Franklin

When I lived in the UK there was this great stigma that I felt when I had to take something back. So of course I would procrastinate and finally not bother. Anyone else felt like this?

But here in the USofA returns are "the thing". There are return areas in large shops. It's the "done thing". No stigma.

This might change. A reporting agency has just started up and apparently it is possible to get "black-listed". Return too much in the way of "dollar amount" and you can (on information and belief) be labeled a "serial returnee/returner".

NC Penguin

Nope. Returning purchases has never been a problem, especially when I have the receipt.

Funnily enough, I returned a duvet cover to a department store this evening. I never offered an explanation for returning the item and I wasn't asked either. Apart from waiting 10 mins to get service, it was a smooth transaction.

Not heard about this. Has this anything to do with the credit bureaux? i.e. reporting to them?

Personally, I'm not too concerned.

warksgirl

I've been called worse!

But what really would the implications be? You mentioned a reporting agency being set up, so I assume that this is something altogether new, and not part of credit scoring?

So if one was a "serial returner" and blacklisted, what would happen? Said returner would not be allowed to return things any longer at stores that used the reporting agency?

I somehow think that the concept wouldn't take. It goes against the American psyche to NOT be allowed to return and if a store became labled as one that didn't take returns, I don't think it would be good for its reputation. Not good marketing...

That's my initial thought on it anyway.

scrubbedexpat099

The report I read in Sunday's paper concerned a Ladies fashion chain, they have your stats I guess through CC or Store Card.

Goes through the PoS system, you get the No from the Shop store staff and then a phone number if you want to discuss it.

Never quite understood the buy and return volume some shops have, presumed it was a Female thing.

MightBe

Best Buy is the company starting this
http://www.boingboing.net/2004/11/09...ies_to_se.html

joto

I have heard of some people maybe buying a nice dress for a night out and then returning it to the store a few days later. That's maybe the sort of people that they are going to stop returning things. Or it could be that someone buys something to match something that they have at home and just can't make up their mind what they really want.

Patrick

I beleive this has evolved from the "renting" culture that has started over the last 10 years or so. People buy something fully intending to wear it just once and returning it.

I on the other hand like walking into stores buying the stuff and then returning when I am informed at home that it is not right. I still dont know why she lets me go shopping by myself anyway.

Patrick

Englishmum

You've just reminded me of a report on one of the local news channels of some shops in NYC which actually allow people to return knickers.....then put them back on the sales floor...the reporter used a marker pen to put a small mark on some of the labels.

At Bloomingdales and a couple of other famous New York stores the TV cameras showed that the same items which had been returned had had new price labels attached and put back on the rack....

I'm so glad that I still buy my knickers in the sealed packets from M&S!!!!

warksgirl

That's awful!

Patrick

You can also buy used knickers online, maybe thats more information than you need

NC Penguin

And you can buy these used knickers from vending machines in Japan too! I won't go into the other oddities you can buy from vending machines in Japan. That's another thread...




NC Penguin

warksgirl

Bloody hell. That's disgusting.

Pimpbot

I honestly believe that my step daughter returns more stuff than I or my wife actually buy. No one in the stores seem to bat an eyelid over it though. She even took back some christmas cards for me last year when I found some cooler ones at another store. I've never been a returner, unless sonething doesn't work.

Ash UK/US

ROTFLMAO... I work as a instore customer service rep for a large chain of department stores here in the US... you would not believe some of the things people try to reurn and some of the scams they pull to do it.

Ash

Jan Alaska

I know that Wal-Mart are great for returns even without a receipt ... however if you dont have your receipt they take your name and address .. I was told this to stop folks returning stolen goods
Anyways if it doesnt work .. too small / big I take it back ... no sense in paying for something youre not going to use

Jan