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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to take back aftershave to Boots / Debenhams etc when I never bought it from there and exchange it (if they will let me)

72 replies

Notalone · 30/12/2008 20:23

I have been a bloody idiot and was wondering if this would be so wrong.

Basically I love perfume but as I am a mature student and DP is out of work due to having an accident, this is a luxury I just can't afford right now. My lovely aunt gave me some money for Xmas and told me to use it for something girlie / luxury so my first thought was to buy myself a bottle of something nice. Today I went into town and looked in every shop to make sure I was buying the most I could at the lowest price and decided to get some Hugo Boss Woman in a shop called Xtras. The price was fab but there were signs everywhere saying no refunds / exchanges on discounted perfume. Not a problem I thought until I got home and realised I had bought mens aftershave and not the perfume version.

Would it really be so bad to go to Boots / Perfume Store / Debenhams and try to exchange it as a "wrong Xmas present". The aftershave is what they sell anyway and I would not be profiting from it. Unless of course they could tell that it hadn't been bought from there in the first place, in which case would I get into trouble?

Any ideas?

OP posts:
honeybehappy · 30/12/2008 20:25

just take it back and explain, personally i wouldn't take it to another shop.

prettybutterfly · 30/12/2008 20:25

Oh, just don't.

prettybutterfly · 30/12/2008 20:25

Yeah - go for an exchange at Extras.

randomxmas · 30/12/2008 20:26

Surely they'd just swap it no problem?

Goober · 30/12/2008 20:26

That would be like stealing and the reason why the prices are so high in the first place!

Sell it on Ebay or save it as a present for somebody.

nancy75 · 30/12/2008 20:26

they can probably tell by the barcode that you got it in another shop

yomellamoHelly · 30/12/2008 20:27

They might be able to tell from the bar-code tbh.

HappyMummyOfOne · 30/12/2008 20:27

Boots have a way of identifying their perfume, I remember them saying when I bought some at xmas.

Personally, I wouldnt take back to another store - I would try and return and explain the error to the actual store though. Failing that, you could ebay it and then rebuy.

differentID · 30/12/2008 20:29

They don't have to do anything without a receipt, which obviously you don't have. I think it's a bloody cheek as I work in retail myself.

Blondeshavemorefun · 30/12/2008 20:30

try taking back to extras and if not then you could take it to another shop,say that a friend brought it,and they didnt reliese it was aftershave and not perfume

think most would exchnage if not unwrapped, ie still in its celafline (sp)

firstontheway · 30/12/2008 20:30

I don't think this is like stealing if it's just an exchange, the shop will not be out of pocket.
But try taking it back to the original shop first

duchesse · 30/12/2008 20:30

Yes you are BU.

Whatever happened to basic honesty in this country? We all behave like thieves and villains and think it's ok. Truly bizarre.

onepieceofbrusselssprout · 30/12/2008 20:30

Legally they don't have to exchange/refund if you made a mistake...the only time they have to exchange or refund is if the item is faulty.

If you do take it back for a refund, then personally I would be quite apologetic/polite and say nicely that you know that they don't have to.

Good luck.

Original poster
Notalone · 30/12/2008 20:31

Damn. Thought so. I am not a dishonest person but just want the lovely perfume I had my heart set on. Do you think all shops can tell by the barcode then?

Xtras have signs everyhere so it not looking likely I will get an exchange. I guess ebay is an option but I have never sold on ebay before and it seems like such a palaver. But then again this aftershave is 100 ml of something I will never use or want (DP is allergic to fragrances so I can't even give it to him). I am such a bloody idiot at times.

OP posts:
devilsavacado · 30/12/2008 20:31

Boots used to put strickers on their boxes of perfume saying it was bought from them.

onepieceofbrusselssprout · 30/12/2008 20:32

Do you have the receipt? If so take the receipt and anything else relevant (e.g shop bag) as it may help your request.

thisisyesterday · 30/12/2008 20:33

i don't think they'd be able to tell by the barcode at all.

i also don't think it's like theft is it.

the shop you take it back to isn't losing out is it? it can still sell the item for its regular price.

cheshirekitty · 30/12/2008 20:33

YABU. Why should Boots or Debenhams be out of pocket by a mistake you made.

Take it back to Extras and see if they will exchange it for perfume.

Agree with duchesse.

firstontheway · 30/12/2008 20:33

The shop may have signs up, but if you are very nice and the whole box is still wrapped and obviously unopened, you might be lucky considering you are asking for an exchange and not a refund.

ScottishMummy · 30/12/2008 20:34

retail stores have unique bar code to monitor stock control etc and can identify their own product

try for exchange credit note with original retailer Xtras

expatinscotland · 30/12/2008 20:35

Also, the shop where you're planning to take it may not stock that item at all and then you'd be totally busted.

Original poster
Notalone · 30/12/2008 20:36

Duchesse - I think that is a bit strong actually. I am neither a thief nor a villain. I am only after an exchange, not a refund so am not stealing as they sell the aftershave anyway.

Everyone else, thank you. I just wanted it confirmed that I wouldn't be able to do this. I am just a bit gutted as money is so tight and it would have been nice to have something luxury for once. I will never make that mistake again thats for sure. I will try Xtras tomorrow but won't ho,d my breath. Never mind!

OP posts:
pamelat · 30/12/2008 20:37

I think that you should return it to the original shop and try your luck there. Despite their signs, they should be able to see reason.

firstontheway · 30/12/2008 20:38

I have worked in a few popular shops in the past, (superdrug, john lewis etc) and they didn't have special bar codes. Though haven't worked in Boots or Deb, and this was about 10 years ago so things might have changed.

Original poster
Notalone · 30/12/2008 20:38

Cheshirekitty - how would they be out of pocket - I really don't understand your point when they sell it anyway?

I have the receipt and the bag from Xtras so will try them tomorrow with a big apologetic smile. Wish me luck people and thanks for all your help

OP posts:
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