topic Re: online retailers cracking down on returns in Community Chat

online retailers cracking down on returns

traveler — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 18:41:59 GMT

CBS This Morning had an interesting story on chronic returners and how internet retailers they will retaliate. Not sure if posting a link is allowed anymore.

Re: online retailers cracking down on returns

Topaz Gem — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 18:50:24 GMT

I think they need to do something. Chronic returners cost us all money. We should have the right to return reasonably, but there needs to be a way to target those that make a sport of buying/returning.

Re: online retailers cracking down on returns

Linders Back — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 18:57:36 GMT

I think people often ""rent"" a higher price item: bag; shoes; jewelry; for an event and then return it. I know many stores used to experience high volume ""sales's"" of Big screen TVs before the Super Bowl or other party type event and started cracking down on those returns.

I think it's about time return policies are tightened. Better for all consumers in the long run.

Re: online retailers cracking down on returns

Marianne1 — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 19:01:29 GMT

Relaliate? That sound menacing! LOL

I hate returning things in the mail. What a pain, tracking, seeing if the refund is actually issued, if the amount of the refund is correct.

Re: online retailers cracking down on returns

chickenbutt — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 19:03:14 GMT

On 2/14/2014 Topaz Gem said:
I think they need to do something. Chronic returners cost us all money. We should have the right to return reasonably, but there needs to be a way to target those that make a sport of buying/returning.

My exact thoughts.

'Chronic' returners and thievery are probably the two most unnecessary things that cause all of us to pay more for merchandise.

Re: online retailers cracking down on returns

JobGirl — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 19:08:33 GMT

On 2/14/2014 chickenbutt said:
On 2/14/2014 Topaz Gem said:
I think they need to do something. Chronic returners cost us all money. We should have the right to return reasonably, but there needs to be a way to target those that make a sport of buying/returning.

My exact thoughts.

'Chronic' returners and thievery are probably the two most unnecessary things that cause all of us to pay more for merchandise.

I guess it all depends on what their idea of "chronic" is-online shopping is by its nature bound to have more returns-and if things come broken damaged defective etc they should not be counted against anyone but often they do-

Re: online retailers cracking down on returns

Topaz Gem — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 19:13:12 GMT

On 2/14/2014 Linders Back said:
I think people often "rent" a higher price item: bag; shoes; jewelry; for an event and then return it. I know many stores used to experience high volume "sales's" of Big screen TVs before the Super Bowl or other party type event and started cracking down on those returns.

I think it's about time return policies are tightened. Better for all consumers in the long run.

I agree, and it's easier and more anonymous to do it online. That way they don't have to face a salesperson and come up with an excuse as to why they're returning an item that has obviously been worn/used.

Re: online retailers cracking down on returns

chickenbutt — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 19:17:28 GMT

Returning 'defective in manufacturing' and 'damaged in shipping' items doesn't have anything to do with so-called chronic returners.

These are people who, for example, buy 4 of something for the express purpose of choosing one and returning the rest. Or buying something to use or wear for an event with every intent of returning it after said event, to use the item for free. They get their money back and the retailer has a used item. Or somebody who uses something, breaks it, then returns it as defective.

Customers like this are easy to figure out because their buying history speaks volumes. But it's hard to stop some of them because the smarter ones will use numerous retailers to spread around their thievery.

Re: online retailers cracking down on returns

DoneTryin — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 19:28:50 GMT

It's not just the online retailers that have a problem with chronic ""returners.""

Re: online retailers cracking down on returns

colliemom4 — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 19:33:04 GMT

On 2/14/2014 VCamp2748 said:
It's not just the online retailers that have a problem with chronic ""returners.""

Very true.

Re: online retailers cracking down on returns

CouponQueen — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 19:56:15 GMT

On 2/14/2014 chickenbutt said:
Returning 'defective in manufacturing' and 'damaged in shipping' items doesn't have anything to do with so-called chronic returners.

These are people who, for example, buy 4 of something for the express purpose of choosing one and returning the rest. Or buying something to use or wear for an event with every intent of returning it after said event, to use the item for free. They get their money back and the retailer has a used item. Or somebody who uses something, breaks it, then returns it as defective.

Customers like this are easy to figure out because their buying history speaks volumes. But it's hard to stop some of them because the smarter ones will use numerous retailers to spread around their thievery.

Just reading these boards people are not sure of size or color and they order multiple.

Or use something until extended holiday period and return..

Re: online retailers cracking down on returns

evelomaddict — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 20:03:43 GMT

it's about time. there are a lot of people who buy items just so they can say they tried it, knowing full well that they will return it. i've seen this many times on the beauty forum.

it's very unsettling to me that someone could do such a thing.

Re: online retailers cracking down on returns

chickenbutt — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 20:06:14 GMT

On 2/14/2014 evelomaddict said:
it's about time. there are a lot of people who buy items just so they can say they tried it, knowing full well that they will return it. i've seen this many times on the beauty forum.

it's very unsettling to me that someone could do such a thing.

Yes indeed. IMO, cosmetics and undergarments are two categories for which there should never be returns. With cosmetics I see a lot of 'well, I just didn't like it'. Well, how about take it like a woman and eat the loss. I've purchased cosmetics and decided they were not for me but I could not imagine taking, or sending, them back. I made the choice and I made the wrong choice. Chalk it up.

Re: online retailers cracking down on returns

Lotus — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 20:08:16 GMT

On 2/14/2014 CouponQueen said:
On 2/14/2014 chickenbutt said:
Returning 'defective in manufacturing' and 'damaged in shipping' items doesn't have anything to do with so-called chronic returners.

These are people who, for example, buy 4 of something for the express purpose of choosing one and returning the rest. Or buying something to use or wear for an event with every intent of returning it after said event, to use the item for free. They get their money back and the retailer has a used item. Or somebody who uses something, breaks it, then returns it as defective.

Customers like this are easy to figure out because their buying history speaks volumes. But it's hard to stop some of them because the smarter ones will use numerous retailers to spread around their thievery.

Just reading these boards people are not sure of size or color and they order multiple.

Or use something until extended holiday period and return..

The only other choice would not buy anything.

So I guess, it's a lose/lose situation for the vendor and the consumer.

In a brick and mortar store you can bring multiple sizes into a fitting room, we don't have that option when buying online.

So I either buy one....doesn't fit and send it back.

Buy two and send the one back that doesn't fit.

Or don't buy it all.

So online vendors should take that into consideration.

I KNOW there are people that abuse the return policies.....but those of us that legitimately try to get the size or product that we expect should not be punished.

JMHO

Re: online retailers cracking down on returns

Sushismom — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 20:31:24 GMT

Fit is why I use garment measurements and not size. I know the measurements of tops and bottoms that fit me the way I like. I use these measurements when purchasing clothing online. If there are no measurements, I don't buy.

Re: online retailers cracking down on returns

serenity4ever — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 20:37:50 GMT

On 2/14/2014 chickenbutt said:
On 2/14/2014 evelomaddict said:
it's about time. there are a lot of people who buy items just so they can say they tried it, knowing full well that they will return it. i've seen this many times on the beauty forum.

it's very unsettling to me that someone could do such a thing.

Yes indeed. IMO, cosmetics and undergarments are two categories for which there should never be returns. With cosmetics I see a lot of 'well, I just didn't like it'. Well, how about take it like a woman and eat the loss. I've purchased cosmetics and decided they were not for me but I could not imagine taking, or sending, them back. I made the choice and I made the wrong choice. Chalk it up.

I would add shoes to that list. I don't understand how QVC takes back shoes that someone has test-driven.I have never heard of returning a pair of shoes to any brick and mortar store because they were not comfortable. The issue is that they cannot be resold and I have been surprised at the number of times I have read on the forums that people just send them back...All that does is raise the prices overall and we the customers have to eat the loss with higher prices.

Re: online retailers cracking down on returns

JobGirl — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 20:59:49 GMT

Of course there will always be the chronic return shopper and that is already built into the price of anything you purchase-it always will be.

Does anyone really think if they changed that policy prices would really go down on merchandise?

And I am not saying returning for the sake of returning its right but it's a cost factored in -

and no if you purchase something you don't like and they have return policy you shouldn't just eat the cost if you don't like it-that's ridiculous-

sizing and measurements aren't always accurate even within brands-and as far as beauty items why should you have to keep it if they urge you to buy and if you don't like send back? That's how half the online retailers sell their products and they know they are taking a chance-

Re: online retailers cracking down on returns

Melania — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 21:02:31 GMT

I saw a poster say she knows how to work the system.

Re: online retailers cracking down on returns

JobGirl — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 21:11:30 GMT

On 2/14/2014 Melania2 said:
I saw a poster say she knows how to work the system.

I think most would agree that is just wrong-

Re: online retailers cracking down on returns

chrystaltree — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 21:24:09 GMT

It's wrong and those of us who shop responsibly and don't abuse return policies are the ones who pay the price. Because the cost of lost merchandise is factored into charges.