Video Game Return Without Receipt

[richmond282]

Wow!

It's stealing.

I guess you don't see it that way.

You've rationalized the idea that since you are 'giving' the store something - your unwanted merchandise - that you are entitled to a store credit.

You are not.

That credit or return is for people who actually bought an item at the particular store and have the need to return it.

Most people don't do this stuff.

It's not okay.

Stealing what? The instore credit that I HAVE to spend in their store? Or the returned unopened item that the store now has and will resell?

 

[cari12]

Probably what stores are finding is that people are doing a lot of their shopping online and then for convenience, are returning things to stores they did not buy from because returning by mail is such a hassle. It does cost the stores money to pay someone to process your return for product they never got the money for selling in the first place. You know what the right thing to do is and unfortunately, the right thing is not always the easiest.

 

[Mrs.Malone]

I think it's unethical and no I have never done it.

Say you return MarioKart (purchased on Amazon for $50) to Wal Mart. Wal Mart pays you $50 for it. Wal Mart then puts it on the shelf and sells it to someone else for $50. Wal Mart made no profit off of the game because they paid you full retail price for it. Plus they pay the fuss of processing the return. Amazon, which paid $35 or whatever their wholesale price was, made the profit. I don't think that's fair, and it does "steal" from Wal Mart.

Wal Mart understands that people are going to do this, and maybe they don't really care because they have to pick their battles carefully, but that doesn't make it okay.

I would just return it to Amazon, or save it for a birthday gift for someone else. You could call Gamestop and ask how much they will give you for it.

 

[Sadie22]

I think it's unethical and no I have never done it.

Say you return MarioKart (purchased on Amazon for $50) to Wal Mart. Wal Mart pays you $50 for it. Wal Mart then puts it on the shelf and sells it to someone else for $50. Wal Mart made no profit off of the game because they paid you full retail price for it. Plus they pay the fuss of processing the return. Amazon, which paid $35 or whatever their wholesale price was, made the profit. I don't think that's fair, and it does "steal" from Wal Mart.

Wal Mart understands that people are going to do this, and maybe they don't really care because they have to pick their battles carefully, but that doesn't make it okay.

I would just return it to Amazon, or save it for a birthday gift for someone else. You could call Gamestop and ask how much they will give you for it.

Absolutely.

 

[azdizzymom]

Oh Jeebus, you're getting a little over the top over this.

Relax. Yes there have been times when many of us have gone in a store thinking "maybe" it was bought there. Not quite the same as knowing you bought it elsewhere and trying to return.

Stores are starting to create their own bar code stickers to put over UPC codes, in part because they deem this a problem. Stores have rigid return w/o reciept policies in part because they deem this a problem. If you can walk in head held high and say "I bought this on Amazon, can I return this for store credit here?". Then you're good. But if you find yourself saying "I got this as a gift I think my aunt Sue bought it here", even you in your abnormal world know that is decietful. Maybe not "EVIL" but yes, decietful. I guess you can let your conscience and store return policies be your guide. Good luck whatever route you chose to go

No what is over the top is those who claim never have to returned an item to a store it didn't come from and stating how unethical it is to do so. That is why I responded the way I did. Seriously with wedding gifts, shower gifts, birthday gifts, Christmas gifts over years these people can claim to have returned gifts to the store they came from 100% with a receipt OR REGIFTED OR DONATED OR SOLD THEM ...REALLY??????? REALLY???????

I am returning the item to Amazon in the snail mail. I am sorry but my town has no GAMESTOP or a store like that to sell it back to.

???? for those....WWYD if I hadn't stated the game came from Amazon and said I had a video game with no receipt and asked about returning it?

As stated it is going back to Amazon...guess no more online video game shopping or only buying from places with stores in my area. BUT since it is a duplicate I am not sure which is the one I am returning---the other is from a friend and the games were both in a stack of video games. Guess we could be returning the wrong one to Amazon---the one the friend gave who I will not ask for a receipt. SO I have 2 video games, I know where one came from but can't be sure I am mailing the one from Amazon back. Seriously that is the case.....I could be returning a game that did come from Target or Walmart to the wrong store....both are packaged the same (he has not played either copy since he got others to play).

 

[cornflake]

Is it really that hard to accept that people don't return stuff randomly to stores they have no idea were the origin of said things or not?

Becaue... people don't. I mean obviously some do but your disbelief that people just don't go return stuff to places at random is kind of odd.

I don't tend to return gifts much to begin with - unless they came with gift receipts, which tends, in my experience, to be when someone suspected the thing was the wrong size or I may have it or whatever. You just shrug and move on and stick it in the closet or regift it or give it away or whatever.

 

[maxiesmom]

No what is over the top is those who claim never have to returned an item to a store it didn't come from and stating how unethical it is to do so. That is why I responded the way I did. Seriously with wedding gifts, shower gifts, birthday gifts, Christmas gifts over years these people can claim to have returned gifts to the store they came from 100% with a receipt OR REGIFTED OR DONATED OR SOLD THEM ...REALLY??????? REALLY???????

Yes really. And I posted so on the other thread you started about this topic, as you don't seem to believe the posters here.

I think that your behavior of wanting to return an item to a store you know it didnt come from is the exception, not the rule. The people who are honest and regift non receipted stuff are more the rule. I'm kind of shocked that you think returing stuff to a store you are well aware the item was not purchased at is typical behavior. It is not.

 

[sam_gordon]

Yes really. And I posted so on the other thread you started about this topic, as you don't seem to believe the posters here.

I think that your behavior of wanting to return an item to a store you know it didnt come from is the exception, not the rule. The people who are honest and regift non receipted stuff are more the rule. I'm kind of shocked that you think returing stuff to a store you are well aware the item was not purchased at is typical behavior. It is not.

I bet it's not as unusual as you think. This is assuming the store stocks the item in question. That's not to say EVERYONE does it, but I'm guessing many people do. I also think it's a stretch to call it "stealing". The local brick and mortar store isn't out any money.

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

To those who said it was unethical please don't act all high an mighty. In all honesty you can't say you have not returned things to a different store. I would have said it was a duplicate gift. If you claim to have not done this...I doubt it is true.

We have all returned things to different stores...if we tell the truth.

Sorry to disappoint you, but in my 43 years - I have NEVER returned things to a different store.

Not everyone was raised without morals!

 

[SaraJayne]

Yes Amazon will deduct shipping since it is not their fault. I asked this question. I imagine it will cost more since they use UPS. I did get address late last night so I can do snail mail at a lower cost. That is what I am doing.

To those who said it was unethical please don't act all high an mighty. In all honesty you can't say you have not returned things to a different store. I would have said it was a duplicate gift. If you claim to have not done this...I doubt it is true.

BTW......the second game of another's BB sent by mistake is going back there. I know it will be hard explaining it is not for a refund...... It was an extra they sent and I don't get money for. If I wanted I could take there and get money back...so I am not such a horrid person.

We have all returned things to different stores...if we tell the truth.

You can keep telling yourself that if it makes you feel better. But it isn't true.

I've never once returned an item to a store I didn't purchase it at. In fact, it's never even occurred to me to do such a thing.

 

[SaraJayne]

I guess I have some family and friends who at times don't give gift receipts for gifts (putting this return which will go to Amazon tomorrow). I have gifts where I have no idea where they came from---and I won't ask for a gift receipt from someone. I will just return it to a store and take whatever they will give. I guess I live in an abnormal world to some who are lucky enough to never get duplicate gifts or unwanted items without a gift receipt. I guess I should re-gift these OR donate them. I live in a smaller town and trying to re-sell isn't really an option. I follow the stores return policy for no receipt returns----take whatever price they offer and take it in a store credit.

The store is taking the item back--which they obviously carry. They can re-sell the item and I am spending the money they gave me in their store. I do make sure I give gift receipts (no matter how little I spend on a gift---but I know I forget to at times). I don't make it a practice to do no-receipt returns, but at times there is no other option. I have lost receipts and then had to return the item (thankfully stores like Kohl's can look up by credit card---as can Target---Menards, etc.).

I love my abnormal world where I don't get gift receipts all the time....more normal than the perfect world of others. I will take my abnormal kids, abnormal family and friends any day over the perfect world with perfect family and friends who give the perfect gift or gift receipts ALL THE TIME so I don't have to do the unethical of returning to a store where it might not have been purchased.

Really? Or you could, you know, just ask where they bought the gift.

But that's no fun, is it, since you wouldn't be able to post over-the-top replies on a message board about it.

 

[mommyjam]

I think it's unethical and no I have never done it.

Say you return MarioKart (purchased on Amazon for $50) to Wal Mart. Wal Mart pays you $50 for it. Wal Mart then puts it on the shelf and sells it to someone else for $50. Wal Mart made no profit off of the game because they paid you full retail price for it. Plus they pay the fuss of processing the return. Amazon, which paid $35 or whatever their wholesale price was, made the profit. I don't think that's fair, and it does "steal" from Wal Mart.

Wal Mart understands that people are going to do this, and maybe they don't really care because they have to pick their battles carefully, but that doesn't make it okay.

I would just return it to Amazon, or save it for a birthday gift for someone else. You could call Gamestop and ask how much they will give you for it.

Walmart does not give you $50 cash, they give it to you in store credit, so when you use the store credit they get the profit on whatever else you buy. Walmart is not out anything or they would not accept without a receipt.

 

[MineMail]

*Another always-bring-it-back-where-it-came-from person here.* Honesty is the best policy - if you didn't know where someone purchased a gift, ask them! Getting the same video game twice is not the end of the world - people should want to help you exchange a gift for something more useful.

Wal-Mart is the loser in this scenario because it uses employee's time at returns and restocking, as well as the (hopefully) later resale. If the item doesn't sell, it ends up being marked down or written off, again costing the company money. It also increases the store's inventory carrying costs and the time value of money that Walmart incurs by having to give a phony refund/store credit on a product that wasn't purchased at their store.

 

[jcano]

Wow...I've felt guilty for returning something purchased at Wal-Mart to a different Wal-Mart before.

Guess I'm in an alternate universe.

 

[Mrs.Malone]

Walmart does not give you $50 cash, they give it to you in store credit, so when you use the store credit they get the profit on whatever else you buy. Walmart is not out anything or they would not accept without a receipt.

Yes, but if you were going to buy those things from their store anyway, which most people likely are--they would have gotten the profit on those things anyway without losing the profit on a MarioKart game. Yes, Wal Mart's loss is very, very small and they apparently feel the customer satisfaction/loyalty benefits they gain from accepting questionable returns outweighs these small losses. But it's the principle of it, I guess. I think if someone does it they should at least be aware that the store is doing them a favor, and repay the store with future business.

 

[dsny1mom]

No what is over the top is those who claim never have to returned an item to a store it didn't come from and stating how unethical it is to do so. That is why I responded the way I did. Seriously with wedding gifts, shower gifts, birthday gifts, Christmas gifts over years these people can claim to have returned gifts to the store they came from 100% with a receipt OR REGIFTED OR DONATED OR SOLD THEM ...REALLY??????? REALLY???????

I am returning the item to Amazon in the snail mail. I am sorry but my town has no GAMESTOP or a store like that to sell it back to.

???? for those....WWYD if I hadn't stated the game came from Amazon and said I had a video game with no receipt and asked about returning it?

As stated it is going back to Amazon...guess no more online video game shopping or only buying from places with stores in my area. BUT since it is a duplicate I am not sure which is the one I am returning---the other is from a friend and the games were both in a stack of video games. Guess we could be returning the wrong one to Amazon---the one the friend gave who I will not ask for a receipt. SO I have 2 video games, I know where one came from but can't be sure I am mailing the one from Amazon back. Seriously that is the case.....I could be returning a game that did come from Target or Walmart to the wrong store....both are packaged the same (he has not played either copy since he got others to play).

I did an online purchase for Fannie May candy. They screwed up the order big time (over $100 is wrong items sent). They told me to keep the items that were wrong and they credited my credit card enough for me to go to a local store so I could purchase the right items. I asked if I could send back the wrong items, as I just didn't feel right keeping over $100 worth of candy I didn't pay for and they said no just keep them for their error. Now I could have kept the items, given them as gifts or taken those items to the local store and exchanged them for the items I needed, but I didn't. I took them to my church and they went to a family in need. So yes, REALLY, there are people out there that do the right thing all of the time.

dsny1mom

 

[dsny1mom]

Yes, but if you were going to buy those things from their store anyway, which most people likely are--they would have gotten the profit on those things anyway without losing the profit on a MarioKart game. Yes, Wal Mart's loss is very, very small and they apparently feel the customer satisfaction/loyalty benefits they gain from accepting questionable returns outweighs these small losses. But it's the principle of it, I guess. I think if someone does it they should at least be aware that the store is doing them a favor, and repay the store with future business.

Sometime they will sometimes they won't. If MarioKart is a stinker of a game and it doesn't sell then Wal Mart is stuck with another one to mark down and loose money on.

dsny1mom

 

[MineMail]

Wow...I've felt guilty for returning something purchased at Wal-Mart to a different Wal-Mart before.

Guess I'm in an alternate universe.

I was waiting in line at a supermarket behind someone who wanted to return something - the clerk turned the customer away, saying that all returns had to go back to the store from which it was originally purchased. He was nice about it and explained that it had to do with inventory levels, but I think it was the net effect on the books - the store would be giving a refund for a sale they never made in the first place.

 

[bumbershoot]

If you know the game came from Amazon, you need to return it to Amazon. If you have the return shipping label it is free to send it back - they don't deduct shipping charges in my experience. If you don't have the shipping label, I'm not sure how it would work on returns but it certainly can be done.

They might not have done it for you, but depending on the return reason they certain could (and should).

"shipping costs may be deducted from your refund depending on the reason for return."

"If you return an item using the return label provided in the Online Returns Center and the reason for return is not a result of our error, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund."

If you pay to ship it back on your own, they just refund you for the item.

Yes Amazon will deduct shipping since it is not their fault. I asked this question. I imagine it will cost more since they use UPS....

Pretty easy to tell exactly here.


To those who said it was unethical please don't act all high an mighty. In all honesty you can't say you have not returned things to a different store. I would have said it was a duplicate gift. If you claim to have not done this...I doubt it is true.

I'm sorry you doubt it, but I don't understand WHY you would doubt it. Perhaps the idea of returning things to stores that didn't sell you the item is common in *your* area, or amount your friends, but it isn't common in *my* circle of friends. I don't doubt that YOU are doing this; why would you doubt that I would NOT do this?

BTW......the second game of another's BB sent by mistake is going back there. I know it will be hard explaining it is not for a refund...... It was an extra they sent and I don't get money for. If I wanted I could take there and get money back...so I am not such a horrid person.

Why not contact them ahead of time, to let them know what happened? Shouldn't be that difficult to explain; they probably have an online form that you can fill out to explain.

We have all returned things to different stores...if we tell the truth.

Really, not everyone has done this.

They also have the item you returned which they will resell and get $ for. They aren't "out" anything.

I guess we'd probably need to contact the accountant for those stores like walmart to see exactly what sort of problems it causes.

I guess I live in an abnormal world to some who are lucky enough to never get duplicate gifts or unwanted items without a gift receipt...

Or we live in worlds with only a few other people thinking to get gifts for DS, and those people simply give or send cash, to let DS pick out what he wants.

Seriously with wedding gifts, shower gifts, birthday gifts, Christmas gifts over years these people can claim to have returned gifts to the store they came from 100% with a receipt OR REGIFTED OR DONATED OR SOLD THEM ...REALLY??????? REALLY???????

Wedding gifts were from the registry, cash, or totally thought of and given by the giver, and those few items were actually so funkily AWESOME we never even though to give them away. (fabulously bright green candlesticks which are on our mantle still, and a soup tureen shaped like a cauliflower...not sure if I've used it yet in 8 years, but it's wonderful!)

For my bridal shower it was all off registry or, again, terrific on its own (a lamp that's totally not my normal style ended up being the PERFECT lamp for my bedside table), and the only gifts I didn't appreciate from my baby shower were, literally, Dollar Store gifts (from people the shower-co-giver invited because she felt sad I "only" had under 10 people on my list...sigh) so they just got donated, and these weird nursery rhyme books that were awful (borderline racist!), but luckily they didn't stand up to toddler-drool very well, and eventually disintegrated.


I worked for amazon customer service, so you BET I never bought anything without thinking about how I would return something.

 

[EveDallas]

Yes Amazon will deduct shipping since it is not their fault. I asked this question. I imagine it will cost more since they use UPS. I did get address late last night so I can do snail mail at a lower cost. That is what I am doing.

To those who said it was unethical please don't act all high an mighty. In all honesty you can't say you have not returned things to a different store. I would have said it was a duplicate gift. If you claim to have not done this...I doubt it is true.

BTW......the second game of another's BB sent by mistake is going back there. I know it will be hard explaining it is not for a refund...... It was an extra they sent and I don't get money for. If I wanted I could take there and get money back...so I am not such a horrid person.

We have all returned things to different stores...if we tell the truth.

I have NEVER returned something to a different store. I think you're just trying to justify something you know is wrong.