Gift Receipts - Beware

[tyniknate]

Just wanted to let you all know about a problem I've now had twice with gift receipts. Included them in with the gift and the gift had to be returned for whatever reason. I paid $39.99 for a sweater at Kohls and when it was returned (with the gift receipt) the person only received $24.99. When I spoke with the person who received the item she thanked me for including the gift receipt because it made it so much easier to return when the item didn't fit. During conversation I came to find out what she received in credit and I told her that wasn't the right amount. Went home, found the original receipt and called her up to get the receipt from her credit she received. I promptly went back to the store and they gave the difference on the gift card. Had we not spoken about it - neither she nor I would have known this store pulled a fast one. Needless to say I will not be using gift receipts anymore as there is no way of knowing if you are actually receiving full credit. I will give original receipts from now on when something needs to be returned/exchanged. Happened also at Toys R Us after giving an item as a birthday gift.

 

[Brer Shay]

This is standard practice for many major chains - Penney's, Kohls, Macy's, etc.. I had a similar experience 8 years ago and learned my lesson on "gift receipts." Toys R Us does NOT follow this practice though.

 

[Justsyd2]

I was going to add that this is totally normal. Only with a full receipt can you get back what you paid if the item has been marked down.

 

[vicki_c]

I'm usually all pro-business and capitalism and all that, but that is baloney! So the store makes money for selling nothing in the end? I can see that when you have NO receipt so they don't know how much you paid, but when you have a gift receipt connected to the original purchase?

I'm going to return something my DD got that didn't fit to Macy's with a gift receipt - we hope to do an exchange, but if we can't, I would be really mad to find out we got less $$ back than my mom paid for the item. I'm going to ask my mom the price before I go do the return.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

I'm usually all pro-business and capitalism and all that, but that is baloney! So the store makes money for selling nothing in the end? I can see that when you have NO receipt so they don't know how much you paid, but when you have a gift receipt connected to the original purchase?

I'm going to return something my DD got that didn't fit to Macy's with a gift receipt - we hope to do an exchange, but if we can't, I would be really mad to find out we got less $$ back than my mom paid for the item. I'm going to ask my mom the price before I go do the return.

I have to agree with you on this. That should be a crime! If you have a gift receipt, you should get back what was paid for the item. If you don't have a receipt, then you should get the mark down price.

 

[pixiedust9]

I've noticed when you go to Kohl's if you use coupons (15%, 20%, or 30%) or the $10 cash back, when you return an item you get the amount back less the discount. My grandmother bought a bunch of things from Kohl's one being a purse for my mom. My mom thought the purse was to big, returned it and was given less back then my grandmother paid. So maybe other people are using coupons and what not when they shop as well.

 

[RachaelA]

Are you sure you didn't use kohl's cash or a 15, 20, or 30% code? It may have been $39.99 before all that was used.

 

[vicki_c]

I've noticed when you go to Kohl's if you use coupons (15%, 20%, or 30%) or the $10 cash back, when you return an item you get the amount back less the discount. My grandmother bought a bunch of things from Kohl's one being a purse for my mom. My mom thought the purse was to big, returned it and was given less back then my grandmother paid. So maybe other people are using coupons and what not when they shop as well.

But that makes sense - you are still getting back what you paid for the item when you return it in your example. If you paid $50 and got $10 back (in Kohl's cash or whatever), you only paid $40, so that's all you should get back if you return it.

 

[S. C.]

Just wanted to let you all know about a problem I've now had twice with gift receipts. Included them in with the gift and the gift had to be returned for whatever reason. I paid $39.99 for a sweater at Kohls and when it was returned (with the gift receipt) the person only received $24.99. When I spoke with the person who received the item she thanked me for including the gift receipt because it made it so much easier to return when the item didn't fit. During conversation I came to find out what she received in credit and I told her that wasn't the right amount. Went home, found the original receipt and called her up to get the receipt from her credit she received. I promptly went back to the store and they gave the difference on the gift card. Had we not spoken about it - neither she nor I would have known this store pulled a fast one. Needless to say I will not be using gift receipts anymore as there is no way of knowing if you are actually receiving full credit. I will give original receipts from now on when something needs to be returned/exchanged. Happened also at Toys R Us after giving an item as a birthday gift.

Thank you for the heads up. I had no idea some of the stores did this.

 

[bumbershoot]

I'm usually all pro-business and capitalism and all that, but that is baloney! So the store makes money for selling nothing in the end? I can see that when you have NO receipt so they don't know how much you paid, but when you have a gift receipt connected to the original purchase?

I agree.

 

[msmayor]

This is standard practice for many major chains - Penney's, Kohls, Macy's, etc.. I had a similar experience 8 years ago and learned my lesson on "gift receipts." Toys R Us does NOT follow this practice though.

Since when? You have a source for this?

Gift receipts do not work this way and I seriously doubt that the idea of only offering the current sale price with a gift receipt is "standard practice".

 

[smkiya]

I was going to add that this is totally normal. Only with a full receipt can you get back what you paid if the item has been marked down.

Then why even use a receipt if you're going to get what you would without one? What is the point?

I have to agree with you on this. That should be a crime! If you have a gift receipt, you should get back what was paid for the item. If you don't have a receipt, then you should get the mark down price.

It is deceptive practices, and I would contact the Attorney General.

 

[Marshay]

I, too, was unaware that a Gift Receipt may offer less than the original price. Thanks for the head's up. I may just write the amount on the GR in the future. I always 'assumed' that the GF price was the same amount I paid.

 

[scjo68]

I heard about this and am pretty sure this happened to me several years ago.

My daughter had gotten two of the same doll, which was worth about $13. One had the gift receipt attached, so that is the one I returned to Target, and they said it had been clearanced down to $1. Rather than take the dollar, I kept the doll, and regifted it (it was popular at the time).

Now I think that she probably had paid more for it.

When I regifted the doll, I did not include the gift reciept!

 

[vicki_c]

I did a little Googling myself -- I browsed through 3-4 articles regarding returns. I could not find any references to getting less than the original purchase price when using a gift receipt. All said you get the original purchase price with a gift receipt, BUT with a gift receipt you only get store credit, not cash back. Which I have no issue with at all.

So I agree with those who said this is NOT a standard practice. As for the OP's issue - I am wondering now too if Kohl's cash or coupons weren't involved, confusing the issue.

I looked up the TRU gift return policy and while I suppose you could interpret it differently, it also sounds like you are supposed to get back the original purchase price. It doesn't say "current" price.

Gift Returns (from TRU website)

* If you are returning a gift to our online Returns Center, the purchaser will receive a refund issued in the original form of payment used to purchase the item for the price of the item and any applicable taxes.
* Gift Returns made at any of our Toys"R"Us or Babies"R"Us store locations will receive a merchandise credit when accompanied by a gift receipt or online packing slip.

Macy's website says about the same - store credit only.

I'm feeling better now. Less Ralph Nader-y.

 

[Tink415]

I had a strange experience returning a coat at Macy's last week. I ordered the coat online, size L. When we got it the price tag on the coat said size L but the label sewn in the coat said M. It was too small so I wanted to return an reorder. No more coats available. So I return to my local Macy's (to save the postage fee) with the receipt we received for online purchase. When the cashier processed the return it came up a lower price than what my receipt said...I'd like to know how because I waited for the 'best sale' to purchase the coat for months Anyway, the cashier needed my Macy's card to try & look it up that way but I didn't have it. She asked me to enter my social security number and was able to look up the purchase using that and I got a refund for what I paid. The experience left me feeling disgusted and almost cheated. Macy's sure has some hokey system.

 

[The Iron Giant]

That's crazy! Thanks for letting us know - I had no idea

 

[Danemom]

I just returned two sweatshirts to Penney's. My mom had included the gift receipt with them, but I'd stopped by her house so she gave me the regular receipt. She paid $77 for the sweatshirts. When I returned them, the cashier gave me a $51 credit. I checked the receipt again and asked why the amount was different. The cashier said it was because they were on sale now and it was a mistake. She called over a manager and they fixed it, but I would never have known if I'd only had the gift receipt (I would never have thought two sweatshirts would be that much!).
Funny thing is, when the cashier explained the situation to the manager she said, "Oh, and she wants what she paid for the shirts..." Well, YEAH!

 

[vicki_c]

That's crazy! Thanks for letting us know - I had no idea

IronGiant - are those your Gowalla badges? How did you get those in your signature here?

(Not that it currently matters - I haven't been to WDW since they created all those! For future reference though.)

 

[southern_redhead]

Funny thing is, when the cashier explained the situation to the manager she said, "Oh, and she wants what she paid for the shirts..." Well, YEAH!

What did they think you'd say? "No, no...I want YOU to KEEP the $26 difference for your trouble."

All this aside I assumed (wrongly I now see) that a gift receipt was strictly for TACT and EASE. As in you don't give the receipt that also has your husband's socks and your maxi pads on it. Clearly, this is not so - it is so the store can completely rip off the gift recipient. I doubt even writing the amount on the GR would do any good unless you just want the person to know they are getting ripped off. From now on I will pay for the purchase separately (no matter how many different transactions I must make) so that each person will get their very own REAL receipt in case they need it for exchange. Or, heck, to return it - maybe they won't find ANYTHING they want so now they can have the cash. Good to know!