topic Re: Online Retailers Getting Very Stingy in Community Chat

Online Retailers Getting Very Stingy

rms1954 — Sat, 23 Nov 2019 16:29:37 GMT

With return policies. Many places I've shopped in years past will not refund S&H charges for a defective item. Not to mention they charge $15 or more for one item. I am seriously reconsidering before I purchase from these retailers. Also when I called to question lack of refund on original S&H, he pushed to send a replacement. I said I didn't want the replacement, just refund amount charged as it was defective. He pushed and pushed but I stood my ground. Finally he said "as a one time courtesy" they would refund the original S&H but also interjected that it's very unlikely that they would send a defective item. OK, but you did this time, likely or not.

Re: Online Retailers Getting Very Stingy

skatting44 — Sat, 23 Nov 2019 16:55:36 GMT

@rms1954 wrote:
With return policies. Many places I've shopped in years past will not refund S&H charges for a defective item. Not to mention they charge $15 or more for one item. I am seriously reconsidering before I purchase from these retailers. Also when I called to question lack of refund on original S&H, he pushed to send a replacement. I said I didn't want the replacement, just refund amount charged as it was defective. He pushed and pushed but I stood my ground. Finally he said "as a one time courtesy" they would refund the original S&H but also interjected that it's very unlikely that they would send a defective item. OK, but you did this time, likely or not.

Appreciate the FYI . Which retailers are at issue ?

Re: Online Retailers Getting Very Stingy

geezerette — Sat, 23 Nov 2019 16:58:15 GMT

I've noticed some retailers also increasing their minimums for free shipping.

Re: Online Retailers Getting Very Stingy

ID2 — Sat, 23 Nov 2019 17:09:40 GMT

Eee gad just go to you local merchant and shop in person!! I would never pay for shipping! I live rural so online shopping is a lot more convenient but I won't do it if I have to. I much rather shop local. Supporting my own businesses is a big priority for me.

Re: Online Retailers Getting Very Stingy

geezerette — Sat, 23 Nov 2019 17:17:17 GMT

@ID2 wrote:
Eee gad just go to you local merchant and shop in person!! I would never pay for shipping! I live rural so online shopping is a lot more convenient but I won't do it if I have to. I much rather shop local. Supporting my own businesses is a big priority for me.

@ID2

I'd rather shop local, too. But my 'local' shopping is Walmart--that's it. Even that is ten miles away. Any other type of store is at least two hours from me. And limited choices as well.

And what I hear from those that live in cities, the stock in brick and mortar stores has become very limited in the last few years. They are also pushing people online.

Re: Online Retailers Getting Very Stingy

Nuttmeg — Sat, 23 Nov 2019 17:20:31 GMT

Shipping costs have gotten very expensive.

Re: Online Retailers Getting Very Stingy

shoesnbags — Sat, 23 Nov 2019 17:23:36 GMT

@rms1954

It would be helpful if you shared exactly what merchant you had this experience with. Then we’d know who to avoid.

Re: Online Retailers Getting Very Stingy

CAcableGirl2 — Sat, 23 Nov 2019 17:30:09 GMT

I'm not suggesting that this is the case with the poster, but some retailers are now "tracking" customers to see how many returns they make vs. the number of items they order.

It becomes a cost issue if they lose money with return orders.

I tend to buy items on-line (other then the Q), that have a local store nearby. That way I can bring any returns to them, especially if damaged in shipping. It easy for them to confirm the damage and I've never had an issue, just make sure to return within their time frame (most stores are 30-90 days), but some stores have a 7 day return policy like Barnes and Noble, even if purchasing a gift during the holidays - I decided not to buy it based on their return policy and they lost a sale. That policy have changed since then, but I can understand how some stores have to control the number of returns, especially when you see people returning live Christmas trees after the holiday to stores like Lowes, etc.. and expect all their money back.

Re: Online Retailers Getting Very Stingy

Shanus — Sat, 23 Nov 2019 19:13:29 GMT

I've gotten quite frugal (uh, cheap). If an item isn't free shipping and free returns, no store credits, no questions asked, etc., I can find it elsewhere or I don't need it that badly.

Re: Online Retailers Getting Very Stingy

rms1954 — Sat, 23 Nov 2019 19:15:29 GMT

Sundance.

Re: Online Retailers Getting Very Stingy

bonappetit — Sat, 23 Nov 2019 19:57:14 GMT

Nordstrom is still free S&H. Plus good, sometimes great customer service!!

Re: Online Retailers Getting Very Stingy

Sooner — Sat, 23 Nov 2019 19:42:53 GMT

@ID2 wrote:
Eee gad just go to you local merchant and shop in person!! I would never pay for shipping! I live rural so online shopping is a lot more convenient but I won't do it if I have to. I much rather shop local. Supporting my own businesses is a big priority for me.

@ID2 I would WAY rather pay for shipping than drag around town looking for something THEN after hours and miles not find what I want. I'm sorry but with all there is out there, times are changing.

Re: Online Retailers Getting Very Stingy

Wsmom — Sat, 23 Nov 2019 22:44:38 GMT

@Sooner wrote:
@ID2 wrote:
Eee gad just go to you local merchant and shop in person!! I would never pay for shipping! I live rural so online shopping is a lot more convenient but I won't do it if I have to. I much rather shop local. Supporting my own businesses is a big priority for me.
@ID2 I would WAY rather pay for shipping than drag around town looking for something THEN after hours and miles not find what I want. I'm sorry but with all there is out there, times are changing.

@Sooner, my thoughts, too. I don't care about refunding the shipping; nice perk if they do, though. But I don't expect a store that I drive to to refund my gas for driving both ways to purchase and return if I do decide to take it back, and at four bucks a gallon where I live, that adds up fast.

Now if it is defective or they send the wrong item, different story. But if I just don't like it, it doesn't fit, wrong color, oh well. That's a chance I took.

Re: Online Retailers Getting Very Stingy

NickNack — Sat, 23 Nov 2019 22:49:52 GMT

@rms1954 wrote:
Sundance.

@rms1954 I've heard stories before about people having problems shopping there.

Re: Online Retailers Getting Very Stingy

Shanus — Sun, 24 Nov 2019 00:16:41 GMT

@Sooner wrote:
@ID2 wrote:
Eee gad just go to you local merchant and shop in person!! I would never pay for shipping! I live rural so online shopping is a lot more convenient but I won't do it if I have to. I much rather shop local. Supporting my own businesses is a big priority for me.
@ID2 I would WAY rather pay for shipping than drag around town looking for something THEN after hours and miles not find what I want. I'm sorry but with all there is out there, times are changing.

@Sooner Yes, I guess sometimes you just shop online if necessary. Most stores don't carry same merchandise in petites, but do online.

Re: Online Retailers Getting Very Stingy

GenXmuse — Sun, 24 Nov 2019 01:39:01 GMT

Sundance is a total headache considering how expensive they are.

Re: Online Retailers Getting Very Stingy

sassenach1 — Sun, 24 Nov 2019 01:51:51 GMT

This thread is about Sundance. I shop online 90% of the time. I don’t see negative changes from online retailers where I shop.

Re: Online Retailers Getting Very Stingy

Trinity11 — Sun, 24 Nov 2019 01:57:13 GMT

@Sooner wrote:
@ID2 wrote:
Eee gad just go to you local merchant and shop in person!! I would never pay for shipping! I live rural so online shopping is a lot more convenient but I won't do it if I have to. I much rather shop local. Supporting my own businesses is a big priority for me.
@ID2 I would WAY rather pay for shipping than drag around town looking for something THEN after hours and miles not find what I want. I'm sorry but with all there is out there, times are changing.

@Sooner, ID2 has shared on the forums that she herself owns a business, so I guess that would enter into her decision to shop local.

Re: Online Retailers Getting Very Stingy

Sooner — Sun, 24 Nov 2019 02:02:09 GMT

@Trinity11 wrote:
@Sooner wrote:
@ID2 wrote:
Eee gad just go to you local merchant and shop in person!! I would never pay for shipping! I live rural so online shopping is a lot more convenient but I won't do it if I have to. I much rather shop local. Supporting my own businesses is a big priority for me.
@ID2 I would WAY rather pay for shipping than drag around town looking for something THEN after hours and miles not find what I want. I'm sorry but with all there is out there, times are changing.
@Sooner, ID2 has shared on the forums that she herself owns a business, so I guess that would enter into her decision to shop local.

@Trinity11 Of course I understand and support that. I support local small businesses, but for clothing, it's online only. Local small shops don't cater to my taste and size, and I'm not about to plough through the mess at Dillards.

I hate that local hardware stores and other such small shops don't exist, but the US customer only wants the cheapest thing they can find and lots of it over neighbors having jobs. I can't change the world, so it is what it is. A shame.

Re: Online Retailers Getting Very Stingy

Trinity11 — Sun, 24 Nov 2019 02:04:48 GMT

@Sooner wrote:
@Trinity11 wrote:
@Sooner wrote:
@ID2 wrote:
Eee gad just go to you local merchant and shop in person!! I would never pay for shipping! I live rural so online shopping is a lot more convenient but I won't do it if I have to. I much rather shop local. Supporting my own businesses is a big priority for me.
@ID2 I would WAY rather pay for shipping than drag around town looking for something THEN after hours and miles not find what I want. I'm sorry but with all there is out there, times are changing.
@Sooner, ID2 has shared on the forums that she herself owns a business, so I guess that would enter into her decision to shop local.
@Trinity11 Of course I understand and support that. I support local small businesses, but for clothing, it's online only. Local small shops don't cater to my taste and size, and I'm not about to plough through the mess at Dillards.

I hate that local hardware stores and other such small shops don't exist, but the US customer only wants the cheapest thing they can find and lots of it over neighbors having jobs. I can't change the world, so it is what it is. A shame.

@Sooner...I am with you all the way and concur. I haven't been able to do a quarter of what I used to do due to some health challenges and I don't know what I would do without on-line shopping.

I just wanted to share that this particular poster supports local shopping because she has an interest in it herself.