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AIBU?

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Original poster

It's okay to wear clothes then return them for a refund

383 replies

KeyLimePies · 31/01/2022 09:26

Kay Burley on Sky News mentioned an article in one of the papers covering what happens to clothing purchased online and returned (not sure which retailer). Apparently they go to a big warehouse to be sorted and are given a 'sniff' test - to which KB said "c'mon, we've all done it"

AIBU to think that the majority of people don't order clothes, wear them, then return items in a smelly state for a refund? I have never done this unless the item has developed a fault after wearing it - and I've definitely never returned clothing smelling of sweat or anything else.

YABU - it's perfectly okay to wear something then return it for a refund, even if it's not faulty - it's one of life's perks.

YANBU - the majority of people don't do a KB!

OP posts:
Pahahahahahahahee · 02/02/2022 08:26

Do you send it back stating, you think it's been previously been worn? If you send it back as faulty as a PP said the factory could get into trouble

DrSbaitso · 02/02/2022 08:38

Problem is, if you send it back as worn, they might assume you're the one who wore it.

Ashfish · 02/02/2022 09:16

I would never return clothing after wearing it. There is obviously a place for hiring outfits for special occasions - so a nice business for someone. And, one of the things I used to do was to buy or make an outfit that could be changed or teamed with different tops etc. The fashion industry's carbon footprint in horrendous, it uses a lt of water as well, and also the garments often end up in landfill - frequently in countries other than our own. Ethically it is wrong on s many fronts. Lets be more imaginative in our use of our own 'outfits'!

Namechangedididittoo · 02/02/2022 10:26

I had a very well off colleague who every few months returned their electrical items (kettle,toaster,microwave,vacuum etc) not all at the same time and said they didn’t work properly. They got refunded then bought new (which gained a new receipt to carry on the scam).They gave different postcodes etc

AdobeWanKenobi · 02/02/2022 10:43

@LoisLane66

No it is NOT OK. What I do is go to the store, find the item I've seen online and try it on in my size. I can see the real life colour, feel the material and see how it fits. Then I order it to be sent to my home. There is now no need to try at home and send back but if you're one of those despicable individuals who actually order to wear then send back...it says so much about your attitude, none of it good
Why on earth do you go to a store, try on the exact item you want and then go home and order the same thing? You’re still trying it on, albeit putting it back on the shelf rather than sending it back to the warehouse so you’re saving nothing and causing yourself more hassle.

If you were looking to stop people from having to buy tried on clothing you’d buy the one you tried on in the shop and not go through the rest of it.

If that’s true then it’s utterly boggling 😂

Rosscameasdoody · 02/02/2022 10:57

@Ontheblink

Someone needs to invent a device which can detect how long a garment has been worn for by the same person for any length of time. It might work as a deterrent for the CF who do this
The up and coming ‘smart fabrics’ will be able to do this eventually. I was watching something on factory processes a couple of weeks ago and they were talking about this. It’s actually quite scary and I don’t pretend to understand the science of it, but apparently it’s something to do with nanobots being worked into the fabric and they can then be programmed according to whatever use they’re put to.
sarahk72 · 02/02/2022 11:31

Natasha Kaplinski ( remember her ) was the worst for doing this. She once tried to returned a pair of trousers that were screwed up and covered in cat/dog hair at the bottom of the bag. I slid the bag back and said ‘nope’ she felt that because she had a valid receipt this was acceptable but would she purchase them in that state? Of course not. Also had a woman try and return a well worn coat because it started to get holes - it was 10+ years old! Unbelievable!

woodhill · 02/02/2022 11:38

@Namechangedididittoo

I had a very well off colleague who every few months returned their electrical items (kettle,toaster,microwave,vacuum etc) not all at the same time and said they didn’t work properly. They got refunded then bought new (which gained a new receipt to carry on the scam).They gave different postcodes etc
Also saw people returning suitcases to Debenhams saying they were faulty but probably wear and tear and getting new ones but never actually paying for them as the always insisted on an exchange. No wonder they went under
BestBeforeddmmyy · 02/02/2022 11:41

A couple of years go I was shocked when a work colleague told me she regularly did this and that it wa normal. She mentioned it because I pointed out that she still had the price tag hanging from the neck of her dress. She said that she never removed tags.
Truly crap as we both worked in professional well paid jobs.

gunnersgold · 02/02/2022 11:42

I work in retail and I've seen everything so it doesn't surprise me . What annoys me is my company doesn't clamp down on it so people take the piss more and more!
I had a man have a serious shout at me becaue he was trying to return a pair of trousers as new . There were no tags and they reeked of washing powder when he got them out his bag . Plus you could see they had been washed. I gently explained that he may have picked up the wrong pair and that these had obviously been washed and got a load of abuse in return . Luckily my manager backed me up ! The balls of some people ! 🙄🙄

Mummyto2rugrats · 02/02/2022 14:09

Never done this would never dream too its morally so wrong, I shop on line all the time and on return if the style or fit isn't right. Have an item now I ordered 3 things 2 in my size 1 not but really liked so went a size up but actually the size up just looked way to big when on so not a nice fit so that will be going back pity as it looked like it could be really nice on

AuntMasha · 02/02/2022 14:17

It’s a gross thing to do imho. I once ordered a parka. When it arrived, not only did it smell of fags, 🤮 there were a bus ticket and some loose change in the pocket. The company were very apologetic.

mummybean84 · 02/02/2022 15:44

Wow! not only would I not do this but I am now totally washing everything I buy before I wear it! That’s just grim 🤢

Kidsgrownup · 03/02/2022 12:18

It's unfair to the retailer, so just not on. Only return if it doesn't fit or is sub standard merchandise.

User1isnotavailable · 03/02/2022 19:07

It's scummy. I thought clothes needed to have tags on and be in a as arrived condition to be accepted for return/refund. What slob wears and returns? Do they have the tags daggling when they wear.

dementor72 · 03/02/2022 20:09

This makes me resolve not to buy online .
Disgraceful behaviour.

BeautifulBirds · 03/02/2022 20:28

Yes this happens. Returned stock that hasn't been worn gets rebagged for sale. Worn, good condition, stock gets given to charity all the rest goes for recycling /rags.

Some stock is returned that has clearly been worn multiple times.

EthelMerman · 03/02/2022 20:52

@User1isnotavailable

It's scummy. I thought clothes needed to have tags on and be in a as arrived condition to be accepted for return/refund. What slob wears and returns? Do they have the tags daggling when they wear.
The one I know tucks the tags inside, and is very careful not to pull them off the clothing so they can take it back. Has been doing it for years, knows no shame, even when remarked upon by colleagues.
Treesandsheepeverywhere · 03/02/2022 22:11

@dementor72

This makes me resolve not to buy online . Disgraceful behaviour.
Happens in shops too if not checked properly. I went to try on a skirt in the chasing room, when I put my hands in the pocket, there was a folded sanitary pad. Luckily unused, but still 🤮.
tallbirduk · 03/02/2022 23:20

Returns cost retailers (and therefore us) a fortune, and are terrible for the environment.

This amp.cnn.com/cnn/2021/01/30/business/online-shopping-returns-liquidators/index.html is eye opening. If you watch the clip they estimate 25% of all returns just go to landfill!

During 2020 ASOS saved £60million due to fewer returns being made. That’s not extra sales, that’s savings on the cost of returns.

It’s interesting to hear of people getting clear pre-worn stuff as that is actually more reassuring (although annoying for you if you get it) than thinking everything you return gets binned. Makes you think a bit though. Does me anyway.

SomethingOnce · 05/02/2022 19:32

Dictionary definition of a total skank 🤮

Lullab · 05/03/2022 14:14

Disgusting thing to do and puts up the price of clothing for everyone else!

SuperAsymmetry · 05/03/2022 14:21

I work for a charity which accepts donations from fashion brand of unsold items which are usually customer returns or just stuff that has been shop soiled/ not sold for whatever reason.
I've lost count of the amount of items I've checked which have clearly been worn due to evidence of bodily fluids on the garment.

IcedPurple · 05/03/2022 14:38

I sometimes order clothes from an online company which has big labels attached to the front. Returns won't be accepted unless the label is intact. Seems like a good way to deter this type of behaviour as nobody is going to go out with a big label attached to their chest. Surprised more companies don't do this.

sleepymum50 · 05/03/2022 14:51

Years ago I was talking to a lady who worked in Marks and Sparks. She said it was a regular thing in summer to get women’s hats returned, I looked surprised, but when she said “you know, summer weddings”

She said they regularly got returned (sometimes with makeup residue), but the return policy meant they got the refund. Also happened with men’s suits.

When I was a teenager, I once bought a bib dress which I wore once. It didn’t sit right and wouldn’t stay up. I’d bought it with my pocket money. I eventually took it back and got a refund, but I felt so guilty about it for such a long time.

It’s not something I’ve ever done since.