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?

[expatinscotland]

I have never done it.

[RiverTam]

I've never done this, it's a shop, not a clothes library!

I'm guessing that because there are dicks out there who do do this, that's one some shops have awful returns policies - 2 weeks for an exchange only kind of thing (Reiss, I'm looking at you).

[arethereanyleftatall]

I have never done this. Because it's dishonest.

I guess we can thank the people who do do this, when shops stop offering it even for genuine reasons, because of the exploitation.

[Staryyeyedsurprise]

No, I've never done that.

I remember years ago buying something from Principles - I was a student and needed "smart" for my p/t job. It was a bit above what I could afford but the assistant said if I bought it on a storecard, I could pay it off over a few weeks plus I had added protection such as if it went down in price, I'd be entitled to the difference back. When the trousers went out of shape after two wears, I tried to take them back thinking there'd be no bother because of the protection this card offered, and they refused BECAUSE THEY'D BEEN WORN!!!!

These days it'd have been a vey different outcome, but back then I was too embarrassed to argue and ended up keeping them even though they were unwearable and not yet paid for

Never bought anything else in Principles until this day and seeing I've worn "smart office wear" for work for the last 15 years, those trousers cost them more than they cost me.

[arethereanyleftatall]

Make no mistake, if you do this, you are stealing. You are stealing the profits they make from the sale of the dress. (Yes, someone else will buy it, but then the company would have sold two.)
Makes me think though, there might be a gap in the market fir people to rent posh dresses for a one off do.

[CoolCat2014]

Can't believe people do that. I hate taking stuff back even if there is a genuine fault with it.

[Deverethemuzzler]

Can't believe people do that. I hate taking stuff back even if there is a genuine fault with it

Why?

[rookiemater]

I have to say I'm absolutely disgusted that people would deliberately buy something, wear it and then return it. Also that posters on here are so unembarassed by this theft that they haven't even changed their posting names to hide their crime.

I do return things if they aren't fit for purpose. So for example I bought a swimsuit from John Lewis and within a couple of months of normal use bits of it had faded to the point where it was no longer attractive to wear - I was happy to bring that back and got a full refund. Ditto a very expensive coat where the popper broke within 3 months - in that case I would have been happy if they had offered to pay for a repair as I loved that coat, but they said they couldn't do that so instead I took a refund.

But deliberately buy something that you know you are going to wear and return - no I would never do that and I would stop being friends with someone if they told me that they had.

[morethanpotatoprints]

As morally superior I could never do anything like this.
I don't sit on judgement of other people doing it though.
The person up thread who wore a dress at a wedding for such a short time before having to leave with ill child. If it's something like this well why not? You know you'll never wear it again and you can't have done anything bad to it in a short space of time.

[wokeupwithasmile]

Devere It is a very stupid feeling, but I think shops are places where you buy things, not where you bring them back. Plus as I said I buy only what I want/need, and use it till it dies, so I often do not keep receipts. Bringing things back is a pain, loss of time and even money, having to explain things etc.

Morethan Sure, but when one goes to a wedding one often puts on deodorant, cream, parfume, make up, drives there, maybe even takes a train, then an hour there, then back. Plus if my dc is sick I hold him, maybe he sneezes or drools on me, maybe he has just cleaned his nose with his hand, and then puts the hand on me, and so forth. Calculating all this it is not having wore the dress only little, isn't it?

I think it is simple. As a poster said above, if the clothes I buy have a big tag on the front saying 'don't take this off or you won't get your money back', then I would not go to a wedding/party/day out with them. I feel the same is valid even if the tag is not there.

[BikeRunSki]

Never done this, although I have been refused a refund when the heels of some shoes wore through after I'd only worn them 4 times!!!! It's the "but I've only worn it a bit" dishonest people on this thread who've made shops wary of genuine returns!!!

I do know someone who pulls buttons off /smudges with lipstick clothes that she tries on in shop changing rooms, and then asks for a discount!!!

[TheLovelyBoots]

Devere It is a very stupid feeling, but I think shops are places where you buy things, not where you bring them back.

Goodness you're a dream come true for a shoddy manufacturer of consumer goods!

I wish I were more vigilant about taking back faulty things. I suspect that the less reputable large manufacturers in China, etc are pushing the envelope as far as consumers will allow on shoddy goods.

[TheLovelyBoots]

I do know someone who pulls buttons off /smudges with lipstick clothes that she tries on in shop changing rooms, and then asks for a discount!!!

Shameless.

[BikeRunSki]

Agreed Boots!

[browneyedgirl86]

I don't do this. I would be too embarrassed too. It's shameful that anyone thinks it's ok to do it!

[buddles]

Having worked in retail for 14 years I've never done it nor would I do it. Do people really think shop staff are thick as shit. I can tell when something's been worn most of the time and have refused to give refunds on account of this. If something is missing it's card tag I'll pop a note on the receipt tho my shop will refund/exchange without a tag on it - they fall off all the time so it's not a sign it's been used.

[Kiffykaffycoffee]

coolcat I hate taking things back too. Even though I only return things for genuine reasons. I hate the confrontation, having to steel myself, the fear that they won't believe me, fear of losing the receipts, fear of them finding a fault that I wasn't aware of and blaming it on me. Not to mention the time and the hassle!
It seems a lot of people have no shame fear.

[StillStayingClassySanDiego]

A lot of you who criticise:

I went for a job desperate to make a good impression, that meant looking ths best I could.

I didn't plan to wear then return. After the interview I knew the dress remained prestine and wouldn't be worn again. It was clean, not contaminated by sweat or make up, no more than a dressing room trying on session that any person could undertake on a usual day out with thrir friends.

I wouldn't wear it again, it was in perfect condition.

Comparison being a couple of differnt women trying the same dress on in the shop 's own changing room.

So what!

Buying a dress, wearing it, keeping it pristine , returning it after changing your mind and tbe receipt being agreeable to this fact.

I'm fine with this legal right to return.

[StillStayingClassySanDiego]

I'm a thief, really ?

Bugger, the mumnet shame -

My poor children are shafted.

[wokeupwithasmile]

TheLovelyBoots I don't understand your comment. I do not buy on the spurt of the moment, I do not buy what I can't afford, I prefer to 'think about it' if I am not sure. So I think the Chinese companies you are mentioning are doing very little business with me. And I have taken back genuinely faulty goods very little in the past because I am a savvy buyer. So no, I do not think the current use-and-throw market is making any money out of me.

[Numanoid]

Still Why didn't you go to Primark and buy something more affordable? I don't think interviewers care how fancy you look, every job I've been offered I've been wearing Tesco or Asda 'smart' clothes, I'm sure. As long as its business dress, it doesn't matter.

It's baffling that some people think this is okay, I'd be absolutely mortified doing that.

[Numanoid]

Meant to say Primark not Tesco! Also didn't mean to sound confrontational, I just don't.understand why fancy designer/high end.clothes are needed. Especially if they're not affordable.

[CoolCat2014]

Don't really know why I don't like taking faulty stuff back, think I'm scared that they will blame me - which has happened before. I bought a spring form tin from a major retailer, and it wouldn't stay shut, and burst open in the oven. As it was a supermarket I hadn't kept the receipt, and the lady accused me of shoplifting or buying it at another store when it was blatently identical to ones on the shelf. Made me so cross!

With clothes I've had that have fallen apart after one wash/wear, I'd usually take them back, but as I don't live near the shops and it would cost me £10 to travel back, sometimes I just don't get round to it. Stupid I know, but it depends how much the item cost to start off with. I tend to just avoid that retailer in the future.

[wokeupwithasmile]

Still I totally disagree with you.

Buying a dress, wearing it, keeping it pristine , returning it You did not buy it though. You borrowed it. How could you not plan to return it but were so strongly sure you would not use it again? Your story sounds like self-justification to me.

Plus I would think that a pair of black trousers and a black jacket would suits most interviews, and those you would have used again even if only at home. How could the dress be 'pristine'? Did you not use deodorant? Parfume? Did you walk to the interview? Did you sit down? How long was the whole affair from when you left your home to when you got back? Were you so cool about getting the job that you did not even perspire a little?

I find these 'I needed a big dress for a big occasion but the big occasion did not impact at all on the dress' ridiculous, frankly.

[StillStayingClassySanDiego]

Yes I am justifying my actions.

Your opinion is valid as is mine.