returning items and people exploiting the system

[wokeupwithasmile]

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?

[thisvelvetglove]

No, I've not done this and never would.

Ridiculous behaviour.

[Bowlersarm]

I'm really shocked people wear things then return them.

It's cheating the system. Just so wrong.

[BornOfFrustration]

Ive never done this, I get an attack of the guilts even if I'm not guilty.

[Pico2]

I've never done this and it makes me a bit that someone else may have worn my "new" clothes and not even washed them before returning them as "new". I do know people who do this. They seem to be the type of people who only wear outfits once and care whether someone has seen them in something before.

[ThatWasNice]

This is why I always wash cloths that I buy before I wear. Them.

[comediewithme]

There is some justification for this if you wear the item and find it does not fit well. Perhaps it bags up on one side as you walk? Perhaps it bunches up in the small of your back as you wear it all day? I have had a dress that did this and I felt no guilt taking it back after wearing it once. It wasn't faulty but it was definitely badly designed and not a good fit for anyone as far as I could see! How can you tell all this from 5 minutes standing still in it in the changing room?

[Lauren83]

I work in retail fashion management and it happens very very rarely with us, we can tell and unpicked stitch or 'accidental' damage and have refused returns if deemed due to that and not a manufacturing fault, its just not very common place amongst our customers, I imagine brands like Lipsy and the 'older ladies Lipsy' Karen Millen get it a LOT

Those that do it must also have to be prepared that when you buy something someone else may have worn it for 12 hours

I hand on heart have never done it

[StillStayingClassySanDiego]

People try on clothes in store and walk around wearing the item, taking their time.

They take them home, then change their minds and return them.

Within 28 days.

[flingingmelon]

I uses to work with a girl who was notorious for this. She didn't even take the tags out and on two separate occasions got very upset when our boss leaned over and pulled one out (trying to help!). She also used to wear boots with sainsburys bags inside them so she could return them.
Worse thing is, she works in high street fashion, she had massive discounts for clothing stores anyway.

[HouseofEliot]

I know of someone who ordered a suit for a court appearance from a catalogue that was returned straight after.

Not clothing but I also know someone who bought a tent used it for a week and then took it back.

[kali110]

No have never done this, just disgusting.

[PhaedraIsMyName]

Never done this, never would and would think less of anyone who did.

Oh and you do know a shop is under no obligation at all to exchange returned goods? If they are not faulty they don't even have to offer vouchers let alone money back.

[whatsonyourplate]

I know someone who did this with her wedding dress.

[NeedsAsockamnesty]

Some years ago I brought lots of the same pair of shoes in different colours think it was about 13 pairs (I really liked the way they looked and I'm a crap shopper) I wore one pair once for less than 3 hours, in that 3 hours I realised the shoe had an issue with the straps that meant they would mange the foot of pretty much anyone who wore them. My feet were black and blue and a mash of blisters to the point that I ended up with an infection and not able to walk for 3 weeks.

The shop took back the unworn shoes but treated me like a criminal when I asked about the worn pair due to being unfit for purpose, I was mortified.

Now I know why.

[Pico2]

Phaedra - presumably that is why some people damage clothes in order to return them. That seems even worse. Though both are poor behaviours.

I assume that shops could experiment with not providing refunds for goods that aren't faulty to see if more "faulty" goods were returned.

[Lagoonablue]

I think shops must be mad to do this. Great customer service but people just exploit it. Awful behaviour.

[Annietheacrobat]

I have never done this. My cheekiest was a recent return to m&s. Didn't realise they had instated a 1 month rule on refunds. Returned a top about 1 month 1 day after I has bought it (unworn I hasten to add). Saw the sign about the 1 month rule whilst queuing at customer services. Removed the receipt from the bag and told the lady that I had lost it and so was then able to get a credit note to the current selling value. The top was still in the stores at full price so didn't feel too guilty.

[MyFairyKing]

It is stealing, no matter how you dress it up. Pun intended.

[Deverethemuzzler]

I have never done it but I have been accursed of trying to do it

Bloody crappy clothes that unravel, shoes that fall apart on the first wear etc.

Maybe its the way I look?

[MrsHerculePoirot]

I have never done this. It is theft as far as I can see.

[slithytove]

Unfit for purpose is completely acceptable.

[slithytove]

Acceptable as a returns reason I mean!

[livingthegoodlife]

i have never done this. i find it shocking that people think this is acceptable, it is theft!

i have returned things which are unused which have gone into a sale before i have used them and then i have re-bought them at the cheaper price though...

[TheLovelyBoots]

I love the one where someone's son became ill so she decided to return the dress. Presumably with tiny splashes of sick all over it?