Help me English this phrase

Diagro

Diagro

Diagro

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Joined
3 Jun 2012
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11,263
Hey.

So, I have a phrase I say when I can't help someone... Even though I want to.

I say:
I cant help you, even if I wanted to.

For example, customer asks for a phone screen repair, unfortunately I don't have a certain part available to do so. So I reply with:
"Sorry, I don't have stock, so I can't help you even if I wanted to".

My wife says that this is very rude and basically means I don't want to help the person.

Have I been rude to loads of people throughout my life????!?!? Or is she mad.

Thanks all
 
I couldn’t help you, even if I wanted to.

The bit “even if I wanted to” can sound as if you didn't want to help in the first place.

Best to say something like:

I’m really sorry I can’t help you in this case, as we have no stock.

The phrase itself is thrown around a lot, but I could see it getting some people’s backs up - especially if the person you’re talking to is a stranger to you.
 
"I couldn't help you even if I wanted to" would be more correct, but it could still come across as quite rude.

You are implying that you do not/did not want to help the customer regardless of the stock situation.
 
I would take that as you didn't want to help but even if you did, you couldn't.

"even if I wanted to" is effectively a redundant statement if you do want to, so by feeling the need to add that, it can make the implication you don't want to.

Personally it's the sort of thing I would say if I was trying to avoid something and wanted to discourage further attempts at being convinced.

"I don't want to pick you up from the airport at 3am and my car is broken anyway so I couldn't, even if I wanted to"
 
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'even if I wanted to' is correct English and makes logical sense. But it is not a good thing to say in a professional context, and not what someone would expect to hear from someone responding to a customer query.
It's not very rude, but certainly inadvisable.
 
Yes that’s quite rude...

Better would be:

“I wish I could help, but I’m afraid I cannot”

Usually a good option to give a brief explanation why... like out of stock etc.

Or closer to your phrase:

“I can’t help you, even though I want to”

Or

“I can’t help you, though I wish I could”
 
Does sound a bit rude and tbh doesn't sound very professional.

Not having stock isn't always a definite no anyway, can you get stock if they wait for example or can you order parts in with an added charge if it is just a one off?

"I'm sorry we are currently out of stock of this item but it will be available on the xx. Please let me know if you would like to place your order"

"I'm sorry we currently don't offer screen repair on that model but thank you for your enquiry"

Not saying use those word for word, just ideas.
 
Oh bugger.

Well.... Hmm. It seems I have been rude to many many many people over the years.
Without even realising it too, in my mind I'm saying "I can't help you at the moment, even though I really do want to".

It seems I need to train myself out of saying the rude version. No wonder some people sound odd on the phone when the conversation ends... I just assumed people were annoyed I didn't have a supplier for their part requirement. Or due to my lack of time or stock.
Turns out I'm just a rude sod xD
 
Sounds psychotic yes.
I cant help you, even if i wanted to... lolol. Sounds like an angry, moody teenager. OF COURSE YOU WANT TO HELP. Why EVEN say it? If you didn't want to help you wouldn't even answer.

Unfortunately the ***** you ordered is out of stock so i cannot help you today.
 
I've heard this saying a lot over the years, I didn't really think about it being offensive, but then again isn't everything these days. :D
 
Em3bbs said:
I've heard this saying a lot over the years, I didn't really think about it being offensive, but then again isn't everything these days. :D
Click to expand...
It's not offensive, it's just a rude/daft thing to say in the context of customer service.

Implying to potential customers that you don't want to help them isn't the best business development tactic you'll ever find :p
 
"Even if i wanted to"
This means you don't really want to help.

"I cant help you even if i wanted to"
Means you think the person cannot be helped, basically you're calling them insane.
 
Diagro said:
That to me sounds rude
Click to expand...
It is, if anything it's worse. That effectively says "I can't help you even if I can" :p

I can't help you, even though I want to

That's fine and I think is what you thought you were saying to people.

Other suggestions above are good though, regarding offering to order in if they're happy to wait etc.
 
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