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AIBU?

returning items and people exploiting the system

115 replies

wokeupwithasmile · 21/07/2014 18:38

I bought a pair of sandals and a week later a piece of one came off, so I took them back and got a refund. Then a couple of weeks later I went to buy a nice dress to use at a wedding. I was not sure whether it would be appropriate, but I did not want to have to go back to the shop, so I got it and asked the cashier how long I had to return it in case I changed my mind. I also pointed out that it did not have the paper tag one usually sees on clothes, so would I receive a refund anyway or should I look for one with it? I was told that I could return the dress within THREE months (!!!) and that the lack of tag didn't mean anything.
All this got me thinking. I could have used the sandals for a few weeks, pulled a piece out, and asked for a refund. I could also use the dress, get it washed or even not, and return it, given that three months is a hell of a long time to have.

AIBU to think that there must be people changing their wardrobes in this way and that it is strange that shops have not stricter 'laws' on what people can return or how?
Or is it that they make a hell of a lot of money anyway so who cares if this happens?

OP posts:
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MaidOfStars · 21/07/2014 18:42

Sury everyone has, at some point, ripped the strap off a dress they no longer have use for and returned it for a refund?

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MaidOfStars · 21/07/2014 18:42

Surely...

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deckingdisaster · 21/07/2014 18:44

I did this once. I bought a super expensive dress for a wedding, wore it for 1 hour because ds became ill and we had to go home. I knew that i would never wear it again so i returned it and git a refund.

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SecretNutellaFix · 21/07/2014 18:45

If they are unscrupulous greedy twatbags who will be the first to moan when the high street shops vanish totally.

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thenightsky · 21/07/2014 18:46

I've been refused returns of clothes with missing tags.

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Purpleroxy · 21/07/2014 18:47

I know someone who buys outfitsfor occasions, wears them with the tags on and returns them. It's poor behaviour.

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WipsGlitter · 21/07/2014 18:49

No, maidofstars, everyone has not done that.

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StillStayingClassySanDiego · 21/07/2014 18:54

I bought a dress for an interview, wore it the once for 90 minutes max, kept the tag on then returned it the next day.

No big deal and no guilt on my part either.

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LRDtheFeministDragon · 21/07/2014 18:54

To my shame, I have done this.

In my defence, I was about 14, and my mother dragged me into clarks and bought me the ugliest pair of shoes you have ever set eyes on. They were like shoe-boots, with a thick plasticky layer about an inch thick, and little-old-lady laces up to the ankle.

I took a knife to the stitching. I swear, the woman in clarks when I returned them gave me a sympathetic look. Blush

Anyway, to answer ... yes, people do this, and yes, shops know about it, and yes, sometimes they will check very carefully if they think you're pulling a fast one. Places like Reiss will send stuff off to be tested before they give you a refund sometimes, because they can tell if there was a mistake in the process or if you just decided to vandalize it.

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LRDtheFeministDragon · 21/07/2014 18:55

(I admit, while I'm not condoning it, I am amazed this is something you've only just come across. I'm watching ancient episodes of Angel from about 1999 and they're discussing it there).

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OhTheDrama · 21/07/2014 19:09

Years ago my flat mate at uni used to do this. She would buy a dress for a special night out, wear with the tags on, air it on the washing line the next day then take back. She once spilled a drink on one outfit and took it back pretending to be incredulous that said dress had been worn and how on earth did they miss that. She made a real fuss and even got given a gift voucher as an "apology". Really used to wind me up but she was unbelievably selfish anyway so this didn't surprise me.

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Joysmum · 21/07/2014 19:26

I've not done it, it doesn't fit with my morals.

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JewelFairies · 21/07/2014 19:38

I find this disgusting beyond belief that someone would buy something for a night out/wedding/interview and then return it. How can you justify this to yourself? This is why I wash things before wearing them properly and would only return something in its original unworn state if I find it's faulty, doesn't fit, or appears to have been worn by someone else. Angry

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ThatWasNice · 21/07/2014 19:44

I would never do this. It's dishonest and really unfair on the unfortunate person that buys the item after it's been used.

I see it as theft.

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CoffeeTea103 · 21/07/2014 19:45

I haven't done this and think it's disgusting. I certainly wouldn't like to use something that some deceitful person had a good old time in and then return it, so I couldn't do it to someone else.

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Heartsandspades · 21/07/2014 19:45

This is something I have done before,
If I had a special occasion I would buy a dress keep the tags on and return the next day.
Don't feel bad about it if I'm honest I always tell the truth when returning. I tried it and decided I didn't want it in the end

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Beavie · 21/07/2014 19:47

It's manky. I've never done it.

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kim147 · 21/07/2014 19:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

kim147 · 21/07/2014 19:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

RufusTheReindeer · 21/07/2014 19:50

LRD

We are making our way through angel as well, watch a couple a night

woke

Boden have something on their website about that, something along the lines of they know that people take advantage of their YEAR returns policy but they know who they are and will stop letting them buy stuff

Not something I'd do but I did buy a pair of sandals a hike back, didn't egg round to wearing them and when I saw them in the sale I returned them and bought the sale ones

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RufusTheReindeer · 21/07/2014 19:52

Do you know I swear my ipad changes words once I press the send button

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ElephantGoesToot · 21/07/2014 19:53

Sury everyone has, at some point, ripped the strap off a dress they no longer have use for and returned it for a refund?


This is a joke, right?
Because if not, no, never, and I wouldn't. I've returned defective stuff, but other than that, no.

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slithytove · 21/07/2014 19:56

I work in retail and would never do this.

Apart from the unpleasant task at the tills if the return has to be queried (not all staff have authorisation), taking back a non genuine return (if it can't go back on the shop floor) increases shrinkage which in turn pushes up prices.

If the return does go back on the shop floor as unused, it then opens the shop up to problems with genuine customers if that item has fault.

One selfish customer, just like one selfish thief, wrecks things for everyone.

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GreeboOgg · 21/07/2014 20:02

I sell clothing online and can never understand why people do this. Often items are returned very obviously worn, and you don't have to be a stinky bugger hiking 17 miles on a hot day to replace the 'new' smell with your own personal odour.

I suspect people regard it as a victimless crime. It isn't, it costs me bloody money- I can not resell an item you wore on a bloody night out. If you can't afford a new outfit, wear something you already have! Expensive new outfits for all occasions aren't a god given right or a necessity. Angry

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TheFairyCaravan · 21/07/2014 20:09

I've never done it. My sister used to do it all the time, she probably still does. I know the outfit she wore to my wedding got aired on the washing line and taken back, and the strap pulled off one of the shoes!

I, also, know someone who took back a worn all-in-one teddy underwear thing to BHS in the nineties. She wore it the night before her boyfriend went away for a tour of duty, so it saw some action, but left the tags in, took it back the next day and said it didn't fit. They gave her her money back. I've not bought undies from BHS since!

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