topic Re: Supermarkets not accepting returns in Community Chat

Supermarkets not accepting returns

Catch71 — Sun, 23 May 2021 17:43:59 GMT

My local supermarket, which is a chain, has not been accepting returns of any kind (not even unopened boxes) because of Covid. This has saved them a lot of money and I wonder if returns will ever be accepted again. Since most restrictions have been lifted it will be interesting to see. I understand a food item that is not sanitary proof but things like boxed items should be allowed.

Re: Supermarkets not accepting returns

suzyQ3 — Sun, 23 May 2021 17:46:42 GMT

My supermarket has a new sign saying that they will now accept returns.

Re: Supermarkets not accepting returns

Mz iMac — Sun, 23 May 2021 17:54:28 GMT

@Catch71 Which chain supermarket?

I've returned items throughout the pandemic to my supermarket-Shoprite. They never accepted the items but did get my $$$ back because I had receipts.

I threw the items in THEIR trash bins.

Re: Supermarkets not accepting returns

froggy — Sun, 23 May 2021 17:55:55 GMT

During the height of the pandemic last I bought a bunch of Lock and Lock through the mail from Walmart that turned out to be the wrong size. When I went to my order to start a return I just got a message that they weren't accepting returns but I got a refund anyway.

Re: Supermarkets not accepting returns

CelticCrafter — Sun, 23 May 2021 18:04:16 GMT

We've been able to return/exchange things to Shoprite.

One time we bought decaf tea bags instead of regular and we were able to swap them out. Same with Goldfish Crackers, we grabbed a bag that wasn't included on the coupon and we were able to switch it and get the discount refunded.

Re: Supermarkets not accepting returns

Alter Ego — Sun, 23 May 2021 18:08:37 GMT

I haven’t had to return anything lately, but I did notice that the service counter had a sign that said they were not accepting returns of cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, etc. I took that to mean that they were now accepting other returns.

I usually never ever return anything at the supermarket, but I bought the wrong dose vitamins at the start of the pandemic and was unable to exchange them for correct ones. It was the same store, which is why I noticed the change in the sign’s wording.

Re: Supermarkets not accepting returns

gidgetgh — Sun, 23 May 2021 18:12:35 GMT

I can only remember returning 1 item in my entire 65 years. I bought the wrong kind of an item. I can't remember what it was.

Re: Supermarkets not accepting returns

Annabellethecat66 — Sun, 23 May 2021 18:15:50 GMT

I guess this sounds stupid but why would you return your groceries?

If I buy something I wanted to try and didn't like I'll give it to one or more of my friends.

That way, they can try it and it doesn't cost them any money. As it turns out often they do like it.

What kind of items would you want to return?

Re: Supermarkets not accepting returns

depglass — Sun, 23 May 2021 18:16:08 GMT

I would never return a food item unless something was wrong with it and it had cost quite a bit. I notice our pharmacy, which has a gift department, is still not accepting returns.

Re: Supermarkets not accepting returns

Mominohio — Sun, 23 May 2021 18:20:12 GMT

Here is my area of Ohio, they have been taking returns for a year now. It still amazes me how different states and areas handled things in shutdowns and restrictions differently, and how incredibly slowly some areas have been to come back toward normal.

Re: Supermarkets not accepting returns

homedecor1 — Sun, 23 May 2021 18:43:48 GMT

WM accepted returns thru the pandemic although you started it online. I never return any "grocery" items but I know if you do "it's food for food" per their refund info. No $$ returned.

Publix will only accept if "bad/defective" no other returns. I'm sure they're saving tons of $$$ because I know people who would return food after cooked🙄. Always amazed me the "no ?s asked policy".

I'm noticing more BOGO deals lately at Publix and WinnDixie (FL)

Plus, our State has been open since I think May,2020 with limited restrictions our Governor has different mindset😉 which I'm glad as I was just in NJ/PA geez...I was surprised how different it was there.

Re: Supermarkets not accepting returns

LuvmyLab — Sun, 23 May 2021 18:46:57 GMT

I've had no trouble returning things at my local store. They have accepted what returns I had with no problem.

Re: Supermarkets not accepting returns

suzyQ3 — Sun, 23 May 2021 18:52:27 GMT

@Mominohio wrote:
Here is my area of Ohio, they have been taking returns for a year now. It still amazes me how different states and areas handled things in shutdowns and restrictions differently, and how incredibly slowly some areas have been to come back toward normal.

@Mominohio, here in California we were slow, and I think that eventually it turned out to be a good thing. We opening up everything in about three weeks.

Re: Supermarkets not accepting returns

Porcelain — Sun, 23 May 2021 18:58:39 GMT

@Annabellethecat66 wrote:
I guess this sounds stupid but why would you return your groceries?

If I buy something I wanted to try and didn't like I'll give it to one or more of my friends.

That way, they can try it and it doesn't cost them any money. As it turns out often they do like it.

What kind of items would you want to return?

DH occasionally comes home with the wrong item. Usually I just keep it and make it work.

But there have been a few instances where it was very important to have the exact correct item, so either he or I went back to get it. That was when we asked to do the exchange. It made sense because the wrong item was no good to either of us. No point in keeping it and never using it.

Re: Supermarkets not accepting returns

Tinkrbl44 — Sun, 23 May 2021 19:04:31 GMT

@Annabellethecat66 wrote:
I guess this sounds stupid but why would you return your groceries?

If I buy something I wanted to try and didn't like I'll give it to one or more of my friends.

That way, they can try it and it doesn't cost them any money. As it turns out often they do like it.

What kind of items would you want to return?

@Annabellethecat66 @Catch71

I was wondering the same thing. If something is spoiled, it's pretty obvious management will make it right. The OP mentions an unopened box of something or other ..... what could possibly justify a return?

Or was this just an impulse purchase ... and the buyer was going to try to get their money back after making a wrong decision?

@Catch71 .... What kind of items are you referring to?

Re: Supermarkets not accepting returns

ALRATIBA — Sun, 23 May 2021 20:14:17 GMT

Thinking back to my Business Law classes in high school .... "there's an implied warranty that foods sold or served to be eaten are fit for human consumption."

I think they have to give you your money back - whether they accept the return is another issue.

(We had to memorize legal principles ... and I still remember some of them.)

Re: Supermarkets not accepting returns

catter70 — Sun, 23 May 2021 20:14:20 GMT

Walmart in my area wasn't doing returns for several months, but has been doing them again for awhile. I purchased the wrong cough syrup at Wegman's and returned it unopened in about an hour of purchase. They gave me my money back, but they put stickers on it so it couldn't be resold.

Re: Supermarkets not accepting returns

shoesnbags — Sun, 23 May 2021 21:00:24 GMT

@Annabellethecat66 wrote:
I guess this sounds stupid but why would you return your groceries?

If I buy something I wanted to try and didn't like I'll give it to one or more of my friends.

That way, they can try it and it doesn't cost them any money. As it turns out often they do like it.

What kind of items would you want to return?

@Annabellethecat66

Suppose you meant to pick up 3 cans of low sodium peas, and you grabbed one can that was regular ( with salt). You'd want to return that one can. Or if the family member who doesn't usually shop for the groceries buys the wrong version or brand of something (not naming any names here lol) you might want to return said item.

Re: Supermarkets not accepting returns

suzyQ3 — Sun, 23 May 2021 21:21:38 GMT

@shoesnbags wrote:
@Annabellethecat66 wrote:
I guess this sounds stupid but why would you return your groceries?

If I buy something I wanted to try and didn't like I'll give it to one or more of my friends.

That way, they can try it and it doesn't cost them any money. As it turns out often they do like it.

What kind of items would you want to return?
@Annabellethecat66
Suppose you meant to pick up 3 cans of low sodium peas, and you grabbed one can that was regular ( with salt). You'd want to return that one can. Or if the family member who doesn't usually shop for the groceries buys the wrong version or brand of something (not naming any names here lol) you might want to return said item.

Right, @shoesnbags. I've also returned items that turned out not to be fresh or in good shape.

Re: Supermarkets not accepting returns

Etoile308 — Sun, 23 May 2021 23:30:33 GMT

Where I live, food items returned to a store are then trashed and not resold. If I picked up the wrong peas, they'd be donated to the food pantry.