topic Re: I now think twice before returning anything... in Fashion

I now think twice before returning anything...

Cookie06 — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 15:16:10 GMT

I have always returned items of clothing especially that I don't like, don't fit just right or whatever the reason. However, I received a set of tank tops from HSN, the Anthony collection. They are a smidge too big, but after checking the price to ship to me and then back to HSN for a total of over $13.00. The price of the tanks was only $22 for each, but I bought two as a set. So the shipping, is over half the cost of one tank. At that price, I will keep them. I can always give one of them as a gift or whatever. I am being so much more careful about shipping things back.

Re: I now think twice before returning anything...

June222 — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 15:22:50 GMT

I Just donate to Good Will....write off cost of items as tax deduction.

Re: I now think twice before returning anything...

granddi — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 15:46:22 GMT

I now think twice before ORDERING anything. So many online companies offer free shipping both ways. Yes, I know they build in cost of shipping in the price.

I ordered a Q- Oryany bag that I did return. I think it cost $20+ to take a look at it. $12-13 to ship and then my return. Neiman Marcus has lots of Oryany bags always on sale and free shipping both ways. I like JJill but rarely ever get deals on shipping or pricing. Nordstrom has free shipping both ways. Anyone looking at Vitamix or Kitchen Aid Mixers check out Williams Sonoma for again--free shipping.

Companies consider shipping and handling a revenue source not just the cost of doing business. Some chose to be competitive in s/h charges and some do not.

Re: I now think twice before returning anything...

151949 — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 15:47:32 GMT

All the time people write that they don't return things because they don't want to pay the return S&H - so you lose the cost of the item plus the S&H to you just to save the return shipping? That makes no sense to me. I think people are just too lazy to send the stuff back, in which case they deserve to lose their money.

Re: I now think twice before returning anything...

Perkup — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 15:48:30 GMT

Due to the great variations in sizing and the sometimes lack of quality, I've just about stopped ordering. That way you don't pay shipping costs either way. And when I go to the B&M stsores they let me try things on at no charge! That's a much better deal.

Re: I now think twice before returning anything...

Cookie06 — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 16:02:33 GMT

@151949 wrote:
All the time people write that they don't return things because they don't want to pay the return S&H - so you lose the cost of the item plus the S&H to you just to save the return shipping? That makes no sense to me. I think people are just too lazy to send the stuff back, in which case they deserve to lose their money.

In the past, I have never given a second thought to returning anything that I order. If something did not fit, or I just did not like it, I would return it. I really never paid attention to the charges for shipping back plus initial shipping to me. I would package it nicely, just the way I received it and back it would go.

I am far from LAZY!!!

If you would read my OP carefully and look at the figures, it makes no sense to return these tank tops. Like I said, they are a smidge too big, no big deal, they are very cute and nicely made and I am sure that I will wear them, not only this Summer but under sweaters and jackets this fall and winter. Or I could gift them. I just wasn't real sure about them until I tried them on and like I said, a smidge too big, but not so big I would want to return them.

Re: I now think twice before returning anything...

Ibby114 — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 16:11:30 GMT

Just ship them back making your own label- package them together and it can't be more that a couple dollars for the package. I never keep items that aren't a 'wow!' just because of return shipping costs. I never use the shopping channels' return shipping label- it costs too much plus the delivery is so slow.

Re: I now think twice before returning anything...

Gemspirit — Sun, 12 Jul 2015 02:46:40 GMT

I've can relate. It's hard because seeing the garments on television isn't as good most times as ordering buying clothes from the big department stores or, the quality catalogues plus, most of them don't charge shipping either way or have coupons and codes to reduce the cost.
I have a hard time at Malls, etc because I'm disabled. I can walk but, sometimes I need to rest walking from one big store to another. I used to say, well that would be gas, lunch, etc. but these stores do not penalise you for changing your mind, or returning something. If you walk around a store and decide ~ I really don't need these pants, shoes, whatever and you put them back....do the sales associates/admin. penalize us for that? But despite the pressure to buy because they are selling out, losing sizes, colours, etc., if we cancel or return something, it is a strike against you. Something isn't right with that.
My daughter had me out to a mall recently. I truly don't think I've been in one for about 10 years prior! The clothing is not more expensive and in some stores, with sales was much less. I've compared several garment and Q isn't much of a bargain anymore. Plus you have the conveinance of trying on, if you don't know your size in a certain brand.
Recently, I had accidentally ordered two porcelane cake toppers for my daughter and her fiancé when they were engaged. It had been a year and all I had was the record of the order in my online account history for that store. They took the numbers off my phone, found the sale and gave me a full store credit! I can save it and use for Christmas shopping.
That is something that would never happen on the shopping channels.

Re: I now think twice before returning anything...

Cookie06 — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 18:14:18 GMT

@Gemspirit wrote:
I've can relate. It's hard because seeing the garments somewhat live is better than ordering from the big department stores however, most of them don't charge shipping either way or have coupons and codes to reduce the cost.
I have a hard time at Malls, etc because I'm disabled. I can walk but, sometimes I need to rest walking from one big store to another. I used to say, well that would be gas, lunch, etc. but these stores do not penalise you for changing your mind, or returning something. If you walk around a store and decide ~ I really don't need these pants, shoes, whatever and you put them back....do the sales associates/admin. penalize us for that? But despite the pressure to buy because they are selling out, losing sizes, colors, etc., if we cancel or return something, it is a strike against you. Something isn't right with that.
My daughter had me out to a mall recently. I truly don't think I've been in one for about 10 years prior! The clothing is not more expensive and in some stores, with sales was much less. Plus you have the conveinance of trying on, if you don't know your size in a certain brand.
Recently, I had accidentally ordered two porcelane cake toppers for my daughter and her fiancé when they were engaged. It had been a year and all I had was the record of the order in my account history for that store. They took the numbers off my phone, found the sale and gave me a full store credit! I can save it and use for Christmas shopping. That would never happen on the shopping channels.

OMG I am in the same boat. I can't walk around the mall very long either. My daughter and I love to shop together and she is really good about holding my heavy purse and walking more slowly for me.

Anyway, you are so right, I have recently been out to the B&M stores and have found some fabulous bargains. Especially the Fourth of July weekend at Kohl's!!! Got items marked down from $68.00 to $25.00 for a darling maxi dress, nice material and I have received many compliments on it. What a great sale!!! And Kohl's always is having sales. The only thing you need to beware of is the Kohl's cash. If you do need to make a return, they take away all the Kohl's cash. I went to take back a dress that I had purchased and some of it was paid for with Kohl's cash, so I have to exchange it for the same brand, Elle, and the same regular price that is on the price tag??? Makes no sense to me, but I will take it as soon as I find another dress at Kohl's Elle brand.

Re: I now think twice before returning anything...

Reba055 — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 18:49:18 GMT

It pays to have a HSN card. Most everything qualifies for spendable kash for your return shipping. I've been buying so much more from HSN since they started this. Otherwise clothes are just to costly unless you are already sure it will fit.

Re: I now think twice before returning anything...

Judalee0810 — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 19:29:08 GMT

HSN --- thumbs down on honesty !! AND If you return what them deem "too many items" you find out when you call to place an order that you have been cut -off ! Happened to me despite unused items returned because they didnt tell some important information a customer needs to know! MOST often, misrepresented items. DONT MISS HSN AT ALL ! Esp now that Paypal does flexpay!!

Re: I now think twice before returning anything...

Reba055 — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 20:10:50 GMT

Wow I love HSN when it comes to returns. If you need a different size they will send them right out (no charge) and you get credit for return shipping. I recently bought pants from QVC that I wanted to exchange. Because they had a different item number for the "tall" I had the option to return (and pay shipping) the reg length, order "tall" (and pay shipping again) and if those didn't work, pay return shipping on those. No thanks, I'll never buy clothes at QVC again, never. I return plenty at HSN because sometimes I order 2 sizes if I'm not sure, but I also keep plenty. I've never had any issues. They are more than accommodating. Sorry Q 😯

Re: I now think twice before returning anything...

tobes — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 23:13:09 GMT

Here is what happened to me. I ordered four items. Because of sizing issues lately with QVC I ordered a large and extra large on each item. On all four- the large was a little small and the extra-large was too big. So I sent them all back. We know that we cannot put all items in the same bag and use the pre-addressed label. It did not occur to me how much I was paying. I calculate I spent $6.95 times four in shipping changes for a total of $27.80. If you add the original $3 shipping to get the items to me that is another $12.00 for a total of $39.80 or almost $40.00 in shipping charges to get them back. Not to mention the slow refunds back to my credit card by QVC. I really am having second thoughts now.

Re: I now think twice before returning anything...

Trix — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 23:45:28 GMT

Returns would be far less if the hosts (on all the TV shopping channels) spent more time talking about sizing and less prancing around with the models or tleling us how to wear the clothes. I know the hosts and vendors may not find it to be sizzling work to talk about sizing and showing garments inside as well as out, but I think it would have a positive imapct on number of returns.

Re: I now think twice before returning anything...

HappyDaze — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 23:53:31 GMT

I hardly ever return anything but I certainly think even longer and harder about buying anything that I may not like because of the cost of the shipping and now the return shipping as well. Sometimes the amount of money you'd lose is almost as much as the cost of items (like you mention) so I just forgo the item altogether if I am at all unsure if I'd like the item or be able to wear it (makeup-wise at least- I don't buy clothes from shopping channels).

Re: I now think twice before returning anything...

GingerPeach — Sun, 12 Jul 2015 00:02:48 GMT

@Trix wrote:
Returns would be far less if the hosts (on all the TV shopping channels) spent more time talking about sizing and less prancing around with the models or tleling us how to wear the clothes. I know the hosts and vendors may not find it to be sizzling work to talk about sizing and showing garments inside as well as out, but I think it would have a positive imapct on number of returns.

I completely agree. That is how we look at a garment in a store, so why don't they show us that on air?

Sometimes they are so clueless about sizing, too. You'd think if the card said 24" was a chest measurement, a host would question that. I have seen them blithely accept it.

I do like that some of them now show the differences between shades of green, tones of blue, and so on. Some of them are improving in that regard.

Re: I now think twice before returning anything...

shoekitty — Sun, 12 Jul 2015 00:23:20 GMT

@HappyDaze wrote:
I hardly ever return anything but I certainly think even longer and harder about buying anything that I may not like because of the cost of the shipping and now the return shipping as well. Sometimes the amount of money you'd lose is almost as much as the cost of items (like you mention) so I just forgo the item altogether if I am at all unsure if I'd like the item or be able to wear it (makeup-wise at least- I don't buy clothes from shopping channels).

@shoekitty says, ITA I am so mad I have to return 2 pair of sandals. I purchased 3 pair of sandal/shoes after agonizing over the style, color, fit and such. I have to send 2 back and I am so disappointed. The color was so off, the material looked nothing like the enlarged photo online. The hosts don't go over small details. Sometimes the reviews don't help because they don't explain why they like or don't like something all the time. So i loose 5 bucks @ to get them to me, and 5@ each to return them!

Re: I now think twice before returning anything...

DiAnne — Sun, 12 Jul 2015 03:17:37 GMT

I think before purchasing items and I buy much less. Between the return shipping and doing away with reduced shipping for multiple items it adds up. I am perfectly capable of getting in the car and driving to the mall but I just hate to shop.

Re: I now think twice before returning anything...

Gemspirit — Sun, 12 Jul 2015 03:31:01 GMT

~Just be careful with the bank that controls their card. My cousin had calculated a return, that the network told her was fully refunded. Anyway, something went wrong. I think, if I'm remembering correctly that she told me she went online to pay and at that time they hadn't set up online payments. They wouldn't do anything for her. At the time she had been a customer there for decades. They charged her a late fee because even though she mailed it right away....the check wasn't processed for days later!
I don't have any of the network cards. The discounts they give is to hook you in (by "you", I mean us, no single person) mean while the interest fees are up at appx., 20-25%. Just be careful ladies. It took my cousin months to clear the mess up. And she never used her @sn card again!
Personally I use either a debit card or my Amex as you have to pay off most items within that same billing period.

Re: I now think twice before returning anything...

GinaV24 — Sun, 12 Jul 2015 03:22:08 GMT

and I look at it from a different point of view. I now think twice and 3 times before I BUY anythng. I'm not willling to pay a $10 "try on" fee for clothing in particular.