Slow return/refunds from Gap lately? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Shopping

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Slow return/refunds from Gap lately?

Sheila

Veteran

I have returned two items to the Gap lately, using their prepaid labels. It seems to be taking an unusually long time to receive my refunds. I already contacted Customer Service and they said that it just takes longer some times. But I have returned items many times before to both Gap and Old Navy and it has never taken this long.

Anyone else experiencing this? I believe they are in somewhat of a shaky financial position, so perhaps they are deliberately slowing down their refunds.

What say ye?

Shopping

14 replies

Latest reply was from Joy

Runs With Scissors

Veteran

My guess would be that they are employing fewer people to process them than they used to, rather than a deliberate slow-down. People are an expensive resource!

Sheila

Veteran

Thanks, Runs With Scissors, I had not thought of that possibility but it maks a lot of sense.

Christina F.

Veteran

Gap seems to be in trouble - constant 40%-50% off sales. They're probably cutting corners, as Runs with Scissors suggests.

columbine(erin)

Veteran

I think it took six weeks several months ago for me to get refunds from sending back things to Old Navy and Gap. Our mail is slow here though so that factors into it.

Sheila

Veteran

UPDATE: the first return just got cleared for Refund. ✅

Now...only waiting for the second.

binkle

Veteran

I agree with Christina. I think Gap is about to go bye-bye. Which is rather heartbreaking as I remember how my friends and I LOVED it in the 80's and 90's. In fact, yesterday I realized I was all Gap, all from 2009. Chinos with a black stripe down the sides, striped tee, striped sox. For some reason their sox from the 2000's have lasted amazingly well.

Sophia Alice

(website)

I think it took a month and a half a while prior for me to get discounts from sending back things to Old Navy and Gap. Our mail is moderate here however so that components into it.

Marilyn

Veteran

Banana Republic Canada is currently taking 3 weeks to process returns. They generally process returns very quickly. I will be hauling things back to the store until they get sorted.

Sheila

Veteran

UPDATE #2: Second item has been cleared for Refund. I will now think more than twice about purchasing at the Gap.

Anonymous

I would genuinely be sad if Gap were to go bye-bye.

Sheila

Veteran

Sterling, I agree with you. There are a number of items that they do well: jeans, of course, casual jackets, etc. I have been trying to remember when they veered off course and it seems to me (but what do I know) that it started to go bad when they opened Old Navy, which seems to be going gangbusters. Since they have already closed some Gap locations, maybe they should consider housing the Gap line inside Old Navy stores. I know this might cheapen the Gap brand but I would definitely shop both brands if they were in the same store.

Jules

Veteran

Thanks to this thread I did not freak out when my refunds took at least two weeks longer than usual. I live in the same city as the Canadian warehouse and usually have my refund within a few days, so waiting close to three weeks is a huge difference.
It does seem like a sinking ship/downward spiral scenario. While waiting I wasn't comfortable ordering anything new so obviously that's bad for business.
I do think consumer expectations are very high right now, and the smaller Canadian market may mean businesses just can't endlessly sustain the free shipping, 30 days to decide, free returns, etc we have come to expect. There was an article somewhere recently talking about the fact that many big American retailers are actually relying on their store credit card profits, which isn't sustainable either as customers default etc.

Sheila

Veteran

Jules, I totally agree. I finally got both refunds from Gap, but now I'm skittish about purchasing anything that might possibly have to be returned for fit or quality issues. On the other hand, Old Navy returns are still prompt. Go figure...

Joy

Veteran

I would miss the Gap and Banana Republic. There are some things like jeans and pants that I've come to depend on them for.