Ugh; Off to do Returns - YouLookFab Forum

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Ugh; Off to do Returns

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I have a pile of returns (policy is return within 1 year, so I've been letting them build up) for Anthropologie. The store is across the city for me, so I rarely venture out there.

I am trying to be a very conscious consumer and go on a Monday early afternoon when the store is most likely dead - but I just feel so much guilt and shame to bring back so much stuff (how do they do this to us?!)

Ugh; wish me luck. I hate this part of shopping.

Shopping

22 replies

Latest reply was from

Thistle

Veteran

Good luck!!

And for what it's worth, yeah, tis no fun, but it is a very important part of shopping. and imagine what you will be able to do witht he return credit!

Emily

Veteran

Good luck, lyn*! I have a stack to tackle today, too. Luckily they are mostly to be popped in the mail...

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

I have a big bag o' stuff to return to Nordstrom and am debating whether to spend the time to hunt down all the receipts or let them look it up; I hate making the SA's do all that work but I just can't keep everything! Good luck! It's like going in for a dental cleaning--hard to get excited about but once you stop procrastinating and get it done, nothing like that clean feeling! LOL!

Kristin SF

Veteran

Very true, GP! I really hate to do returns, and I've missed a few return windows due to procrastination. In fact, I'm thinking of at least one I've probably already missed, ugh.

So good on you, Lyn, for tackling this project today!

BTW, in-store returns to Anthro are dangerous. I almost always give them their credit right back!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I feel like I live at the post office sometimes. It does get me a 1.5+ mile round trip walk or run, but I'm not always in the mood. Hope it's relatively painless and easy.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

As per Thistle's advice, I just added up how much I will get back - now much more excited - it's almost $600!! Oh man, that's going to supplement my savings this month in a bit way.

Can't wait to go now!

unfrumped

Veteran

Only advice is:

Just do it.

Susie

Veteran

I just came from dropping off 3 boxes at the post office, 2 to Nordstrom and 1 to tsubo. I am grateful for free shipping and returns.

I almost always do returns within a week or two, unless I have to return gifts bought at Christmas time. I feel guilty keeping things longer because I think it's only fair that the retailer should have the opportunity to re-sell it, and another shopper might be hoping for that piece to be back in stock.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

@ Susie - Oi, I do feel a bit bad about the timing thing; most of these were bought in November, but I have two that date back to August. I suppose it's still well within the "one year or else just store credit" rule that they have, but you're right, I should be on the ball more these days.

I guess the flip side is I can't just drop them off at the post office, because there isn't free returns (shipping for returns can run $20-50). Everything has to be posted to the states, so I have to physically go to the store, which is about a 45 minute drive away - an adventure!

Susie

Veteran

lyn* please don't take my thoughts as a criticism of you! We all have a lot to juggle in our daily lives and if I couldn't easily do returns I'm sure that they would take me longer too.

carambola

Veteran

I can relate - I am such a procrastinator when it comes to returns. Even when the store offers free shipping, it's really hard for me to get to the post office while it's open. I force myself when my husband starts complaining about the boxes piling up

E

Veteran

I always feel empowered when I return things, as if I'm triumphing over our hyperconsumer culture and showing I won't settle for anything less than perfect.

Don't feel bad! If they have that within a year policy, it's because it benefits them. They're not a charity after all. So go you!

Done with my pep talk now.

jennifer

Veteran

I work in a retail store and even I lollygag on getting my returns brought in .
Procrastinator's club anyone?

Kristin L

Veteran

Good luck!

Anonymous

the first week of January I spent 4 or 5 hours returning things argh. but once done was a huge weight off. I think it totalled $500 (and some was xmas gifts)

think of the new shopping you can do with the funds

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

PHEW. DONE. I re-read the return policy. It's not one year, it's for forever! I felt less bad. While I was there for 2 hrs (lots of stuff), there were 8 other people doing returns. I felt I was in such good company!

Thanks so much for your support ladies, and Susie, I didn't mean my comment to think that you were being critical of me. You're much too sweet. *hugs*

DonnaF

Veteran

When I have something I'm waffling over, I always hang/skewer on the receipt on a hanger with the item itself. It beats searching high and low for it later. I'm still undecided about a Nordstrom leather skirt I bought, but I don't think I'll make my final decision until some blouses on my Wish List are marked down and I see how they go together. . .The skirt was marked down 60% so close to the price of better pleather, so I think they'll be able to sell it even if I do return.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I digitally store my receipts in different folders; I just have to print them to take them to return. The skewer method sounds fun though!

Linda

I'm pretty new to the whole return-of-online-ordered merch scene. I bought a pair of running tights back around Thanksgiving. I found out right away that they didn't fit. I waited until after the holidays to try (the first time) to exchange 'em for a smaller size. I've already posted about that - the EXPRESS stores only stock the performance items in a few places, I guess. Well, this a.m. I steeled myself to go and just get my store to ship the pants back for exchange. So what do I see on the door? "Inventory, opening late on Monday." And I, silly that I am, went to "browse" at a couple of other stores until the sign said they'd open. Went back and they still hadn't finished inventory. But *I* had bought a pair of emerald green cord skinnies, a pale blue cropped sweater, and several pair of tights. Not only that, I am now hopelessly pining over the BCBGeneration Cayden pair I tried on. Oh, woe. I hope my latest Nordie's order arrives soon! (At least the last part of the Christmas present I had trouble with for my dear daughter-in-law DID arrive.)

I am normally a very deliberate shopper. I know what I want, and I know if I will like and wear something -- I just have shopped a lot for years with my late Mom and I guess we got pretty skilled ;-). I tried on a bunch of things today and came away without 'em because I had no "gotta have it" sense. Maybe it's more cost-effective in the long term, to just pay the shipping to exchange those pants! If I hadn't SEEN those shoes I wouldn't know what I'm missing!

Good work with the Anthropoligie returns lyn*!

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

@ Linda - it's always to have a lust-worthy object that helps you save up all your pennies - For me right now, it's a heavy duty winter coat! I tried to go try them on today, but they have been sold out of my size for "months" the sales clerk was rather dramatic about it, as well. Ugh.

Suja

Veteran

I feel your your pain- I hate returns too! One of my style goals for this year is to return less by shopping retail more vs online.

Glad it was relatively painless.

Anonymous

Glad to see mission accomplished! I am the opposite. I don't like returns hanging around the house mocking me. And I just want my money back!