu si to vyzkoušet? is standard.
💡 In a shop a return is the seller's goodwill, the receipt (účtenka) helps; there is usually an exchange rule within a few days. Online purchases can be returned within fourteen days.
💡 Size is velikost; větší (bigger), menší (smaller); sizes are marked with letters or numbers; ask whether it comes v jiné velikosti (in another size).
💡 The fabric composition is složení: bavlna (cotton), vlna (wool), polyester; the label gives the washing, for example prát na třicet stupňů (wash at thirty degrees).
💡 A buyer can make a reklamace about goods with a defect within two years of the purchase; proof of purchase (receipt, card statement) is needed; the seller must resolve the complaint within thirty days.
💡 A new product is covered by a záruka (warranty) of twenty-four months; for a reklamace (complaint) bring the receipt and explain what is wrong; the seller must reply within thirty days.
💡 Connectors: USB-C and Lightning; cables and chargers are in the příslušenství (accessories) section; nabíjecí kabel is a charging cable.
💡 Appliances come with a záruční list (warranty card); keep it with the receipt; the manufacturer's warranty is in addition to the buyer's statutory rights.
💡 Instalments (splátky) are a contract: check the úrok (interest), the number of payments and the total cost; do not sign until you understand the terms.
💡 Read the ad carefully: price, condition, place; meet in a busy place; do not send an advance to a stranger; pay once you have seen the item.
💡 In a second-hand shop prices often depend on the day: new deliveries arrive on certain days and tag colours have different discounts; ask when the fresh batch comes.