Do You Feel Guilty When You Return Stuff?

This is probably my own weird neurosis, but I often feel guilty when I return things to same stores a lot.

I am rarely confident enough to make a decision in the store, so I end up buying things to bring home to try with different shoes, tops, etc. (Or to photograph for all of you!) Lately I've been experimenting a lot, which means there's a lot of stuff that goes back to the store. I sometimes feel like I should make up some elaborate excuse as to why I'm returning things. ("I just learned my husband was just transferred to Antarctica and now I don't need short sleeve shirts!")

The truth is that the clerks very rarely care or even make a comment, but since I shop at the same stores all the time and the clerks often remember me, I always worry that they're whispering "Oh no! Here's come that Returner again!"

I know I shouldn't care. I usually return things the very next day, so they're in pristine condition, tags on, receipts in hand. But I still feel guilty! I'd love to get to the point where I know what looks good on me and can make a quick decision. Hopefully soon!

17 years ago

Nicole

Veteran

I don't feel guilty when I return things. I used to be one of those people who would not return things no matter how bad they looked. So I ended up with a closet full of ill fitting clothes or never worn items. I felt much more guilty about buying something I never wore than I do about returning something.

Most of my friends return close to half of what they buy for themselves--so I don't think you're any more a "returner" than most people. Plus, I am always buying stuff for my kids and returning it because "that's so last Tuesday, Mommmmmmmmmmmm... Sheesh!"

Maya

I feel far more guilty keeping things that aren't perfect and then not wearing them.

Kristen

(website)

I worked in retail a couple of years ago, and that experience cured me of any and all guilt about returning anything. There were days when returns would equal more than half our profits! (Meaning, we took in $1000 in sales and had $500 in returns.) So believe me, it's not just you returning purchases. You may not even be a drop in the bucket.

Now that I do most of my shopping online, I feel even less guilty about returning; I probably return about 70% of what I buy. Because I'm compulsive, I always make sure I have all the receipts handy and everything in its original bag. The clerks are usually delighted that I'm so organized; apparently, not everyone is as considerate.

Bottom line: don't feel bad about returning something. It's expected in retail.

judy

I know what you mean, Tarzy. That's why I shop mostly online :). These days, the lax return policy seems kind of built in to the system...I even hear sales people say all the time, well, you can always return it, or take them home and then see how you feel. So maybe they don't care. It used to be when retail was commission that sales were more high pressure and they didn't want you to return, but I'm glad those days are gone. Whether I purchase online or in person at a store, I'm really grateful that I can sort it out at home and then get a refund if it doesn't work. Still, they might enjoy your stories :)!

marianne

Active Member

I always felt bad about it, partially because I am neurotic, and partially because I grew up without any return policy - you couldn't return anything and often couldn't even try it on at the store. That's why I rarely buy anything that I have doubts about, and since I am very undecisive, it results in very few purchases. But sometimes I would also buy because I felt like I invested too much time in shopping and I had to come home with something, and that would also contribute to a situation similar to Nicole's. I got a little better lately, and would occasionally get several items and then make a decision at home which ones to keep. I'm actually glad to hear that retail people don't care.

yublocka

Heh tarzy, picturing you standing at a counter making elaborate excuses made me laugh!

I don't feel bad returning stuff, but I think its a pain in the bum so I try to avoid buying things I'm not sure about. Of course the student budget helps out with that too! My Mum is the queen of returning stuff though - she had no qualms about it!!

Tanya

I am with Marianne here - I also grew up in a place where you couldn't return anything. It took me a while here to get used to that possibility. I still feel bad when I do it. I am more likely to return online purchases than real store ones.

Sarah

I don't feel guilty returning things. My mom rarely returned things when I was growing up. I spoke with her on the phone yesterday and she was in a store asking me what I thought about a certain article of clothing. I told her to go home and try it on and return it if it didn't work. She didn't buy it.
I had a friend growing up who (and her family) returned EVERYTHING for the silliest reasons (not just clothing, but everything). I try to only buy things that I'm fairly sure will work. If only because I find returning things a hassle. If they dont' work though, I will return.

Antje

Just like Marianne and Tanya, I grew up in a place where it was extremely hard to return things (basically you had to show that it was damaged or something). The return policies still aren't as liberal in Germany as they are here, though they've changed/eased dramatically.
I return a lot of stuff, because I like to try new purchases with existing pieces from my closet before making final decisions. And even though I know in my head that it's expected, that everyone does it, etc. etc. I still feel really awkward about it and have this vague feeling of "guilt" and "wrongdoing", and positively dread the friendly question "Was there anything wrong with the item?" So you're not alone, Tarzy!

Lena

I return probably 3/4 of what I buy online and in stores. I really appreciate generous return and exchange policies in the US, I know it's not the case in other countries. I do feel guilty about it, but I feel even worse about keeping things which don't fit or don't go with what I already have.

I try to stay organized with tags and receipts and original packaging.

I do wonder about quality control. I'm always surprised how most salespeople don't check the garment when I return it. What if I ripped a hole in something, or stained it? (I've never done this)

Debbie

If I have the receipt and tags still on I have no guilt returning.

cinncali

I've gotten better about impulse buying so I don't return too much to the stores anymore, and when I do, I generally don't feel guilty. But for some odd reason, I feel guilty about returning shoes to Zappos, although they haven't been worn outside. I feel like I'm taking advantage of their free shipping or something! I know it doesn't make any sense ...

Anonymous

At Nordstrom's the sale clerks encourage me to take things home and return what I decide I don't want. I never feel guilty for returning things, and it is a part of shopping.

taylor

I work in retail and returning is no problem usually for us sales associates, however there seems to be more and more people who wear there items, have no tags , no reciept and seem to have this sence of entitlement as they throw these used and worn items in your face and demand a return/exchange months later that no resonable person would give. These things happen ALOT !! people abuse evrything.

16 years ago

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