Do you return things? - Page 3

[Fuamami]

My MIL is a chronic returner. She doesn't shop with friends, but I think she doesn't want the salespeople at the fancy department store to think she can't afford something, so she'll buy it even if she doesn't like it, and then return it in a few days.

I NEVER feel guilty about returning things that break/don't work. Most stores return those items to the manufacturer, and I always hope that improves quality/helps fix the defect.

[2lilsweetfoxes]

Originally Posted by choli

Rarely. I do return defective stuff, but in general I don't buy stuff I don't need. I can't imagine returning a book because I didn't like the ending, that would seem rather ridiculous.

:that

Last time I returned something it was a gallon of milk that I'd just bought. I got it home and it was leaking all over the place and smelled "off". Of course, since the store was 10 minutes away, I put away the rest of my groceries and headed back. They took it back and gave me another milk. Money is tight, so I did not want to just toss a gallon of milk and take the loss.

And as for books: isn't that what the local lending library is for? Although sitting in Barnes and Noble or Borders and reading through a novel is one of my favorite luxuries...I tend to use the library more.

[SaoirseC]

I try to avoid having to return stuff. I've taken back some food items- someone will stay at our house and buy some food but never open it. After they leave, I tend to take it back to the store if it's not something that we'll eat (for example, non-organic popping corn or cereal) or just donate it. I also buy clothes now without trying them on. I hate doing this, but with two kids in tow, and wearing a baby, it's just not worth it to try stuff on in the store.

My MIL bought us some Christmas presents one year, then asked me to take them back after Christmas with her credit card and then re-buy them since they would be on sale! I just couldn't do it. Too weird.

[2cutiekitties]

It never really dawned on me you could return food.

Originally Posted by 2lilsweetfoxes

And as for books: isn't that what the local lending library is for? Although sitting in Barnes and Noble or Borders and reading through a novel is one of my favorite luxuries...I tend to use the library more.

The libraries near me are horrible. I have to buy all our books or dvds now. When I lived in CA the libraries were the bomb, but sadly it isnt like that everywhere.

The last three books I went in for they didnt have, but could add them to the list of books to buy, but that could take a really long time.

I went to the main branch to find a book on making food for a baby/toddler/kids. I was willing to take any sort of book about recipes, any sort of cooking book geared toward little ones. Nope, couldnt find anything, so I asked the librarian. She couldnt find anything on the computer, but walked me over to the section where things should be, but it was so jumbled an disorganized, she actually vented a little about how she could never find anything in that place! (which was my problem). Anyhoo, I had to buy what I wanted.

[amma_mama]

Originally Posted by Baby~Braatens~Mama

Never feel guilty about returning items (unless you have deliberately broken, wore or altered said items). IMO: I paid for them because I wanted them... if I no longer want them, and haven't used them then I return them so someone else who does want them can purchase them. Hope this helps a little.

I do feel guilty about ordering food and then not eating it... But if I could send it back sometimes, or exchange it for something more edible...

I return stuff on occasion, for a variety of reasons (it was not the right type/size/etc.), I changed my mind, defect, etc. I try not to abuse return policies, as it is inconvenient for them (and usually for me) to do a return. We did just buy some curtains for the house which took one hour to pick out (after already visitng a few other stores along the way), then passed by another store that we originally did not think to look in and found something we liked better for the same price. Since it was about $200 worth of curtains that I would have to look at every day for the next 10 years, I did not hestitate to return the first lot. Though I was sort of glad that the sales rep that helped us the first time was in at the time (because she was so nice so I guess I did feel a twinge of guilt/ embarrassment).

I would only return groceries if it was a "defect" (spoiled, opened container). And I have returned inedible food at a restaurant or if it turns out to be something very different than suggested by the description (and therefore not appetizing/edible for me). Unlike other merchandise, I do realize that they cannot sell it to the next customer so I very rarely do this. If I do, I usually just (politely) complain to the server and they more often than not offer to bring something else, which keeps me as a customer (unless all their food just sucks).

I figure that I work hard for my money and cannot waste it on things that are not right. Sometimes it is not possible to know until you get home. We just bought our first house so are stoking up on various tools as we need them and sometimes we pick out the wrong thing for the job. Home Depot is really great about returns!

[2xy]

Originally Posted by Baby~Braatens~Mama

I do feel guilty about ordering food and then not eating it... But if I could send it back sometimes, or exchange it for something more edible...

Why don't you? Any decent restaurant wants you to leave happy.

[Amys1st]

Originally Posted by 2xy

Why don't you? Any decent restaurant wants you to leave happy.

I agree. I have had a few bad meals, instead of not returning, I told the waitstaff it wasnt that good what I was eating.
One time, glad I did this- Turns out it was way too spicy, even for me who loves spicy. The batch that was made up, a few people before me sent it back as well for the same reason. The mgr took it off my bill, brought us something else. This was in a city we were visiting and because of this, when we returned a few years later, we went there again, this time everything was great.

[surrogate]

the library where I live is sad also...they dont even have new best seller books because there are no funds...like 0 funds. They ask for donations just to keep getting newish books. It is very depressing. We don't have book stores here (well, walmart) so i have to suck it up and order from amazon if I want a book

[frugalmama]

Originally Posted by surrogate

the library where I live is sad also...they dont even have new best seller books because there are no funds...like 0 funds. They ask for donations just to keep getting newish books. It is very depressing. We don't have book stores here (well, walmart) so i have to suck it up and order from amazon if I want a book

You might try looking into Bookmooch.com to get the books you want.


Libraries can join as well and register as charities to get donated points which they can then use to acquire books for their library. I just sent off a box of 45 books to a school library in LA who did just this.

[jennlyn]

Yes, I return. I also save all receipts until there is no chance of my returning an item. When it is things like curtains or home decor, sometimes you can't really evaluate whether it works or not until you get it home. Same with clothing- especially if you want to see if it works with other things in your wardrobe. Aldi has a very good return policy, as does Bath and Bodyworks. They want you to be satisfied, even if you have used the product you can return it. I have sensitive skin, so some things do make me break out and I will not hesitate to return things that I can't use.

[kindchen]

Returning Land's End stuff at Sears

Originally Posted by carfreemama

For odenata and others who buy at Land's End, do they ever seem to mind the returns? I've just discovered their online store (overstocks!!) and am still trying to figure out our sizes. I have a very firm policy of NEVER keeping anything that I'm not completely in love with, no matter how cheap it was; unless I can find someone else who will love it. So now I have things like the $5 swim bottoms; fleecies in 2 sizes, neither of which fit; a tote bag that's just plain ugly when it looked nice on the site, etc. We also have a ton of stuff we love and even though some of it is too big, we'll keep; because you know, a $4 wool skort will do just as well next year. But I have a good dozen items to return, I think and they were all clearance. I'd say we're keeping about 80 percent of it and will probably be pretty loyal customers.

I do love to shop, especially online; but I don't want to keep things just to keep them. I hope I'll get better over time at figuring out what will work and what won't, but things don't always look the same online as they do in person. I hope that doesn't make me an abuser. I hope I'm a net gain as a customer.

I return LE merch at Sears pretty often. Like many others, I order from them partly because there is an easy return option. Also, if you sign up for their catalogs you get free shipping coupons in every catalog. I will sometimes order two sizes of the same item intending to return the one that doesn't fit. The returns have always been a non-issue at our local sears.

LE gets our business BECAUSE of this policy, so I have no problem with returning stuff.

[Sol_y_Paz]

Yes, this household has no problem returning things.

[OkiMom]

I do return on occassion. I usually shop with two little ones so trying stuff on just doens't happen most times. So when I get home I try the clothes on, if they don't fit or aren't as modest on as they are on the hanger (Im sure people understand what I mean, you get a shirt that looks good, try it on and wow its peep show city) then I do return them. I figure its easier for both me and the store to NOT have me try on things with my girls with me. Its not exactly practical to try to keep a 20 month old and a 3 1/2 year old happy while mommy tries on clothes.
I also will return something if it totally doesn't match. Im not saying like I get a plate and its a shade darker than Im looking for. Im saying like when I got dishes that said they were red, got them home, started to unpack them and found out they were orange. I didn't feel bad at all about returning them because the box said red, had red dishes shown but what was actually in the box wasn't red.
Anything broken or defective gets returned. If something is suppose to be one size (like advertised at a 32 inch curtain rod) and ends up being another (like it ends up being 28 inches) Ill return it. Im not carrying around a measuring tape to measure the purchase, I assume the writing on the box is accurate.
I don't return things because I get home and change my mind. Mostly because I go back and look at things 10-15 times before buying them and I go through my cart before I check out and think about everything Im getting.. Sometimes if its only a buck or two I won't return them because the store I shop at is like 30 minutes away and Ill waste more on gas then I would get back for the purchase.

[Britishmum]

I almost always have a bag of returns in my car for the next time I go to the store. If one of the kids needs clothes, I will buy several different styles, and try them on at home, taking back what doesn't work.

I never saw it as a problem - I don't even keep my reciepts. If you have your credit card, our stores just refund back to the card, and I have never had any problem doing so.

For me, it is far easier than taking 3 kids shopping, and for the store, it is the only way they'll get my $s for anything at all.

[zebra15]

Originally Posted by 2cutiekitties

It never really dawned on me you could return food.



The libraries near me are horrible. I have to buy all our books or dvds now. When I lived in CA the libraries were the bomb, but sadly it isnt like that everywhere.

The last three books I went in for they didnt have, but could add them to the list of books to buy, but that could take a really long time.

I went to the main branch to find a book on making food for a baby/toddler/kids. I was willing to take any sort of book about recipes, any sort of cooking book geared toward little ones. Nope, couldnt find anything, so I asked the librarian. She couldnt find anything on the computer, but walked me over to the section where things should be, but it was so jumbled an disorganized, she actually vented a little about how she could never find anything in that place! (which was my problem). Anyhoo, I had to buy what I wanted.

The library has something called Inter-library loan which means if its not in the currant library system, not just the branch you are at the library should be able to order it from ANY library in the US and get it for you. You may have to wait a couple weeks but they should be able to order almost anything you want. It really sounds like you need to ask for that service the next time you are in.
I can also order books online via the library and have them ready for pick up at the local branch at MY convenience. I love that.
Our library system is just starting to get e-books, I'm learning how to download books from home for a 3 week period as well... this fascinates me.... really I dont get out much... I need a life

[phathui5]

I don't feel bad returning things if I haven't used them. If I decided it's something we don't need, I'll take it back.

[2cutiekitties]

Originally Posted by zebra15

The library has something called Inter-library loan which means if its not in the currant library system, not just the branch you are at the library should be able to order it from ANY library in the US and get it for you. You may have to wait a couple weeks but they should be able to order almost anything you want. It really sounds like you need to ask for that service the next time you are in.
I can also order books online via the library and have them ready for pick up at the local branch at MY convenience. I love that.
Our library system is just starting to get e-books, I'm learning how to download books from home for a 3 week period as well... this fascinates me.... really I dont get out much... I need a life

ooooh good info!! I will look into this as we are going to really try and crack down on the finances for the rest of the year. Thanks

[lilyka]

I have no problem returning things. I often buy clothes and try them on several times (you know, like, morning and night) and wear them around a bit to see how the really fit (you know how jeans lose their shape after a while...I really hate shopping for jeans....). I also buy a lot of clothes for the kidlettes when they are not with me. I used to work retail and they really do expect a lot of things to come back. Its not more hassle than if you tried them on at the store and left them in the fitting room. as long as the tags are on and they are clean and still that seasons stuff. I try to return stuff within 7 days and always always with the tags. I never return things like undies unless they are defective or were in the wrong package that is there fault and I do not feel bad about that.

I return food all the time. I work at a grocery store so it is not a big deal and I KNOW we train people to sack groceries. If it is a sacking issue I name names too. (if you have to return groceries for this reason turn in a comment card/write a letter letting them know what you returned, why you returned it and what time you were shopping, what check out you were in etc. Bad sackers cashiers are probably the biggest source of returns ever!) but then, I am at the grocery store literally every day so returning something isn't really a big deal. Also if you get bad food at the store please return it. They need to not put bad crap out. I work in the meat department and if someone brings back nasty meat with a valid receipt (proving it wasn't something they bought a month ago) not only will we replace it but they will likely get some free stuff as well. How embarrassing. It is our responsibility to do better. Customers should never ever be unhappy with their food purchases from a quality perspective. I never bother returning non perishable stuff though. I will use it eventually and if I don't the food bank will. But anything directly the stores fault, heck yeah. I KNOW the crap they pull.

I have sent stuff back at a restaurant before. I feel terrible when I do it too. The manager asked me how it was and I tried to fake it and pretend it was good (I just didn't like it, there was nothing wrong with it. I had just never had manicotti with real ricotta before.) but he knew I was lying. Not only did he bring me something else he brought us free desert and did not charge us for any of it.

OH!!!! And this is huge!!! Always try to return it to the store you bought it from.. If at all possible. I work at a grocery store (and the same went for when I worked at starbucks). There are seven in town. Even though we are corporately owned each store operate individually and our profit/losses begin and end at our door. So lets say you go to store number one and buy a $50 ham. Decide you do not want it and return it to store number 2 because it is closer. Store number 1 gets the profit and store number two has to shell out $50 and take a loss. we will do it because we don't want you to hate us. (even worse in the case of meat or a defective product we can't even put it back on our shelves to reclaim the loss and break even, although if you factor in labor you never break even on a return that was not bought at your store.) So please. Take it back to your store even if the official policy is "return it to any store". This hurt the most at small places like Starbucks. People would buy a tumbler at one store, brake it or not like it, return it to our store and a couple of those in one day could eat our profits for the whole day.

[OkiMom]

Restaurants I will return food if it is either 1) not cooked right, 2) not cooked in the way I asked it to be or 3) totally disgusting and not what is described in the menu.. I actually had all 3 happen at one meal once. I had them serve my appetizer and I asked for no sour cream (Im allergic) and they put sour cream on it then scraped it off guessing I wouldn't know they did it. I took two bites and my throat started to swell up, I started to have problems breathing, had to use an inhaler because it started to trigger an asthma attack.. oh and I was pregnant at the time as well. Brought it to their attention and they offered a new one, no way. Onto the dinner, I ordered a steak med well, they gave me one burnt to a crisp and told me that is how I ordered it. Nope it wasn't. On to desert, I ordered a piece of pecan pie (my favorite type of pie and figured after the last two things and not being able to eat anything I deserved a treat) what they brought me was NOT pecan pie, it was horrible looking/smelling/tasting..

Needless to say I didn't pay for that meal and I won't be returning to that restaurant.

Oh and I will also return food if it has anything in it that shouldn't be.. like hair, or a bandaid, or plastic... or... yea Ive had some interesting eating experiences. There are reasons I prefer eating at home.