repackaging/restocking fees

[eliza61]

First it was the big electronic stores, they started charging $25 bucks when you return a computer or electronic item. 25 dollars for what they call restocking. Now my local target is charging a "repackaging fee" for small items. From what I understand if some one buys you a pair of pjs that you don't like, the store is charging or taking 5 bucks off the return value for what they call "repackaging"



I hate when this happens because once one store gets away with it, it usually travels to all the stores.

EDITED: Hi guys I want to make clear, that this did not happen to me personally. I was returning a purchase at Target last night and the women in front of me was having a huge fight about this because evidently she was returning a baby shower gift of some type of baby onsie or snuggie outfit. The cashier was definitely telling her that target is beginning to charge 5 bucks for a "restocking fee". Evidently due to the large number or returned items.

Being the nosey person that I am I simply agreed with the women & said it would definitely make me think about spending lots of money here.

 

[vicki_c]

I have never heard this (repackaging fee, I mean - not restocking fee). My DH works @ Target, I'm going to ask him about it when he gets home from work.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

It's one way stores deter people from buying things, using them, then returning them within the return policy period. It also puts the cost of repackaging, restocking and tossing on the consumer who buys the item (or returns it, as the case may be) instead of spreading that cost out in the form of higher prices for everyone. We can't have it both ways... either liberal return policies with higher prices or lower prices with more restrictions.

 

[Soon2B4]

What repackaging could there be for pjs?! What, you have to use a hanger to put them back on the rack?

 

[allison443]

What repackaging could there be for pjs?! What, you have to use a hanger to put them back on the rack?

I would have said the same thing...but on black friday weekend I bought my dd a three piece pajama set from Target (tshirt, flannel pants, and sleep shorts). It was nicely folded with a pretty fabric ribbon holding it together. Anyway the one in the pattern/size I wanted was kind of messed up, falling out of the ribbon. I bought it figuring I'll just reassemble it at home.(I am pretty good at things like that)

Let me tell you that thing was harder than Rubiks cube. I couldn't get it back together to save my life. Finally I had to give up and just stick it in a box.

So now I know what "repackaging pajamas" means!!

(I don't think they should charge a fee though)

 

[eliza61]

It's one way stores deter people from buying things, using them, then returning them within the return policy period. It also puts the cost of repackaging, restocking and tossing on the consumer who buys the item (or returns it, as the case may be) instead of spreading that cost out in the form of higher prices for everyone. We can't have it both ways... either liberal return policies with higher prices or lower prices with more restrictions.

But then I have a couple of questions

1) totally not being snarky, dead serious. Isn't part of the store employees job is to refold and make items look pretty?

2) if it's an item like a shirt, do I have the option of putting it back on a hanger and getting my 5 bucks back? Once again I'm assuming that part of the stores employees job is to hang stuff up, how is it 5 dollars more labor intensive to hang a shirt up that was returned as opposed to hanging a shirt up that was left in a dressing room? I can imagine a toll booth now in the dressing room requiring you to insert 1.00 in quarters before you can try clothes on just in case you leave them in there.

For me it can get costly. When I shop especially in the winter, I hate trying clothes on. I hate removing heavy coat, sweater, etc, etc to try on a pair of pants. but if this is true (and I haven't had it happen to me so I'm not going to swear by it). I could be potentially charged 5 bucks every return?

 

[Justsyd2]

Allow me to give you the side of the business owner. I sell on the internet, and when an item is sold I remove it from inventory, inspect it, make sure it's clean, print the invoice and shipping label, package it in a jewelry bag, box it, wrap it, tie it with a bow, bubble wrap the item, box it for shipping, hand write a thank you card, include free promotional items, and arrange for package pick it. I do not include this cost in the cost of the item, or in the cost of shipping, but if an item is returned, there is a restocking fee to add this item back in to my inventory to cover my losses.

I assume that stores operate the same way. Once the item is rang up, bagged, and sent on its way, if it comes back it has to be re-tagged, reentered into stock, checked, and put back out for sale.

 

[elgerber]

My problem with things like the pajama situation in particular, is you have NO idea if they fit until you try them on. Which you cannot do without making a mess of those neatly wrapped in ribbons PJ's they sell. You should not have to pay to restock just because they do not fit.

 

[Soon2B4]

Allow me to give you the side of the business owner. I sell on the internet, and when an item is sold I remove it from inventory, inspect it, make sure it's clean, print the invoice and shipping label, package it in a jewelry bag, box it, wrap it, tie it with a bow, bubble wrap the item, box it for shipping, hand write a thank you card, include free promotional items, and arrange for package pick it. I do not include this cost in the cost of the item, or in the cost of shipping, but if an item is returned, there is a restocking fee to add this item back in to my inventory to cover my losses.

I assume that stores operate the same way. Once the item is rang up, bagged, and sent on its way, if it comes back it has to be re-tagged, reentered into stock, checked, and put back out for sale.

I think the point is about a big box store like Target, not an internet/self-owned business. Target is paying a cashier to put the item in the bag for you, not package it. More and more people are using their own bags so you can argue that it didn't cost them the bag either. They aren't putting any money into packaging each time especially for you when you buy it. I have worked retail, specifically clothing. Items don't really have to be checked. You can tell when something has been worn without putting a lot of time into it. When you return on item, they generally require them to have tags on them. So no real money lost there either. The computer puts the item back into their inventory automatically when it is returned.

I agree with electronics, but I have a hard time with clothing and similar items.

 

[dawnbu40]

I'm wondering where OP learned of this? I shop Target all the time and I've never heard of such a thing. The last month a lot of untrue rumors about various stores return policies have been all over the internet and are hurting businesses.

 

[zoemurr]

I would never buy something for the kids without them there to try it on.

Also, lots of times they are counting on you buying and and not returning it even if it doesn't work for you. (I know I have done this by accident.) They would lose out on those sales since most people wouldn't bring it home unless they are absolutely sure it's ok for their family.

 

[Mrs D]

Target returns get more difficult every time. My friend gave DD a swimsuit and included a gift receipt. It was too small and I prefer 2 pieces for swim lessons (easier if they have to potty during class). I found the original swim suit in the store on sale. I picked out a suit I wanted and brought it up to exchange desk with the gift suit and gift receipt. The cashier said she could only credit me the sale price although she did confirm that the gift receipt showed my friend paid full price.

I don't understand why they offer gift receipts if you can't get the value that the gift was purchased at.

I was furious and if I knew a little girl who could have used the suit I would have kept the original.

It makes me less likely to shop at Target. If all Target stores are adopting this policy I will stop shopping there all together.

 

[Lewisc]

Best buy charges a restocking fee of 15%, not $25.

 

[bicker]

Seems very fair to me. It is always better for the folks who aren't heavy users of customer service when product and service providers separate the cost of specific things, when the provider isn't at fault. That way, the folks who don't need those additional services can benefit from not having to subsidize the value provided to those who do need those services. The finer control I have over what I pay the better.

 

[zoemurr]

Target returns get more difficult every time. My friend gave DD a swimsuit and included a gift receipt. It was too small and I prefer 2 pieces for swim lessons (easier if they have to potty during class). I found the original swim suit in the store on sale. I picked out a suit I wanted and brought it up to exchange desk with the gift suit and gift receipt. The cashier said she could only credit me the sale price although she did confirm that the gift receipt showed my friend paid full price.

I don't understand why they offer gift receipts if you can't get the value that the gift was purchased at.

I was furious and if I knew a little girl who could have used the suit I would have kept the original.

It makes me less likely to shop at Target. If all Target stores are adopting this policy I will stop shopping there all together.

I would asked for a manager on that one.

 

[Lewisc]

Target returns get more difficult every time. My friend gave DD a swimsuit and included a gift receipt. It was too small and I prefer 2 pieces for swim lessons (easier if they have to potty during class). I found the original swim suit in the store on sale. I picked out a suit I wanted and brought it up to exchange desk with the gift suit and gift receipt. The cashier said she could only credit me the sale price although she did confirm that the gift receipt showed my friend paid full price.

I don't understand why they offer gift receipts if you can't get the value that the gift was purchased at.

I was furious and if I knew a little girl who could have used the suit I would have kept the original.

It makes me less likely to shop at Target. If all Target stores are adopting this policy I will stop shopping there all together.

Once seasonal merchandise goes on clearance sale the value of your return is limited to the clearance price. You received the clearance price as a credit, you bought a bathing suit on clearance. There is some logic to that process.

I think customers who return clothing, with the original tags attached, within a few days (7?) of purchase should normally get full value on an exchange or credit. Not everyone takes the time to try on clothing.



The only issue is disclosure. Customers want ultra low prices but aren't willing to accept the kinds of conditions that are needed to support those prices.

 

[cm8]

Once seasonal merchandise goes on clearance sale the value of your return is limited to the clearance price. You received the clearance price as a credit, you bought a bathing suit on clearance. There is some logic to that process.

I think customers who return clothing, with the original tags attached, within a few days (7?) of purchase should normally get full value on an exchange or credit. Not everyone takes the time to try on clothing.



The only issue is disclosure. Customers want ultra low prices but aren't willing to accept the kinds of conditions that are needed to support those prices.

True, but if I paid more for my item, I want the full amount back, not the sale amount. I couldn't buy something from them for half of what my dollar is worth and they won't let me either. They can't have it both ways either!

 

[eliza61]

I'm wondering where OP learned of this? I shop Target all the time and I've never heard of such a thing. The last month a lot of untrue rumors about various stores return policies have been all over the internet and are hurting businesses.

Hi Dawn,
I was eavesdropping (spelling) at the target return desk yesterday. It was also on CNN a few days ago. Anyway a women was trying to return a gift of baby snuggies or onesies, I couldn't tell, but there was a huge argument because the cashier said that target is instituting a 5.00 "restocking" fee.

It did not happen to me so folks please, this is just hearsay!! I was wondering if this is going to be a new policy. which concerns me for 2 reasons.
1) I really do believe that retailers and airlines have herd mentalities. once one of them institutes a new fee, the rest follow.
2) Like I said before, I'm not a big in store "tryer oner". I don't like dressing rooms so this could end up costing me.

 

[bicker]

True, but if I paid more for my item, I want the full amount back, not the sale amount.

Of course that's what any consumer would want.

I couldn't buy something from them for half of what my dollar is worth and they won't let me either. They can't have it both ways either!

That's why terms and conditions matter. They define who can have what which way, and when. That way, no one is having anything both ways: It is clear, up-front, when and if a purchased item can be returned, and under what conditions, including if it is returned, how much credit/refund the person returning the item will get.

 

[bicker]

1) I really do believe that retailers and airlines have herd mentalities.

Consumers surely do, so it makes sense that retailers and airlines would as well, though it is clear to me that we consumer tend to react more emotionally, while retailers and airlines tend to react more analytically.

2) Like I said before, I'm not a big in store "tryer oner". I don't like dressing rooms so this could end up costing me.

Well, everything ends up costing someone something somehow. I think there will always be retailers who provide "better" service (i.e., not charging restocking fees), though perhaps their prices will be a little higher as a result. In the end it evens out: If something is a better value than something else, consumers flock to it and sellers therefore raise the price. And vice versa.