topic Re: Limits On Returning Merchandise in Community Chat

Limits On Returning Merchandise

Jordan2 — Tue, 19 Mar 2019 19:01:33 GMT

I was watching The Talk yesterday when they were discussing retailers are putting limits on how many returns you can make. I think this is a mistake, it may have some customers purchasing less. Yes some people may abuse store policies by returning everything, but if I buy clothing online and I don’t like the fit, color, or it just wasn’t what I thought it would be, I want the option of returning it, no questions asked. I don’t want to be stuck with something I don’t love. Also, I don’t want to get blackballed from a store because they feel I made too many returns.

Re: Limits On Returning Merchandise

Beeweaver — Tue, 19 Mar 2019 19:15:47 GMT

@Jordan2 wrote:
I was watching The Talk yesterday when they were discussing retailers are putting limits on how many returns you can make. I think this is a mistake, it may have some customers purchasing less. Yes some people may abuse store policies by returning everything, but if I buy clothing online and I don’t like the fit, color, or it just wasn’t what I thought it would be, I want the option of returning it, no questions asked. I don’t want to be stuck with something I don’t love. Also, I don’t want to get blackballed from a store because they feel I made too many returns.

I work at a Women's clothing store (major retailer). I have for 5 years. There have been only 3 customers that have been told they can not make returns anymore and they were returning everything they purchased both on line and in the store. However, they were abusing the policies, wearing the clothes with tags on and returning, along with many other shady things that I don't want to give people ideas for. Believe me, it happens and retailers lose a lot of money for people who do these types of things. I don't blame the stores. You wouldn't believe what people try to do. I feel 60 days is a generous return policy and people even complain about it. There has to be a limit at some point. I get returning things that don't fit. However, some clothes must fit at some point. Wearing items all the time and then returning them is ridiculous!

Re: Limits On Returning Merchandise

fthunt — Tue, 19 Mar 2019 19:16:40 GMT

It's probably for excessive returns - it's been known by stores that women will buy (fancy dress) - go to a party - and return the dress. If a customer did this more than twice - then I'm with the store.

Re: Limits On Returning Merchandise

CrazyDaisy — Tue, 19 Mar 2019 19:18:13 GMT

Would think if you are making a lot of returns to the same place over and over that is not someplace you would want to continue to shop. They are obviously not meeting your needs. It is one of those things, limit those who abuse the policy or ruin it for everybody and eliminate the policy.

Re: Limits On Returning Merchandise

millieshops — Tue, 19 Mar 2019 19:31:15 GMT

@fthuntI'm not as tolerant as you are - Once is enough - at least for brick and mortar shoppers.

Re: Limits On Returning Merchandise

GAQShopr53 — Tue, 19 Mar 2019 19:34:52 GMT

I totally agree retailers should deal with those who abuse the policy. I also think that blocking those that abuse may backfire on some companies because some shoppers will not research the why of the limit and assume the policy is targeting/limiting them.

Re: Limits On Returning Merchandise

CrazyDaisy — Tue, 19 Mar 2019 19:45:39 GMT

@GAQShopr53 wrote:
I totally agree retailers should deal with those who abuse the policy. I also think that blocking those that abuse may backfire on some companies because some shoppers will not research the why of the limit and assume the policy is targeting/limiting them.

Honestly, if a company gets to a point that they feel the need address it with a customer or even prohibit returns, they are not making money on that customer. No business wants to alienate a customer, however they cannot continue with them if they are loosing money.

Re: Limits On Returning Merchandise

Bri369 — Tue, 19 Mar 2019 19:49:11 GMT

I think a lot of people are abusing the return policies at stores.

If clothes consistently do not fit you, it's time to find another store. Getting price adjustments counts as a return too against you and the store.

Bottom line - stores have to make money. If they aren't, they don't want your business.

Re: Limits On Returning Merchandise

IMW — Tue, 19 Mar 2019 19:53:26 GMT

Without returns on apparel on line or tv shopping is impossible since sizes and bodies are all different.

Re: Limits On Returning Merchandise

mac116 — Tue, 19 Mar 2019 19:56:55 GMT

I worked part time in the fine jewelry department at a major department store in an average middle class suburb. Being paid a small salary plus commission kept the employees working hard for each sale. One of my colleagues asked for a transfer to a different branch of the store in a very wealthy area so that she could earn. She transferred back after several months. Why? Women would buy expensive jewelry to wear to events, then return the items, which would be reflected in her paycheck. Returns would be deducted from commissions, and come with a warning about "bad sales". It took MANY returns for any of those cheaters to be banned from the store.

Re: Limits On Returning Merchandise

ALRATIBA — Tue, 19 Mar 2019 20:45:52 GMT

Return limits and "return tracking" began quite a few years ago. I just went hunting for the article ... from 2013 - USA Today.

Retailers tracking what customers return

Each year, consumers return about $264 billion worth of merchandise, or almost 9% of total sales, according to industry estimates.

Many buyers aren't aware that some returns, with and without receipts, are being monitored at stores that outsource that information to a third-party company, which creates a "return profile" that catalogs and analyzes the customer's returns at the store.

Re: Limits On Returning Merchandise

wishmoon — Tue, 19 Mar 2019 20:53:55 GMT

I definitely agree with most of you, there are ignorant ppl on this earth and they will stretch the rules as far as possible, I wonder where their self-respect is.

I don't send things back often but I'm going to be more careful, not buying "sketchy" clothing, sketchy meaning those I'm unsure of as to size, colors and quality. I have a "Belle" top wrapped and ready to go back, it's so boxy. Sometimes Kim's things fit, other times, they are too boxy. Usually, I donate things that don't fit but several cropped up at once.

Re: Limits On Returning Merchandise

Mj12 — Wed, 20 Mar 2019 11:50:19 GMT

Good. Serial returners cost us all money.

And ever get behind a serial returner at a register in a clothing store?

Re: Limits On Returning Merchandise

lovesrecess — Tue, 19 Mar 2019 21:07:09 GMT

Target has had these types of policy for years. My daughter was put on their “ black list” because she bought several sizes of shoes for the trips and brought back the ones that didn’t fit. Bringing three toddlers in to try on shoes is not worth the time and energy, so this was a smart way to shop for her situation. Target was not amused. They have several return/exchange policies I don’t like so I shop there only occasionally.

Re: Limits On Returning Merchandise

lovesrecess — Tue, 19 Mar 2019 21:12:32 GMT

I think the return policies for online and for shopping in person should be completely different. Online retailers must allow more returns or they will go out of business. I have seen women buy 8 dresses to try on at home...and return the seven that don’t fit the next day. When I was in college I worked for a fabric store....we actually had people try and return yards of fabric after they had cut it for a dress and say they changed their mind and didn’t like the color!

Re: Limits On Returning Merchandise

lovesrecess — Tue, 19 Mar 2019 21:17:26 GMT

Home Depot also has people abuse their return policy...it isn’t just clothing stores. Our neighbor works their part time and I have been amazed what he says people attempt to return for a refund...half-empty paint cans, power tools they used for a weekend and bring back, not even cleaned....burned out light bulbs with the receipt for the new ones they had previously purchased attached, etc.

Re: Limits On Returning Merchandise

lovesrecess — Tue, 19 Mar 2019 21:18:33 GMT

Yes online retailers should have a more lenient policy for returns and it should be specifically spelled out on the checkout page with a box to check before your order is submitted.

Re: Limits On Returning Merchandise

lovesrecess — Tue, 19 Mar 2019 21:20:01 GMT

I am surprised any place takes expensive jewelry back. So unfair to the salespeople on commission.

Re: Limits On Returning Merchandise

Jordan2 — Tue, 19 Mar 2019 23:42:51 GMT

I don’t even like returning spoiled food to a supermarket. King Kullen makes you sign and give your address when returning something, Foodtown also makes you sign. A lot of times I won’t bother to return something.

Re: Limits On Returning Merchandise

SydneyH — Wed, 20 Mar 2019 03:35:17 GMT

We now scan driver's licenses for customers returning merchandise without a receipt, I can't tell you how much that is sending a message to the 'frequent fliers', lol.