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[Tinkrbl44]

Source:  USA Today - Daily Money 12/12/2022

Just a heads up for holiday shoppers.

Buyers beware – of stricter return policies

Here’s a new wrinkle for your holiday shopping ritual. Six in 10 retailers have changed their return policies by shortening the time window to return an item, charging fees or saddling shoppers with the shipping costs.

Over the past decade, many stores widened return time frames to several months to compete with online rivals like Amazon. During COVID, many retailers gave shoppers extra time to send back items they couldn’t try on in stores.

But many are shrinking those windows, typically to 30 days, to reduce the flood of returns and give stores a better chance to sell them before they’re out of season.

Many stores are providing some reprieve for the holidays. At Old Navy, Gap and Banana Republic, purchases made from Nov. 1 through Christmas can be returned through Jan. 15. Still, policies are generally stricter than in the past.

[gertrudecloset]

I think there is a post in here somewhere talking about this since November.  I may have mentioned it and it was taken down because it turned political.  I read that site often and can't seem to find this story.

This is old news (but not that old)

Retailers roll out stricter return policies ahead of the holidays (cnbc.com)

This one is old though

Matthew Ong

December 22, 2014

Now that the 12 days of Christmas are coming to a close, it's time for the 12 (or so) days of Christmas returns to begin.

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Just in case your gift opening on the morning of Dec. 25 doesn't go quite as you expected, you'll probably want to know what your options are for returns.

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Although many major retailers have extended their return policy window for the holiday season, getting a refund or exchange for an unsatisfactory gift isn't always as easy as you'd think. Here are a few retail return policies you should be aware of this holiday season.

Sears

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Sears has extended its return policy to provide extra time to take back select items purchased between Nov. 9 and Dec. 24. Under this expanded policy, items that typically must be returned within 30 days can be brought back through Jan. 24. Purchases with a usual 60-day return window can be returned through Jan. 24 or 60 days from the purchase date -- whichever is later. Items with a 90-day standard return period are not covered by the extended policy.

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Although Sears gets kudos for giving its customers a longer time frame to return failed gifts, things get complicated when it comes to figuring out exactly what can and cannot be returned. Scooters over $149.99 and specialty occasion clothing, for example, can only be exchanged for an identical item or a "substantially similar item of equal value," the Sears website states.

[LuvSoCal]

I read the article in the paper over the weekend and thought of all the posters here who criticize qvc. It was an interesting read. Who knew there was a term for when people order 2 different sizes with the intention of returning one or the other (bracketing). Apparently, other retailers such as Anthropologie and J.Crew are cracking down and charging for the return labels. It was, also, mentioned that oftentimes these companies don't even want the merchandise back because of a backlog in the warehouses and will just issue a refund.

[Tinkrbl44]

@LuvSoCal 

"Bracketing"  was a new one for me, too.  Well, even with accurate measurements, sometimes things just don't fit right.  

[faeriemoon]

I have no issues with stricter return policies.  It's better for after Christmas shopping when you take a big chance ordering online with the potential of receiving someone's used return.

[gidgetgh]

I have no problem with stricter policies also.  I've said before that I think QVC's policy, especially their holiday return policy, is way too lenient. 

I have a local shop near me that I like.  They sell "gifty"" type items, some furniture, some clothing, many different things.  Love their store and it is very popular here. Their return policy is 7 days.  Their policy on seasonal items?  No returns unless defective and then it's 7 days.  So when you buy that cute Christmas battery operated swirly light thing, you'd better take it home, put some batteries in and make sure it works right then.

[Bri369]

I'm fine with stricker return policies.  

I am not a big returner.  When I do order something and I know I don't like it or it's what I expected, I know right away.  I don't need to think about it for 30 days or 60 days.  

The gifts I give always include a gift receipt and are always given well within the time frame to return or exchange.  

I think some people buy and return as a hobby.  I don't have time for that.  

[gidgetgh]

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@Bri369 wrote:

I'm fine with stricker return policies.  

I am not a big returner.  When I do order something and I know I don't like it or it's what I expected, I know right away.  I don't need to think about it for 30 days or 60 days.  

The gifts I give always include a gift receipt and are always given well within the time frame to return or exchange.  

I think some people buy and return as a hobby.  I don't have time for that.  

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@Bri369 - they buy on a whim. Buy on speculation.

[chrystaltree]

Sounds good to me. We all pay for people who abuse return policies.  

[chrystaltree]

@LuvSoCal wrote:

I read the article in the paper over the weekend and thought of all the posters here who criticize qvc. It was an interesting read. Who knew there was a term for when people order 2 different sizes with the intention of returning one or the other (bracketing). Apparently, other retailers such as Anthropologie and J.Crew are cracking down and charging for the return labels. It was, also, mentioned that oftentimes these companies don't even want the merchandise back because of a backlog in the warehouses and will just issue a refund.

Bracketing?  I didn't know there was a word for it but I know many women who do that.  They buy 2 or 3 of something.  Try them on, keep what they want and return the others.