Venting about a store's return policy...

[maggiew]

I normally try not to make snarky comments, but I can't help it in this case. I mean is that what Christmas has come to??? You are mad because someone didn't get the exact item off your list? And they got you a gift card from a place that you was on your list instead of randonly picking a lotion fragrance for you?? Why don't you guys just buy your own gift, wrap it up and open at the party?? Then you can be sure you get what you want.

I believe you implied that you asked for the receipt from the gift giver? I hope you didn't. It is not worth causing family strife over a $10 coffee mug.

And as far as the store policy goes, I believe it is not that uncommon for stores to not accept returns without a receipt. Just move on. Donate the item if it really will clutter up your kitchen and not be used.

Maggie

 

[Princesca]

The way we do gifts in my family has been that way since before I was born. It's just the way we do things. You may not get that family tradition, but each family has their own ways of doing things and that's ours. No one has to participate, of course... but it's understood that, if you do, you follow those two rules, you spend the agreed-upon amount, and you shop off the list, unless the person doesn't make a list or says they just don't care.

If we had a different system (and I'm not saying we shouldn't - this Christmas is a perfect illustration of why that's worth considering) then expectations would be different. As it is, though I find it somewhat frustrating, I'm hardly MAD at the person who gave it to me. But I also feel it's within my rights to take it back and get something I'll use, if I can. If someone bought me a sweater that didn't fit, I don't think anyone would expect me to keep it around just for kicks, would they?

It wasn't an exact item off my list, either. I had about fifteen things on there, all of which were available at just about any mall or general goods store. So it wasn't like she got me something that was just a hair off and I threw a fit. I didn't have anything remotely like this on my list.

I've never had an issue returning anything, with or without a receipt, if I had convincing evidence that something came from that store. On multiple occasions I've lost the receipt or not had one, but had an item that they clearly kept in stock, and had the bag it was purchased in, and they were happy to give me store credit. Those are stores I'll go back to, because they made the shopping experience an easy, pleasant one.

Part of my frustration is what seems to be a litany of small-business issues of late, chiefly businesses that post hours they say they're open, and you make the drive out there, only to find out they aren't open after all. I've had two failed attempts at a haircut in the past month for that reason. And then you read about business owners in the local paper who bemoan that no one patronizes the business! Yeah, we tried, but every time we showed up during your posted hours, you weren't there...

People talk about what a shame it is that so many mom and pop places are losing out to big-box stores, and I agree. I love the local flavor and uniqueness of small businesses. But I've only got so much free time in a day - I have to work for the money I'm going to spend at those businesses. And after I make a couple of trips, only to find out a place isn't open when it said it would be, or that I'm going to have to drive to another county just to get a receipt from someone so I can even get store credit on an item that clearly came from that store and has the pricetag still on it, yeah... I'm done with that place. There are just other options. And that's fair - benefit of the free market.

 

[DawnM]

It doesn't sound personalized to me, it sounds like they have mugs with initials on it.....which they can certainly sell to someone else if it is returned in new condition.

To the OP: There are only a handful of places I even shop anymore because they have an excellent return policy. I rarely use it, but I like knowing it is there just in case.

Costco is the best for us.

Dawn

I completely understand the store policy (especially because it was personalized). That being said, your post is actually about the tremendous lack of customer service in many retail establishments (and restaurants). I'm in complete and absolute agreement with you. It's something I've been saying for years!

A sincere apology (without changing the outcome, because after all it is their policy) goes a LONG way towards keeping a customer from becoming upset. I have even gone so far as to send an e-mail to a store, stating that if they would have just apologized, I wouldn't have been upset!

 

[Princesca]

Thanks Dawn - you're right about the personalization. It's definitely something they could put back out and sell.

I don't have a Costco membership, but have been considering one. It's good to know they have a good return policy! I try not to shop from places that don't, even for gifts, because I don't want someone I buy a gift for to be inconvenienced if they need to exchange it. Or if I think there's a pretty good likelihood that they'll need to exchange it, I just fold the receipt and tuck it discreetly in the box. That way I don't even have to know that they want to return it, if they do. For instance, this year, my grandma didn't make a list, so we were all forced to use our imaginations. I got her some jewelry that I thought would look pretty on her, but she has pretty particular tastes in that, so I included a gift receipt. More than anything, I want her to have something she'll enjoy, and if she needs to take it back to achieve that, then I'm 100% okay with that.

 

[Sagginit]

no receipts, no exchanges is very common. it prevents fraud and all sort of theft issues that can arise. they may not have sugercoated the answer, but they gave you an answer. its the week after christmas. this poor boutique is probably bombarded with angry people who hate their own initials on coffee mugs in your case i would be annoyed with the gift giver not the store. while some may not agree with the list, at the end of the day the person failed to follow directions mutually agreed to by your family. adults who fail to follow basic directions and think they are special and can do what they feel like doing annoys me more than stores that are straightforward. but hey everyone has their pet peeves.

 

[DianeV]

Princesca, I agree with you totally and dont 'get' some of the comments..

 

[momxx5]

Wow, sorry you had such a terrible experience.

A bit of perspective may be needed to fully understand how the original post came off:

We had a very meager Christmas. Two of my kids got IOUs and another got needed sneakers, one got only a sweathirt. The youngest got her Santa wish....lucky uner $50.
DH & I got nothing.

Sure I have a list of 15 things I would love to have, inluding new eyeglasses, new shoes, not even getting into the "wishes" like a new purse or coat, etc. Even fluffy socks would be appreciated.


I think your family needs to revisit the "RULES", to make sure this does not happen in the future. The rules about gift giving are new to me. I am forevery grateful to recieve any gift....and I am so glad that my children are understanding and thankfuly for anything they recieve.

I would die if I went "off the list" and then was asked for the reciept. I would be venting more about that then the lack of getting a sufficient gift.

Sorry but could not pass this.

 

[Princesca]

in your case i would be annoyed with the gift giver not the store. while some may not agree with the list, at the end of the day the person failed to follow directions mutually agreed to by your family. adults who fail to follow basic directions and think they are special and can do what they feel like doing annoys me more than stores that are straightforward. but hey everyone has their pet peeves.

Heh - I'm annoyed with her too. Irritated at the boutique - think it's a shame, but in the end, it is what it is. You're right about the adults ignoring rules thing. I often think I should have been a cop - it has always bugged the snot out of me when people don't follow the rules. Too much, I'm sure, but as personality flaws go, I'm okay with that one.

I'm sure some people will think this is horrible, but I am going to ask for the receipt. I'm going to tell her how much I appreciate the thought, but would she mind if I exchanged it for something that I'd get more use out of. I certainly wouldn't have a problem with that if someone asked it of me, and when you decide to disregard a list of things you KNOW someone would like, in favor of something that's a guess, you always run the risk that you'll guess wrong. And I may relent about cash over store credit - there is a particularly comfy-looking set of slippers there that I actually could really use, if I can make the exchange.

Of course, this is assuming she even HAS the receipt. I find it odd that she left the price tag on, and gave it to me in the bag from the store, but didn't include the receipt.

 

[undertheradar]

Based upon the OP's signature, she is young. Perhaps looking at the scenario without emotion is an option. You received a gift in an exchange, a coffee mug that you don't like. You have received suggestions to donate it and move on yet you continue about how your family has always done the exchange. Trying to be nice about this but it is time to grow up. If the worst experience you have is a mug you don't like I would think that you have it pretty good. People are out of work, families are losing homes, and you are upset that a shop that you don't frequent is not worried about losing your business. I hope someday you look back at how silly this rant is and how lucky you are to have received a gift.

 

[brookmey]

I do understand the OP's frustration over the gift. I don't think she's being ungrateful or anything like that. I think if tradition says that gifts come from a list, it's not unreasonable to be annoyed over a gift that is not on the list. So, the coffee mug I understand, but getting a gift card instead of an actual item from that same store is being a little picky. What if the gift card was given instead of an item because the giver wanted to make sure you got a scent you would like?

As far as the small business return policy, I think it's important to remember that small businesses are going to run differently than the big ones. Their policies will be more strict, they will allow less exceptions, simply because they have to. Expecting a small business, mom and pop store, to have the same return policy as a major store is being a little unreasonable. Because they're independent, we can't assume that what goes at Target goes at the small store. I think people forget that because they're so used to shopping at major retailers who have generous return policies.

 

[Princesca]

Wow, sorry you had such a terrible experience.

A bit of perspective may be needed to fully understand how the original post came off:

We had a very meager Christmas. Two of my kids got IOUs and another got needed sneakers, one got only a sweathirt. The youngest got her Santa wish....lucky uner $50.
DH & I got nothing.

Sure I have a list of 15 things I would love to have, inluding new eyeglasses, new shoes, not even getting into the "wishes" like a new purse or coat, etc. Even fluffy socks would be appreciated.

I think your family needs to revisit the "RULES", to make sure this does not happen in the future. The rules about gift giving are new to me. I am forevery grateful to recieve any gift....and I am so glad that my children are understanding and thankfuly for anything they recieve.

I would die if I went "off the list" and then was asked for the reciept. I would be venting more about that then the lack of getting a sufficient gift.

Sorry but could not pass this.

I'm sorry you had a meager Christmas, but I'm glad that you have such a good perspective about it. In Christmases past, when some of the family have fallen on harder times, we've reduced the amount we agree to spend, or just skipped it. This year, we spent $20 on each other, which I was shocked to find really doesn't buy much. And we cut back on what my immediate family all got each other, too, because we're planning a trip to Disney, and are saving for that. Believe me, I do know how it feels to sacrifice - I was out of work for over a year, and only started back up in August. But when people consent to take part in a gift exchange, and agree to take part in the tradition, the expectation is that things will be done in a certain way.

Honestly, next year I think I may recommend one of those Yankee swaps, where you just buy something cool and everyone takes turns swapping gifts. You might not end up with something you really want then either, but at least everyone will have realistic expectations and it really will be a surprise, what you end up with. (Which is the reason why I don't really like getting or giving gift cards - there's nothing really to open, and it's tantamount to someone just handing you cash.) With a long enough list, what you get is still a surprise - it just gives an extended family members some parameters. I don't personally feel like I know everyone of my more distant family well enough to shop for them. Like my cousins' wives? Not really...

 

[Princesca]

As far as the small business return policy, I think it's important to remember that small businesses are going to run differently than the big ones. Their policies will be more strict, they will allow less exceptions, simply because they have to. Expecting a small business, mom and pop store, to have the same return policy as a major store is being a little unreasonable. Because they're independent, we can't assume that what goes at Target goes at the small store. I think people forget that because they're so used to shopping at major retailers who have generous return policies.

This is a fair criticism - and like I said, it's not like I'm going to burn the place down in a fit of pique. I didn't buy the item myself, so I wasn't aware of the return policy - now that I am, I won't ever shop there, and that's that. That's the way commerce works. I'm irritated, but as I said in an earlier post, I don't expect them to bend their rules for me. It'd be swell if they did, but rules are rules. Doesn't make it any less irritating, tho.

Oh - and as for the gift card versus the actual item, it wouldn't bug me at all if I hadn't written on my list 'no gift cards please' and included a note that 'any scent but fruity is great'. Like I said, I don't hate her by any means for doing it, but it's a little irritating ANYtime you explicitly state something and then someone goes out and does the exact opposite.

We all have pet peeves that get on our nerves that would seem trivial to someone else. This just happens to be mine. If you find it beneath you, you certainly don't have to read further in the thread...

ETA: The last line wasn't directed at you specifically, brookmey.

 

[Anne34]

This is why when buying anything I always ask up front what the policy is. I can understand a store credit without a receipt, but if I have the receipt and can't get my money back there's no way I'm shopping there.

I can't imagine any business that won't do a store credit or exchange. I wouldn't be shopping here either!!

 

[dsny1mom]

Op, it sounds like you are venting many frustrations on one little store, that simply informed you of their return policy. You have every right to not shop there and to tell others that this store will not exchange without a reciept, but to say anything derogitory about the store would really be uncalled for and nasty. Enforcing a stores policy isn't poor customer service and not breaking policy for you or anyone else isn't either.

The main reason most stores demand a reciept is because of growing customer abuse of return policies. Without a reciept the store has no way of knowing what was paid for the item (or if was even paid for) and therefore doesn't know what amount of credit to issue you. I realize you offered to take 50% of the ticket price, but that 50% could be more than what was paid for the item initially.

Take the reciept and the item to the store, get your refund, exchange, get a store credit or whatever their policy allows and be done with it.

Next year you might want to list out acceptable merchants on your family gift exchange list along with the items you want.

dsny1mom

 

[Princesca]

Op, it sounds like you are venting many frustrations on one little store, that simply informed you of their return policy. You have every right to not shop there and to tell others that this store will not exchange without a reciept, but to say anything derogitory about the store would really be uncalled for and nasty. Enforcing a stores policy isn't poor customer service and not breaking policy for you or anyone else isn't either.

The main reason most stores demand a reciept is because of growing customer abuse of return policies. Without a reciept the store has no way of knowing what was paid for the item (or if was even paid for) and therefore doesn't know what amount of credit to issue you. I realize you offered to take 50% of the ticket price, but that 50% could be more than what was paid for the item initially.

I did say in a previous post that I would just honestly state my experience there. It's up to other people if they want to do business with them, knowing that.

And the price tag was on the item. This was purchased just a week or two before Christmas, so they probably have a pretty good idea if 50% would be fair, or not. But, like I said, it's their rule, and that's fine. Would love it if they could be flexible at all, but they can't, and that's their prerogative.

 

[bellarella]

Wow.

I never really realized how much grief I save myself by thinking of gifts as . . . GIFTS!

Seriously, if I get a gift that I don't like/doesn't fit/is the wrong color, I really don't think twice about it. If I happen to know the store, I might go and ask nicely to see if I can get an exchange, but I assume that without a receipt, I'm out of luck. Not that this is an issue, because it was a GIFT. Something I didn't have before, so I'm no worse than when I started if the object goes to Goodwill.

Of course, I guess that this only works if you give gifts because you want to, and not because you have to. But that's an issue that would need to be addressed with a family, and it may not be worth the effort. In that case, I'd work off the theory that I'm giving what I want to and not really think about what I might receive (better to be pleasantly surprised rather than needlessly disappointed).

 

[Jey12]

I have to agree with the OP on the point of the whole thing and not just look at it individually. As for the store their policy is their policy. Sometimes when I receive a short response that sounds a tad rude I often wonder if the person is from a foreign country and doesn't have the language skills to finesse the response to one that would be more customer service orientated? Honestly I probably wouldn't have even taken the time to return the gift, it wouldn't be worth the trouble to me. I'd just either give it to someone or donate the mug and call it a day.

I do agree with you being a little irked at the gift giver. Not so much as being ungrateful for a gift, but that fact that this might have been a thoughtless gift. I'd rather not receive anything than get one that had little to no thought put behind it. My sister in law does this to DD every year. She makes no effort during the year to spend any time with her niece and get to know what she likes and what she's interested in. 3 years ago when DD was 2 for Christmas she gave her a craft set with gold glitter glue and a tye dye t-shirt kit. For a 2 year old. I had seen these same gifts given to her 5 year old at her bday party earlier in the year. I'm not against regifting, it was the fact that it looked like she basically went through the closet and took stuff she wouldn't let her DD play with and passed it onto us. Money wasn't the reason for the regifting either. Those were just plain and simple thoughtless gifts. If they'd been items DD was into, or at that age, even able to play with and enjoy then great, but that wasn't the case. For me it really is the thought that counts, and if you can't even put a couple of minutes into thinking about a gift you want to give then please don't bother.

I think you're onto something for next year with the yankee gift exchange, you must be from the south though because I've never heard it called that? We call it a "White Rabbit" gift exchange in my part of the country and it's tons of fun. We do this between a group of friends every year and it's always a good time. This year I walked away with a huge thing of coffee and a gift card for Home Depot. That way there's no pressure to please someone and you can easily rid your house of some stuff.


Now if the gift giver honestly thought you drank a hot beverage and would get some use out of the travel mug then you should be thankful about the gift even if it wasn't on your list. It means they at least took a couple of minutes out of their own hectic life to think of you and purchase something they thought you'd like. For me that really is what counts. My aunt every year gets us something off the wall I'd probably never use or ask for, but I know she really put a lot of thought into what she's buying. Her gifts are ones I treasure because it's just become fun to see what she's going to get us every year. This year it was a shake weight, and while I'm probably not mature enough to use it without giggling , but I love it and honestly I've used it more than I would have ever guessed. Mainly to torment DH.

 

[Princesca]

Something I didn't have before, so I'm no worse than when I started if the object goes to Goodwill.

Not exactly true - you spent money on someone else in the gift exchange, so you are, in effect, out whatever the agreed-upon amount is because you gave with the expectation of receiving, according to the way the exchange is set up.

Look at it this way... if you went to a Blockbuster, and gave them $5 with the expectation of renting a movie for a night worth $5, and instead they gave you a $5 value meal from McDonalds, wouldn't you be irritated? I don't really see that this situation is so different. If someone gave me that gift apropos of nothing, sure... I wouldn't have had the same reaction. It is a kindness that is nothing reciprocal - just a gift. But a gift exchange is different, in my opinion. People participate and agree to abide by the rules of the exchange.

 

[Princesca]

I have to agree with the OP on the point of the whole thing and not just look at it individually. As for the store their policy is their policy. Sometimes when I receive a short response that sounds a tad rude I often wonder if the person is from a foreign country and doesn't have the language skills to finesse the response to one that would be more customer service orientated? Honestly I probably wouldn't have even taken the time to return the gift, it wouldn't be worth the trouble to me. I'd just either give it to someone or donate the mug and call it a day.

That's a good point about the foreign country. I suspect not, given the general demographics of the town, but I certainly don't know for sure.

Ordinarily, I probably wouldn't take the time, but I was thinking that it might make for a nice day trip... I could meet up with my mom for tea or something, do a little shopping, and stop by the boutique to exchange.

 

[livndisney]

Not exactly true - you spent money on someone else in the gift exchange, so you are, in effect, out whatever the agreed-upon amount is because you gave with the expectation of receiving, according to the way the exchange is set up.

Look at it this way... if you went to a Blockbuster, and gave them $5 with the expectation of renting a movie for a night worth $5, and instead they gave you a $5 value meal from McDonalds, wouldn't you be irritated? I don't really see that this situation is so different. If someone gave me that gift apropos of nothing, sure... I wouldn't have had the same reaction. It is a kindness that is nothing reciprocal - just a gift. But a gift exchange is different, in my opinion. People participate and agree to abide by the rules of the exchange.

What a sad way to look at a gift. But according to you, you will come out "whole" if you donate the gift for a tax writeoff.