Community Chat

[Perkup]

Is what she's doing any different than if I bought something on sale, waited till the sale was over, and returned the item for a full price?  Cheating and/or lying is wrong, no matter who does it or why.  If I don't think my employer is

paying me enough, is it okay to take products from them without paying?  Isn't that stealing?

For me and for my moral standards, what she is dong is entirely dishonest. If she isn't making enough she needs another job where she makes more.  I can't imagine any employer approving of what she's doing.

[HonnyBrown]

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@chickenbutt wrote:

Ok, well, I guess maybe I'm being a little rigid.  I just know that returns are about as bad as shoplifting, as far as the stores are concerned so it seemed like it was they who were being burned.

If she's not USING the products and is returning them in brand new (unopened if possible) condition, AND if it's not against the rules, I guess it's not that wrong.  

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I don't think you are being rigid.  Not at all.

I asked because we were having brunch with some other shoppers.  She said that she had some returns to make after.  That got the conversation started and everyone had good points. 

[HonnyBrown]

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@Perkup wrote:

Is what she's doing any different than if I bought something on sale, waited till the sale was over, and returned the item for a full price?  Cheating and/or lying is wrong, no matter who does it or why.  If I don't think my employer is

paying me enough, is it okay to take products from them without paying?  Isn't that stealing?

For me and for my moral standards, what she is dong is entirely dishonest. If she isn't making enough she needs another job where she makes more.  I can't imagine any employer approving of what she's doing.

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Great points Perk!!!

But remember: she isn't making the returns because the shop fees are too low.  They aren't.  She's making returns because she doesn't want to spend money on a purchase she doesn't need.

For some of the shops, you have to make a purchase to prove that you were at that location.  You get reimbursed a certain dollar amount.  That works if the amount you are reimbursed covers a purchase.  If it doesn't, that means you are spending your money for an item.

[chickenbutt]

I think that's why, at least in the past, people would sign up to be a mystery shopper at stores where they would be shopping anyway.

That way, they would purchase things that they would have purchased anyway and the bonus was that they, along with fees, would get some of the money back for the purchase so it was a win-win.

That's the way I always saw it, anyway.

For example, fast food places also used to (and maybe they still do) have mystery shoppers.  You go in or through the line and purchase lunch or whatever and then write up and submit your report and receipt.  

I think that's why this returning of merchandise thing got in my craw a bit.  

[missy1]

I see ads on Craigslist seeking secret shoppers? So they are legit and pay quick?

[magicmoodz]

I used to be a mystery shopper many years ago.  I highly doubt the retailer cares if a $2 item is returned.  The shopper is merely making the purchase so s/he can evaluate that part of the experience, thereby letting the retailer know what is good and what is not so good.  

I mostly did restaurants and it isn't as easy as it seems.  I know I can take my work too seriously, but there was a lot of written reporting involved.  I was glad when I no longer needed that income.  

[HonnyBrown]

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@chickenbutt wrote:

I think that's why, at least in the past, people would sign up to be a mystery shopper at stores where they would be shopping anyway.

That way, they would purchase things that they would have purchased anyway and the bonus was that they, along with fees, would get some of the money back for the purchase so it was a win-win.

That's the way I always saw it, anyway.

For example, fast food places also used to (and maybe they still do) have mystery shoppers.  You go in or through the line and purchase lunch or whatever and then write up and submit your report and receipt.  

I think that's why this returning of merchandise thing got in my craw a bit.  

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That's the benefit to a mystery shopper like me.  I am selective about my shops because it's not an income source for me.  I shop at places where I normally do business, and it costs me less because I get a reimbursement or a flat fee.

For my friend and many other shoppers, it's their 9-5. 

[HonnyBrown]

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@magicmoodz wrote:

I used to be a mystery shopper many years ago.  I highly doubt the retailer cares if a $2 item is returned.  The shopper is merely making the purchase so s/he can evaluate that part of the experience, thereby letting the retailer know what is good and what is not so good.  

I mostly did restaurants and it isn't as easy as it seems.  I know I can take my work too seriously, but there was a lot of written reporting involved.  I was glad when I no longer needed that income.  

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moodz, yes, it's not simple by any means.  That free meal is not free!

Let me clarify: the reimbursement is $2, but the item she buys is, say $30 because that is the least expensive item in the store.

[HonnyBrown]

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@missy1 wrote:

I see ads on Craigslist seeking secret shoppers? So they are legit and pay quick?

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On Craig's List?  I doubt it!

[magicmoodz]

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@HonnyBrown wrote:

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@magicmoodz wrote:

I used to be a mystery shopper many years ago.  I highly doubt the retailer cares if a $2 item is returned.  The shopper is merely making the purchase so s/he can evaluate that part of the experience, thereby letting the retailer know what is good and what is not so good.  

I mostly did restaurants and it isn't as easy as it seems.  I know I can take my work too seriously, but there was a lot of written reporting involved.  I was glad when I no longer needed that income.  

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moodz, yes, it's not simple by any means.  That free meal is not free!

Let me clarify: the reimbursement is $2, but the item she buys is, say $30 because that is the least expensive item in the store.

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@HonnyBrown wrote:

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@magicmoodz wrote:

I used to be a mystery shopper many years ago.  I highly doubt the retailer cares if a $2 item is returned.  The shopper is merely making the purchase so s/he can evaluate that part of the experience, thereby letting the retailer know what is good and what is not so good.  

I mostly did restaurants and it isn't as easy as it seems.  I know I can take my work too seriously, but there was a lot of written reporting involved.  I was glad when I no longer needed that income.  

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moodz, yes, it's not simple by any means.  That free meal is not free!

Let me clarify: the reimbursement is $2, but the item she buys is, say $30 because that is the least expensive item in the store.

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Thanks for clarifying @HonnyBrown.  I would definitely not keep a $30 item unless I wanted/needed it!