Confused - Can you just return things for a refund in the US? - YouLookFab Forum

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Confused - Can you just return things for a refund in the US?

Anonymous

I'm a bit puzzled by all this talk of returning things. In the US can you buy something, change your mind and just get a refund? I get the impression you guys do a lot of buying, getting opinions and then making up your mind whether to keep or return.

In New Zealand, shops will replace faulty goods, swap them or give you a credit note to spend in their shop, but that's it. Sometimes if you buy a sale item you can't even exchange it. There are hardly any shops you can say 'it didn't fit' and get your money back. If you buy something here you had better be sure it is perfect unless there was something else in the shop you liked.

Sometimes I find it really hard to decide whether an item is just right or not while I'm in the shop. That's fine if I can think about it and go back another day, but not so good if it's the last one in my size or there's an amazing discount on that day only. I take my trusty iphone, which does help, but there has been many a purchase where I close my eyes as I hand over the money, love what I've bought, then have buyers remorse, then decide my instincts were right after all.

Is the grass really greener over there?

Shopping

25 replies

Latest reply was from lyn*

Rachel

Hey Nicola another one from New Zealand. I wish we could return like they do. It sucks when you get something then realise it doesn't work with your wardrobe.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I'm a Canadian; I just tell them it's too big/too small/doesnt' work with my wardrobe and they take it back, no questions asked

Some of the "fast fashion" places will only give you store credit.

Anonymous

So it's true. They can just take things back. So not fair!

I got a pair of over the knee black riding type boots last week - good sale price, last ones in my size and halfway through buying them I almost felt sick. But I do like them and at size 5 it's hard to find my size, especially on sale. I would have felt so much better if I had the option of taking them back the next day if I got home and thought NO!

mamaKate

Veteran

Nicola,
Short answer - yes. Qualified answer is that some of the smaller stores will only issue store credit or exchanges. But in general retail is a very customer-centric business over here. I lived in Wellington in 2006 but at that time (luckily?) I didn't have any closet space so I can count on one hand the number of items that only bought over there!

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Sometimes, sales/clearance items are final sale, and they will say so; the places I prefer to shop in generally have a pretty relaxed return policy. The outlets generally are final sale!

Steph

Veteran

Yes, in the US it is customary to be able to return your items. All the major department stores take returns as do the typical chain stores you would find in the mall. Return policies vary among stores in terms of how long you have to make a return. Most mail order outlets also allow for returns. Smaller boutiques might only allow returns for store credit, and many stores do have final sales when things are on clearance and not returnable.

Returns are just part of our retail landscape so you don't have to give a reason or anything. Just take things back within the prescribed time and it's fine. I can't imagine not being able to return--I think I would feel paralyzed if I couldn't take something home to try out.

Rachel

I know for shoes Hannahs will give you a full refund if you change your mind within 14 days as long as you have your receipt and it's unworn. I only know that because I work there though it's not something they advertise but it is on the bottom of the receipt.

Kari

Veteran

It depends on the retailer's policies (and as Lyn mentioned, occasionally sales have more stringent restrictions), but for the most part, yes. I'm much more inclined to buy something if I know I can try it out at home and take it back if I change my mind. They usually have a time limit, such as 30 days from the date of purchase. Some retailers, like Nordstrom, will even take back a worn item, no questions asked. They are pretty amazing.
Needless to say, I don't think I'd ever place an online order if I didn't think I could return an item for cash that didn't work!

rute

Veteran

Here (portugal) we have a mentality problems. Stores do accept items back as long as you didn't cut the tags (of course), but most people find that wrong and I have seen several critics! I don't pick a lot to decide at home, but I do decide at the store and then try it at home and ask YLF opinion just to be sure it's not an impulsive buy!

Louise

Veteran

Most stores here in the UK allow returns too thank goodness as I am a serial returner especially of things I bought online x

Anonymous

Rachel - I didn't know that about Hannahs. Thanks.

Mail order is returnable here of course.

At least it makes you think before you buy (usually!)

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Nicola, as someone who comes from the country where returns are virtually unheard of, finding myself in the UK with generous return policies I totally understand your point.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Wow. My husband will never be able to live in NZ. He has been a serial returner since I"ve known him. His idea of shopping is to buy a TON, try it all at home, and then return most of it. And start the process over again.

I have to admit it makes online shopping possible. If you can't return, you'd never really feel safe in ordering unless you already know the item and its fit!

Queen Mum

Veteran

Another American serial returner here. I probably return 75% of what I buy. I can't think clearly in the store, so rather than stress myself, I buy what catches my fancy and then give myself time to think at home (and get past the infatuation stage)
Plus... most store here have "skinny mirrors" and trick lighting which makes you think that you are a gorgeous goddess in every single item you put on... so if you ask me, they are just setting themselves up for people to make a lot of returns.

Suz... your hubby and I must be twins separated at birth

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I am American but don't return much. I actually buy a lot on eBay and some of the sellers won't accept returns. I take that into account when looking at the possible savings vs risk of it not working for me. I feel that with online stores, they almost have to allow returns since you cannot try on the merchandise ahead of time. But I hardly ever return in store purchases. I take my time and decide while I'm in store. I find returning a pain in the rear actually.

christy

Veteran

Wow - never would have occurred to me that you COULDN'T take items back. I guess we are lucky! Now, most places won't take items back if you've cut the tags off of clothing or worn a pair of shoes outside. And often sale or clearance items are final sale or store credit only. As Kari mentioned, Nordstrom is really amazing with their return policy. Case in point, I bought a pair of Cole Haan shoes recently that TORE up my feet. I wore them twice and was miserable at the end of each day. But Nordstrom took them back, no questions asked. Of course I walked out of there with two new pairs of shoes, so it worked out in their favor!

Now I have heard that retailers are starting to track serial returners - not sure how they would use the info, but I wonder if they would start to have specific return policies targeted to the individual purchaser.

Anonymous

It is a tricky one, isn't it. Especially when you have a budget and your purchases matter. One of the great things about YLF is that I am beginning to put in a bit more thought and planning about my look and what I want to get next.

And - this is so cool - we are a season behind you here, so by the time the new season hits the shops I have a had a few months of watching Angie and you all try all the new things and know what I'd like. We are just seeing colour blocking coming into the store and I know all about it! Love it.

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

I'm a UK serial returner.

There are a few shops that don't do returns and basically I won't shop there as it is not worth it to me to make a mistake that I regret.

It sounds to me as if there needs to be a push in NZ to get more fair shopping policies there. I am sure it would work out better all round, especially in a recession where people want to spend their money wisely. I recently bought a pair of boots that were a bit tight. The (small, independent) shop stretched them for me and then gave me my money back when they were still too tight.

Jjsloane

Veteran

I always check the return policy before purchasing anything as I love to buy but often find something better, it doesn't work when I get it home or I just have buyer's remorse. I would never return anything worn or used unless it was defective. Nordstrom has the most lenient policy (for worn shoes they will resole and sell at a deep discount at the rack as "reconditioned") As mentioned many stores have tightened up their policies, likely due to the economy and the abuse by some shoppers.

Fruitful

Veteran

Nicola, thanks for this conversation! I'm Australian and every time someone posts a "keep or return?" I feel like I want to tear my hair out. It may not be as bad here as in NZ (Myer, David Jones, Target and a few big places let you return stuff within a window, like 30 days or so) but small shops normally just issue a credit note and you might have to use it within a week.

Then with online shopping we would have to pay to ship back the return so it's kind of not worth it.

Generally the culture seems to be that you should feel embarrassed and have a bloody good excuse if you want to return something, and heaven forbid you return it more than a week later. It's funny as consumer law has policies in favour of the customer, but most shops have signs on the doors refusing to honour those laws.

It makes me scared to shop at little stores. And makes me much more skeptical of seller strategies - salesgirl, stay away from me! No, thanks, I wouldn't like some help! Do NOT tell me I look great in this! LOL. And yes, I've experienced the dreaded skinny mirrors.

On the other hand I do understand small businesses would find it difficult to run if they were processing a lot of refunds.

(These days I do shop online a lot but I consider it a form of gambling lol! When I have a fail (and I do) I chalk it up to the learning experience and get ready to sell/swap/donate it. I read as many reviews as I can, check measurements and real life photos, and I gotta tell ya I've had a higher success rate than relying on the advice of SAs. This is buying shoes and makeup. I bought Nars foundation for a fraction of retail, chose my shade based on a blog, and found it was the best match I'd ever had. The foundation an MA chose for me looked like dirt on my face in comparison.)

Isis

Veteran

Nordstrom (and REI) have fantastic return policies. But they are also a little more expensive......Both want to sell products, and their lenient policies are not about being "nice". Rather, they are more apt to make a sale with this policy, and most people keep their purchases......I usually keep what I buy, but I spend a lot of time thinking about it in the dressing room. I do appreciate knowing that I can return something if I change my mind!

Perhaps this business strategy hasn't caught on in New Zealand, but it seems like if it is working for Nordstrom in the U.S., it could work in New Zealand!

Key to this is charging more in the first place. Nordstrom Rack has only a 30 day policy.

Manda

As another Aussie, I also find myself a little green with envy over all the buying and returning that gets mentioned on the forum.

I'm withyou Fruitful on avoiding the smaller stores. I got burned with skinny mirrors at the start of the year when buying a dress to wear to a wedding. I ended up listing the dress on ebay as there was nothing else in store to exchange with.

I am also finding the need to be more cautious in myer especially with some of the labels having there own mini departments. It is then up to the brand sales assistants to make the call on the return. And I don't think this is clear enough. Especially not in the Myer returns policy.

With our tight returns policies here, I find it makes me a very cautious shopper. And also means frequent returns to stores to try things on many many times. Which makes me feel somewhat neurotic some times.

nancylee

Veteran

We are so lucky that returns are super easy here in the states. It does lead to a lot of indiscriminate buying, though, I think. If the return policies were stricter here in the states I'm sure I would approach shopping very differently.

Julie

Veteran

It was Timothy Eaton who first set the retail market on its ear with his one price, no haggling policy, and everything came with a money back guarantee. His slogan, "Satisfaction Guaranteed, or Money Refunded.

This was in Toronto, Ontario. The year 1865.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

When I was in Hong Kong, I was shocked to find out I couldn't return things with the ease in Canada - "What do you MEAN I cannot have my money back because I do not like it?" :p

I didn't realize that it was different in the rest of the world!