about returns

always trying

What do retailers do with returns? I know some put things returned on the mark downs. Do on line stores do the same thing? Do you think a lot of the sale merchandise are things that have been returned?

After reading the post about returning the stretched shoes that did not stretch enough, I am not even considering getting shoes that are marked down, ever again. maybe this is why some shoes fall off my feet by the second or third wearing..Maybe someone already did some previous stretching so that my wearing them a couple of times stretched them beyond my limit.

10 years ago

General

12 replies

Latest reply was from Greyscale

kkards

Veteran

always trying---it depends on the retailer and it depends on the return. most returns, providing they appear to be unworn, in B&M stores are returned to the sales floor at what ever the current selling retail is.
most, but certainly not all, clearance merchandise is on clearance because the retailer wants to transition out of that style.
generally, if a retailer believes that something has been worn, they will damage that merchandise out and not try to resell it.

10 years ago

retailgirl

Veteran

kkards is correct. If something is worn/altered/damaged, it gets written out of stock. (and the retailer has to take the hit.) Saleable merch goes back on the floor, at the current price.

10 years ago

Anonymous

You should not return a shoe unless it is still immaculate in my opinion. Just tried on and took a few steps, like at the store. Purposely stretching it and then returning seems wrong to me.

10 years ago

Anonymous

Retailgirl, what stuff goes to the outlet stores?

10 years ago

Staysfit

Veteran

If something is defective, does the manufacturer refund the Brick and Morter? I was wondering because I have returned clothes with print defects, or seams improperly sewn, and recently a knit where the yarn ran out in an awkward location and the re-attachment of new yarn was too visible.

10 years ago

Anonymous

I always assumed that unworn, unwashed items were returned to the sales floor.

10 years ago

kkards

Veteran

bettycrocker---it's been my experience (I used to work for an outlet brand of a major retailer) most merchandise sold at outlets is manufactured specifically for the outlet. a small percentage, in my experience less than 20%, was from the "mother brand". it was generally the stuff that the "mother brand" need to clear out of there locations so that they could bring in the next season/collection. often it was styles that had been planned to sell considerably more than they did.

10 years ago

Echo

Veteran

Most merchandise that is unworn with tags still attached is returned to the sales floor or to saleable stock. I agree that some people take advantage of return policies, but with shoes being stretched it is not terribly different from people trying on sale shoes. Often, for example, the right shoe is tried on over and over, so it feels larger than the left, yet shoes are not removed from stock after a certain number of times being tried on.

10 years ago

Susie

Veteran

I try to make returns of items I buy early in the season as Isoon as I can. I don't think it's fair to hold on to something too long, even if the policy allows it, as I believe the store should have an opportunity to resell it at the price I paid.

10 years ago

Anonymous

I agree with Susie about making returns as early as possible. I'm a decisive person, though. Either I like something or I don't. Either it fits or it doesn't. Either it's the right color/style or it isn't.

10 years ago

Gaylene

Veteran

Consumers in North America regard returns, especially from online stores, as standard business practice. As long as the item is in its original packaging, or has tags attached, it will usually go straight back out in the next order, unless there are obvious signs of damage. Damaged, or outdated merchandise, is usually sold at a discount

It ticks me off, though, when consumers aren't careful with the merchandise--in stores as well as at home. Throwing stuff in heap on the floor of a dressing room is as bad as doing it in your home, except the stuff in a home can sit there a lot longer--with maybe a cat using it for an occasional nap or two. Wearing a too-small item around the house for several hours " to see if it will stretch out" also bugs me, especially if the still-tagged item ends up being shipped out to me after the item ihas been returned. I once ordered the same sweater in two colors, at full price, from Nordstrom's-- one fit well, while the second had been so horribly stretched over the bust it looked like a rag. As I don't get free shipping in Canada, I had to pay for return shipping to get a duty refund and then ask Nordstom to refund the shipping costs. Not an easy task, and it soured me on Nordstrom's no-questions-asked return policy for quite some time.

I guess I'd like to think that everyone treats a merchandiser's clothing with care and respect while making the decision to buy. It's nice to have liberal return policies so I can try things on in my own home, but I think some people have some misguided ideas about what a trial period is all about.

Whew--that was a rant and a half--but it is one of the reasons why I'm reluctant to shop online with any company that promises no-questions-asked returns.

10 years ago

Greyscale

Veteran

That's a good point about returning things as soon as possible. I'm horribly, horribly indecisive and I sometimes buy things at the Rack then take them home to contemplate for a few days. Sometimes days stretch into weeks, and I should try to make myself decide more quickly! I missed the 1-month return window on a Madewell dress, recently.

I do always treat the items very carefully, though. They're hung on hangers out of cat reach, not scrunched in shopping bags.

10 years ago

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