Do you shop based on return policies?

[JustCallMeMommy]

I'm very hesitant to buy anything expensive at Best Buy because of their return policy. I bought a DSLR there a good 10 years ago. I didn't need to connect to a computer until day 15 and then discovered that it wouldn't connect. They wanted to charge a hefty restocking fee to get me a working one. I ended up dealing directly with Canon, but it was a pain. While I'm sure they were following their policies, it definitely affected my future buying decisions.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Depends on the item, what it is and who it's for if it's a gift. So I guess I could say - sometimes. LOL

 

[tvguy]

Brick and mortar stores? Not so much, because I have seen/held/tried on the item before I purchased it so I know if it is correct before I made the decision to buy it.
I've had a whole lot of returns of auto parts recently. Of course, if you install the part, you can't return it. I try and bring the old part. Even then if they have to order it, odds are 50-50 that the part they order isn't the right part. I took 3 tries to get the correct tail light socket for my 2003. The parts guy entered the VIN, make and model of car, and twice the "correct" part according to the computer wasn't the correct part. On a whim, and I gather based on experience dealing with automakers, since my car was one of the last 2003's built, he looked up the same part for a 2004. Bingo. THAT was the correct part. They must have switched parts towards the end of the 2003 model year.

Online, yes. Although with online returns, the return policy isn't the problem. It's the shipping cost. One return can wipe out any savings you got by buying online.

 

[bigbabyblues]

I don't, but I don't remember the last time I returned anything.

 

[CarolAnn856]

And I generally avoid buying certain items online, like shoes for example, because I don't want to be bothered to have to ship them back if they don't fit well.

Let me introduce you to www.zappos.com! They have tons of good brands, both reasonable and expensive, and it's definitely one of the more reliable shopping sites. All of their items have no shipping or return fees.

I had an awful time looking for shoes for a wedding a few years ago. I can't tell you how many pairs I ordered from Zappos, didn't like, and returned until I finally found the perfect pair. All you have to do is keep the box they come in and, of course, not wear them out, and you can return. It's even really easy to print the return label at home.

 

[mtemm]

I rarely return anything. That said, there are certain stores I refuse to even set foot in because of return policy. I remember years ago learning about a store (Burlington coat factory) that had a zero return policy. A friend bought a crib there, got it home and started to put it together. It was missing a couple of parts. She tried to return it, no luck. She has to go thru the manufacturer. This was all the same day and they told her she should have opened it before purchase. I had known their policy prior and had refused to go there, but was still shocked at what my friend went through. Not sure they still have this policy, this was around 15 years ago.

On the other hand, I will often buy things at LL Bean because of their return policy. They stand by what they sell!

I do shop often at target and love how easy it is to return/exchange without a receipt. Everything can be looked up on my Amex (I use for everything). I don't return often but they make it easy if I do.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

Nope, I rarely return anything because I make sure it's something that I want or need and always ensure that it fits, it's the right color or what not if it's larger or more expensive. The only time I have returned something is if it was broken or imperfect in some way and I usually do it same day or first thing the next day but I call ASAP, so that I alert them something is wrong.

 

[nkereina]

I only take return policies into consideration for two scenarios - if I'm ordering online and haven't seen it in person so I may not like it OR if I'm clothes shopping and want to bring it home to try it on with some of my other clothes/shoes, which means there may be a chance I want to return it.

 

[pryncess527]

Usually only with clothes I buy online.

 

[MichiganScott]

Yes, absolutely it factors in.

This is why I love Sam's Club/Costco. Both have among the best return policies in retail today, which is why they get multiple large purchases from me.

 

[LilyWDW]

Nope... but I honestly can not tell you the last time I had to return something.

 

[Nennie]

REI will take back anything within a year, no matter how many times it's been used. This is an amazing policy especially when purchasing expensive sporting equipment. For instance a bicycle can seem great, but then you ride it for 50 miles and realize your knees hurt bc it doesn't fit properly, or a tent is a pain to set up and repackage,etc So for that stuff, I'm willing to pay REI prices.

Online, I think Amazon is great too. I received a swimsuit with a small hole in it, and they sent me another one the swam day and then credited my account as soon as they received the damaged one back, so I didn't have to wait, etc.

 

[manning]

If I can I like Costco. Bought a Kcup coffee maker after couple of years it quit. Wanted to send it to the manufacturer to fix. I couldn't find the receipt and Called Costco to see if they had one (they're at that). The girl said just bring it in for a refund. You got to be kidding right? They found a record of purchase and gave me the refund. It's different with electronics. That's 90 days.

 

[MillauFr]

I love shopping at Costco and Amazon. Great return policies.

 

[MillauFr]

Yes, sometimes, especially if we're looking for durable items that are expensive and where warranty and return may come into play. I've always liked Sears for household goods because of their liberal return policies.

I would caution against buying any large purchases at Sears. It will be very difficult if not impossible to return anything when the stores close. With Sears the question isn't if they go out of business just when they go out of business.

 

[katie111]

I know people always say to "support local businesses" but return policies are often what keep me away from local stores. I recently bought an expensive sweater at a local boutique type store. I never usually spend that type of $$ on clothes but it was definitely something I knew I'd wear a lot. I wore it once & it was covered in pills. The return policy said exchange only. I figured they would waive that since it was defective. They refused & now I have a credit to a super expensive store where I really don't want anything else. I'll be buying my sweaters at Kohls or Marshalls from now on!

 

[Scootypuffjr]

I love Costco and Nordstroms for their liberal return policies. I just returned a pair of Nike's this past weekend to Nordstroms that I bought for my son because they already started to get holes in them after a few weeks of wear. They apologized for the inconvenience and gave me my money back.

 

[Princess Mulan]

I have to give a shout out to Nordstrom: free shipping, free returns, no time limit on returns!

 

[Princess Mulan]

I love Costco and Nordstroms for their liberal return policies. I just returned a pair of Nike's this past weekend to Nordstroms that I bought for my son because they already started to get holes in them after a few weeks of wear. They apologized for the inconvenience and gave me my money back.

Another reason to love Nordstrom: the excellent customer service!

 

[amcc]

Toys R Us. My mom gave my son a duplicate toy for his birthday and she, of course, misplaced THAT receipt. TRU wouldn't even give us store credit a few days later and it was a TRU Exclusive toy, still on the shelf at full price, and with a TRU exclusive sticker on it. I've got 4 kids so they lost alot of business from us.