Bed Bath and Beyond new return policy

[PlutoPony]

Just an FYI........

When checking out of BBB this week, was given a written notice of their new return policy, which takes effect April 20. If you make a return with the receipt, including gift receipt, there is no change in policy. But if you want to return something that you don't have the receipt for, they will first attempt to look the sale up in their system if you can provide the CC used to make the purchase (their system goes back 365 days). In a case where there is not a receipt available and BBB is unable to find the purchase in their system - used cash, CC transaction not found, etc. - they will refund your money or make an exchange using the current selling price for the item less 20%.

Sounds like they have been generous with their return policy in the past and find they must now tighten up.

 

[KingofJapan]

Yea because of the abusers out there that buy an expensive item and use the coupon then return it claiming it was a gift. They get the full price back. Imagine purchasing a $500 item and using the 20% off, that is $100. They pay $400 before taxes then go back a few days later and return it claiming it was a gift. They will get $500 + tax back. This is the same policy at buybuybaby. Can't wait to hear the uproar here on this new policy.

 

[kaddjr]

Yes, people tend to find the loopholes and take advantage. I think the policy is very fair.

 

[Kbee]

I never even knew what their policy was, I either have my receipt or they would just look it up. I didn't think anyone gave cash back without a receipt, its way too easy for people to scam them. I'm going to go and check the slickdeals site, I bet all the scammers are up in arms over this LOL

 

[KingofJapan]

I never even knew what their policy was, I either have my receipt or they would just look it up. I didn't think anyone gave cash back without a receipt, its way too easy for people to scam them. I'm going to go and check the slickdeals site, I bet all the scammers are up in arms over this LOL

Haha. Yea they are going to be pissed. I also never returned anything without a receipt.

 

[amcnj]

I have noticed a trend towards tightening up on return policies. As suggested above, abuse of generous return policies is the most likely reason. I think stores also see a lot of returns of items not even purchased from them initially. I have heard of stores giving only the lowest sale price for returns without a receipt, so this is not much different to me. With all their coupons floating around, and their acceptance of even expired coupons, it is very possible that a product was purchased for 20% off. I wonder if they have any idea how much actual return based fraud costs them a year.

 

[poohfriend77]

My DMiL worked at BBB years ago. She would talk about people returning old towels, mildewed shower curtains, used toilet seats, etc. She had to give refunds with a smile, no matter what. She also said people would have huge wedding registries, then return hundreds or thousands of dollars worth of merchandise for cash after the wedding date. I'm surprised it took them this long to tighten the rules!

 

[KingofJapan]

My DMiL worked at BBB years ago. She would talk about people returning old towels, mildewed shower curtains, used toilet seats, etc. She had to give refunds with a smile, no matter what. She also said people would have huge wedding registries, then return hundreds or thousands of dollars worth of merchandise for cash after the wedding date. I'm surprised it took them this long to tighten the rules!

That happened to us on our wedding registry but we were not given cash, just gift cards. We actually received 3 dyson vacuums (already owned a nice vacuum and have no carpet in out home), 3 knife sets, 3 sets of pots/pans, various sets of silver wear and several other things. We had a few thousand dollars in Giftcards. Thankfully we saved it and used it at buybuybaby after we found out we were pregnant.

 

[FFMatt12]

That happened to us on our wedding registry but we were not given cash, just gift cards. We actually received 3 dyson vacuums (already owned a nice vacuum and have no carpet in out home), 3 knife sets, 3 sets of pots/pans, various sets of silver wear and several other things. We had a few thousand dollars in Giftcards. Thankfully we saved it and used it at buybuybaby after we found out we were pregnant.

I'm curious, how does that happen when you have a registry. I'm not married yet so I'm curious. Thanks!

 

[KingofJapan]

not everyone was going off the registry. Some people just went and purchased things. I did not even have a vacuum on the registry.

 

[FINFAN]

my DD and I just bought a bunch of stuff off of a friend's wedding registry yesterday... regular and gift receipts were given, but no new policy From what you posted, she will need the original receipt AND gift receipt? Nothing was said to me about the new policy by the clerk in the wedding registry department, or by the clerk at customer service (who had me step over to ring up the purchases) Guess I better go get those and read them. Also, if this is in effect for purchases made after the 20th, or the policy goes into effect the 20th no matter when items were purchased? I just want to make sure she gets cash back if returning as I paid with cash intentionally, but I was hoping the gift receipt would be sufficient. Oh well~no biggie, as the Bride would assume I used the 20%, lol...but odd that our store didn't inform of the new policy as it is in a few days.

 

[kaytieeldr]

From what you posted, she will need the original receipt AND gift receipt?

Nope. Just the gift receipt will be fine.

 

[Tinkerdreams]

I'm glad they're instituting this policy.

 

[Dizzy4DL]

My mom works for a regional chain in our area. People regularly bring in used toasters, coffee makers etc. that her store doesn't even carry or hasn't in years. No receipts. And the employees have to "find" a price, and hand them cash with a smile. Or when they have noticed that a lot of one item has been shoplifted recently, and one family keeps coming in to "return" it. They give those people the cash like they are happy to do it. If my mom sees a person slipping stuff into their purse/pockets, she can go tell the supervisor, but they usually let the person walk out with the items. The company is so afraid of being sued, they're being robbed blind.

 

[PlutoPony]

BBB isn't exactly known for being consistent in applying its policies so it will be interesting to see if this is enforced across a broad section of stores or not. The note I received when I checked out said "effective April 20" so I interpret that to mean it will cover any returns made from the 20th on.

Obviously a YMMV situation. Will be interesting to see what happens

 

[PlutoPony]

The company is so afraid of being sued, they're being robbed blind.

It really really frustrates me that companies are unable - or unwilling - to enforce policies like this. We ALL are paying for this via higher prices and the fact is companies are willing to take the loss (to avoid an unhappy customer, risk of lawsuit, whatever) and pass on the costs to US! Don't see a lot of motivation for businesses to work on loss prevention these days.....

 

[supersnoop]

It really really frustrates me that companies are unable - or unwilling - to enforce policies like this. We ALL are paying for this via higher prices and the fact is companies are willing to take the loss (to avoid an unhappy customer, risk of lawsuit, whatever) and pass on the costs to US! Don't see a lot of motivation for businesses to work on loss prevention these days.....

That's not necessarily true. Loss prevention can often cost more than theft. We'd be paying higher prices for them to prevent the theft.

 

[maxiesmom]

It really really frustrates me that companies are unable - or unwilling - to enforce policies like this. We ALL are paying for this via higher prices and the fact is companies are willing to take the loss (to avoid an unhappy customer, risk of lawsuit, whatever) and pass on the costs to US! Don't see a lot of motivation for businesses to work on loss prevention these days.....

The motivation comes when they have their year end. And inventory. What businesses call "shortage" is a part of how management is reviewed and graded. And their bonuses reflect that.

 

[pryncess527]

That's not necessarily true. Loss prevention can often cost more than theft. We'd be paying higher prices for them to prevent the theft.

Agreed. Businesses are here to make money. I think it is reasonable to assume that, in most cases if stores do not emphasize loss prevention it is because they examined the costs and determined that their current system is more profitable than a stricter system.

 

[dpswift]

It is sick what people will do. As PP mentioned people will steal and return items for cash, they will use fake coupons and then return the item without a receipt, another thing is they will buy a new clothing item grab an old item and return that with a receipt.

Years ago a friend would return most gifts her family received. Even inexpensive ones that it most likely cost more in gas than what she got back.