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Original poster

Would you...return a worn item?

70 replies

QuizTeamAguilera · 16/07/2014 20:15

I am expecting a flaming.

I have a jacket, bought for an occasion that was hanging on the back of a chair for longer than it was on my back. I essentially carried it around with me for the day.

I have it at home - label still attached, looking and smelling pristine. I know I shall never wesr it again. Shall I return it and get a refund?

Would you?

OP posts:
RoganJosh · 17/07/2014 07:06

If it's really pristine then I don't see the difference between it having been tried on a few times.

Contraryish · 17/07/2014 07:17

I bought a dress online from a well-known high street store for a NYE party. The reviews said that there were issues with the sequins on the dress catching on the sleeves and pulling, a couple of people said they'd taken it back and got a refund on this basis.

Wore it for the night, (surprisingly) found the sequins caught on the sleeves and left little ladders. Took it back for a full refund the next day.

Not sure if that's the same or not. I would have kept it otherwise, but was well aware it could be an issue and I might have to take it back! Wink

piratecat · 17/07/2014 07:21

i would.

WildBillfemale · 17/07/2014 07:24

*We turn stuff inside out. It's usually evident if it's been worn.

It is always lovely to find tit tape and Monica Lewinsky stains in dress that's "never been worn"*

quite - I have bought enough 'new labels on' stuff off e-bay that has deodorant residue in the armpits.

I wouldn't return it - sell on ebay (as worn once) or give to charity.

Rachie1986 · 17/07/2014 07:25

I took a bra back..

Let me finish, I'm not awful, promise!

Well known baby chain, went for a fitting for new nursing bras. Told size, tried on, seemed ok. Bought.
Took home, took labels off and starting wearing. Within an hour really uncomfy, obviously wrong size. Was really mad as it wasn't cheap! My mum said to take it back as id had a fitting etc. I did, ready for a fight, and they just said fine, immediately refunded, as it was "fine just to go back on the rack"...!!!!

I was a bit freaked out at the thought all my bras could be pre worn... ??

OwlCapone · 17/07/2014 07:29

Not everyone is as honest as the day is long.

Clearly. Hmm

I would never do this.

chipsandpeas · 17/07/2014 07:40

due to people who do this when buying something i normally take stuff from the back of the rack (where possible) cos most sales assistants stick the tried on/worn stuff at the front of the rack when putting them back out to sale

MrsCampbellBlack · 17/07/2014 07:46

No. And I bet the jacket smells of perfume or something. This low level dishonesty is depressing. Do you want to pay full price for something someone else has worn?

starfishmummy · 17/07/2014 07:58

Not in those circumstances. You say it is pristine but you probably wouldn't noticed your own body smells or perfume on it but others would!!

The only time I have taken something back that has been worn has been when it has proven faulty such as ended up ruined in spite if following the washing or dry cleaning instructions.

peasandlove · 17/07/2014 08:34

I would. If you didn't really wear it

OwlCapone · 17/07/2014 09:15

It was used as it was on back of a chair in a venue, not hanging unworn in a wardrobe.

VioletGoesVintage · 17/07/2014 09:18

Agree with MrsCampbell. This thread is depressing.

iseenodust · 17/07/2014 09:28

No. You used it for a day so now it's second hand. Don't care if it just hung on a chair most of the time. Bet you wore perfume.

sweetheart · 17/07/2014 09:39

I would. I sometimes wear things with the tags in to see how comfy that actually are. If I spend the whole day pulling at something then I take it back. Sometimes you can't tell the true fit of an item until you've been wearing it longer than 5 mins in a changing room.

NannyLouise29 · 17/07/2014 11:39

During the summer sales assistants and managers are on the lookout for this kind of thing, what with it being the time for weddings and the races.

I had an acquaintance who did this once with a dress, and she was shamed at the till when trying to return it. The sales assistant called her manager who announced loudly "this has clearly been worn!" Can't say I fancy that kind of experience myself.

I'd put it on eBay, new with tags, worn once.

Numanoid · 17/07/2014 11:43

Without giving too much away, many retailers are introducing measures to combat this, and they're a lot less obvious than you think. But they will be able to tell if something has been worn, regardless if it still looks/smells new. Some quite clever things out there, actually. :)

But no, regardless of this, from a personal viewpoint I wouldn't wear something then take it back. It's a cheap and inconsiderate thing to do. Would you want to wear what is effectively a second-hand item that you'd paid full price for?

dexter73 · 17/07/2014 11:54

I think that the best way to stop people doing it is to stick a big tag somewhere very visible saying 'this tag must be left on to return'. I have seen this a lot more recently. It is cheap and easy to do.

sweetheart · 17/07/2014 12:15

I'm not sure that will stand up though - of course things have been worn. You could argue that they were tried on several times in the shop and you also tried on at home......?

mkmjimmy · 17/07/2014 12:47

Yes.

mkmjimmy · 17/07/2014 12:47

As in yes take it back. better than it sitting in your wardrobe never to be worn again.

500smiles · 17/07/2014 13:03

Shock at that article, 7% people returning items that they have vommed on.

I wash things before I wear them so no I wouldn't.

I'd only return things if they are faulty, although I used to work with someone who would wear things a few times and then take them back as faulty by ripping a seam or pulling buttons off - no different to shoplifting IMO.

Gatekeeper · 17/07/2014 13:10

my dad did this with a suit that he'd bought for my nephews wedding; he got his money refunded without question and later one they would have found confetti and God knows what stuffed in the pockets. I couldn't stand there with him whilst he did the refund as I was so embarrassed

Numanoid · 17/07/2014 13:13

I've heard of someone finding a (thankfully still wrapped) condom in a wallet purchased from a popular high street store.
Unfortunately, the owner's wife found it, and took some convincing that it was there when the wallet was purchased, but hadn't been noticed due to that compartment not being used before!

CeeceeBloomingdale · 17/07/2014 13:25

No I wouldn't

honeypie10 · 17/07/2014 14:26

I once had to take a thong back to next. I usually just look for a bra then automatically get the knickers to match. I was in a rush and all they had in my size was thongs so got 1 and paid for them both. Wasnt till I got home i found - to put it nicely "staining" towards the back. I nearly threw up and marched back to next to get my refund.

Luckily the lady on the till didnt even question it, she was just so shocked it had been on the rail in the first place, she asked if i wanted to change for something else but i said if that can happen with a thong then i dread what else could be out there. Never bought underwear from next since that day.