When do you use the goods?

[Thinker]

Hello!! Can you tell me pease When do you use the goods? and When do you use the merchandise?

many thanks in advance
Thinker

[Alan]

Hi,

Goods is more general.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Cool Expressions

[Chocolatee]

Hi! To me, both are interchangeable. Please explain what you mean by "goods" is more general? A few examples would be very helpful. Thank you.

[Jamie (K)]

I think merchandise means goods that are now for sale. We say, for example that someone delivers goods. Once the goods have been delivered, they are displayed as merchandise. Remember that to have merchandise you need to have some kind of merchant. To have goods, you only need to have a manufacturer.

[Chocolatee]

Oh, okay. I'd like to ask one more question though. What do we use if we are asking this question? Do we say, "Did you get the goods?" or "Did you get the merchandise?" Well, I think we say the first but how about the second sentence?

[Jamie (K)]