topic Re: I Think Some Companies Are Slowing Returns in Community Chat

I Think Some Companies Are Slowing Returns

Sooner — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 14:28:34 GMT

I have decided that some companies are simply holding returns to make an extra buck on interest.

It seems to me that several companies I buy from (Talbots in particular) are holding returns forever--even if you call about them.

I have a Talbots card with a high interest payment. Which I normally pay off. But now my returns are taking forever and the charges roll into the next payment period. And frankly I think it's on purpose because it is just routine with them now.

So are you having this issue? MOST places are fine, returns are credited in a few days or a week after they get it, but not Talbots! I know Covid and issues, but this has just started to seem fishy to me. And they have their own card, rewards and free shipping etc. . . So now the "rewards" are not being worth the free shipping, points, etc. because I'm paying interest.

Re: I Think Some Companies Are Slowing Returns

Kachina624 — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 14:34:15 GMT

@Sooner They could be having labor problems. Almost every business is complaining they can't get help. Given a choice, they'd probably give priority to shipping new orders over processing returns.

Re: I Think Some Companies Are Slowing Returns

Sooner — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 14:37:04 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
@Sooner They could be having labor problems. Almost every business is complaining they can't get help. Given a choice, they'd probably give priority to shipping new orders over processing returns.

@Kachina624 I am skeptical of that. Sorry but I think it is simply a higher profit motoive. It is too consistent and odd that it seems to not improve.

Re: I Think Some Companies Are Slowing Returns

Icegoddess — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 14:45:35 GMT

If they are charging you interest on a return, they should refund that interest. If they aren't charging you a late fee for not paying for the returned item, then they obviously know it was returned and you also shouldn't be charged the interest.

If they are charging you interest and then not crediting your account for it I would call CS and demand a refund. If the credit card is backed by a bank, let them know you will report it to the FTC. If it's not backed by a bank, I probably wouldn't use it anymore and at least report it to BBB.

Re: I Think Some Companies Are Slowing Returns

millieshops — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 14:53:52 GMT

Someone who actually knows would have to tell us, but I have a suspicion that as more and more shoppers have turned to online buying, the percentage of returns has skyrocketed with the new purchasing. No matter how long they hold paying out the return to the consumer, at current interest rates on money in short-term investments, it would not begin to pay for the cost of managing the returns.

I know that doesn't begin to explain why some companies are still coping better than others, but we'd need more info to know that, too. Companies like Amazon and Walmart and Target which are platforms for other companies and are also 2 to 5 times as big as QVC ought to be doing better since they have more ways to protect their own merchandise.

@Sooner I have been fortunate with my few QVC returns that not one has rolled into the next cycle, but if one did, I'd pay my whole card charge because the interest on every card I know about is higher than the interest I get on the money I use to pay monthly expenses. Of course, I can do that because I refuse to buy so much I couldn't pay cash if I could find what I wanted locally. I know many depend on getting those return dollars.

Re: I Think Some Companies Are Slowing Returns

Desertdi — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 14:56:22 GMT

I doubt that they are earning interest on their working capital from "returned items"......

Re: I Think Some Companies Are Slowing Returns

Sooner — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 15:02:23 GMT

@millieshops wrote:
Someone who actually knows would have to tell us, but I have a suspicion that as more and more shoppers have turned to online buying, the percentage of returns has skyrocketed with the new purchasing. No matter how long they hold paying out the return to the consumer, at current interest rates on money in short-term investments, it would not begin to pay for the cost of managing the returns.

I know that doesn't begin to explain why some companies are still coping better than others, but we'd need more info to know that, too. Companies like Amazon and Walmart and Target which are platforms for other companies and are also 2 to 5 times as big as QVC ought to be doing better since they have more ways to protect their own merchandise.

@Sooner I have been fortunate with my few QVC returns that not one has rolled into the next cycle, but if one did, I'd pay my whole card charge because the interest on every card I know about is higher than the interest I get on the money I use to pay monthly expenses. Of course, I can do that because I refuse to buy so much I couldn't pay cash if I could find what I wanted locally. I know many depend on getting those return dollars.

@millieshops The problem is that IF I paid the whole amount, it would be a sizeable figure on the items I returned and the Talbots card is 24.99 percent interest. AND then it takes forever and a day to get a refund on what you paid for the return.

It's not about what you are talking about in this response. It isn't ability or desire to day. It's about a return taking about 2 months to even show up as returned, then even longer for the credit to appear as credited back. And it has happened more, this is the third time recently.

This last time on 3 expensive items. And no I am not going shopping elsewhere because their clothes are great and I hate what Dillards has.

Re: I Think Some Companies Are Slowing Returns

Love my grandkids — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 15:08:37 GMT

These conspiracy theories make me laugh!

Re: I Think Some Companies Are Slowing Returns

Desertdi — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 15:14:18 GMT

The BANK which owns the credit card is the entity charging interest

Re: I Think Some Companies Are Slowing Returns

RhondaRena — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 15:14:48 GMT

I have noticed J Jill takes longer and the items sent back still comes in on my bill. My remedy has been to order less and be more selective.

I have also noticed sales are not what they have been in the past.

Re: I Think Some Companies Are Slowing Returns

Hippiified — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 16:30:02 GMT

Covid!

Re: I Think Some Companies Are Slowing Returns

Sooner — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 16:39:15 GMT

@Desertdi Yes, but Talbots sure gets a cut from it. And some credit cards take way longer than others to credit your money back, however it seems they can debit your card before you can blink. Literally. And that is simply by their choice.

It could go back on the card as quick as it was taken from the card. But doesn't.

Re: I Think Some Companies Are Slowing Returns

millieshops — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 16:54:19 GMT

@Sooner Wow! They are bad. One more reason for me to stay away from Talbots. They once had a large footprint in our upscale local mall - I'd say the equivalent of 4 of the smaller stores. They closed them all in the 2007-8 downturn.

About 2 years ago, they opened in the same mall but half the footprint. Lots of cars parked outside that mall, but I have not walked all the way through it for well over a year. No idea who is even still open let alone who is busy enough to survive as brick and mortar.

Re: I Think Some Companies Are Slowing Returns

Desertdi — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 16:55:35 GMT

@Sooner Ah ha. I have no experience with a "store financed" card. I sold wholesale.

Re: I Think Some Companies Are Slowing Returns

Greeneyedlady21 — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 17:09:17 GMT

@Love my grandkids wrote:
These conspiracy theories make me laugh!

Stick around, they're always available on these forums.

Re: I Think Some Companies Are Slowing Returns

pdlinda — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 18:43:30 GMT

@Sooner I used to be a big Talbot's shopper 30 years ago when I lived in CT. Since then I have kept up with reading about retail trends and Talbot's seems to have borne the brunt of declining sales for the particular type of woman they cater to in the stores or online. I, for one, haven't purchased anything from them in years.

Your theory about them holding on to every dollar as long as they can makes a lot of sense to me and would cause me aggravation.

I prefer to shop in places that are solid and healthy financially and where returns are immediate (I'll use Costco for an example) and applies to any clothing I buy there that I'm not satisfied with no matter how long I own it.

I agree that the Talbot's style that I loved for many years is not matched at other retailers; however, my tastes have changed to fit the casual retired lifestyle I have today.

Re: I Think Some Companies Are Slowing Returns

Sooner — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 19:00:09 GMT

@pdlinda wrote:
@Sooner I used to be a big Talbot's shopper 30 years ago when I lived in CT. Since then I have kept up with reading about retail trends and Talbot's seems to have borne the brunt of declining sales for the particular type of woman they cater to in the stores or online. I, for one, haven't purchased anything from them in years.

Your theory about them holding on to every dollar as long as they can makes a lot of sense to me and would cause me aggravation.

I prefer to shop in places that are solid and healthy financially and where returns are immediate (I'll use Costco for an example) and applies to any clothing I buy there that I'm not satisfied with no matter how long I own it.

I agree that the Talbot's style that I loved for many years is not matched at other retailers; however, my tastes have changed to fit the casual retired lifestyle I have today.

@pdlinda Being unfashionable, I love Talbots.

Re: I Think Some Companies Are Slowing Returns

Sooner — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 19:17:38 GMT

@Greeneyedlady21 wrote:
@Love my grandkids wrote:
These conspiracy theories make me laugh!
Stick around, they're always available on these forums.

@Greeneyedlady21 Conspiracy theories? It's about returns. Not what happend to Jimmy Hoffa. . .

Re: I Think Some Companies Are Slowing Returns

Still Raining — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 20:51:18 GMT

Come on all you accountants, what about the allowance against revenue for returns? That percent will be audited and it hurts.

Re: I Think Some Companies Are Slowing Returns

elated — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 21:37:31 GMT

I buy from Macy's and J Jill online but I return to the local store. When you return your items, don't you have a tracking number that shows status? If it shows returned, I would not be paying for my return items.

The only time I had a situation was during the store closures for Macy's when I sent a sheet set back to them. It showed return on my account but no credit was given. I called them and received a credit on my account within 3 days.

I am not sure what is going on with your account but remember the squeaky wheel gets the grease. I would not be waiting around for them to credit my account. I would continue to escalate my concern until I got to the right party who will credit your account.