What's the deal with Kohls??

[tasha99]

You have no merchandise, but you have the ability to go pick out anything from the store that equals the amount on your card, and not have to pay anything out of pocket for it. The merchandise credit has value.

Yes, and its been paid for just like the merchandise was paid for.

 

[Judique]

You have no merchandise, but you have the ability to go pick out anything from the store that equals the amount on your card, and not have to pay anything out of pocket for it. The merchandise credit has value.

Only at Kohls. You've basically given Kohls a free loan of your money until you need to take it back in merchandise. Kohls has the cash - the real cash!

I pretty much agree with MhsJax. I can't be bothered shopping there.

 

[Free4Life11]

All of this makes my head spin....why does anyone even bother? Just sounds like a lot of hassle and work.

 

[vacationer1954]

I agree. I want to buy things somewhere where if I'm not happy they either cost so little that I'm not upset or the return policy gives me my money back not a coupon or store credit.

 

[maxiesmom]

I agree. I want to buy things somewhere where if I'm not happy they either cost so little that I'm not upset or the return policy gives me my money back not a coupon or store credit.

Kohls does. They give you the choice of an in store credit. It is never the only choice, unless that is what you spent in the first place. Or you don't have a receipt. I'm not sure why some posters are speaking as if it is the only choice you get and it is forced on you.

And Kohls is the only store out there who will take stuff back without a receipt, with no question. And no time limits. Try doing that anywhere else and see what you get.

 

[mhsjax]

Kohls does. They give you the choice of an in store credit. It is never the only choice, unless that is what you spent in the first place. Or you don't have a receipt. I'm not sure why some posters are speaking as if it is the only choice you get and it is forced on you.

And Kohls is the only store out there who will take stuff back without a receipt, with no question. And no time limits. Try doing that anywhere else and see what you get.

This invites trouble and taking advantage. They are so concerned about their Kohls Cash, they should be concerned about their return policy, people will take advantage of that.

I understand you like Kohls, I personally find it to be a rip off and really sub par quality on their clothing. Even the brand names that I buy else where are not the same quality and fit, there is something off with Kohl's. But those of you that love it, can have my share.

 

[sookie]

Because they didn't have the same sweater in stock any more! When you are shopping online for things you can't try on, you are bound to have returns now and then.

All I can say is that I used to recommend Kohls to everyone and they were my go-to store for everything, but I've become very disillusioned the past few months! And judging by things I'm reading online, I'm not alone.

I haven't shopped at Kohl's in years, but I agree with the OP - they still have her money, correct?

Plus - every time I have ever exchanged for store credit - I have ended up spending more money in the store, not less.

I find it to be a weird decision on the part of Kohl's (how it is described in this thread). I don't shop there anymore because when I bought children's clothing there - it was falling apart. I got to where I would only buy Carter's clothing there, and when those prices became less competitive - I stopped going at all.

 

[maxiesmom]

I haven't shopped at Kohl's in years, but I agree with the OP - they still have her money, correct?

By her choice. She elected to get an in store credit, it wasn't her only option. Unless you don't have a receipt, or made the original purchase with an in store credit, you are never made to take one for a return. And some posters are coming across as if in store credits are forced on you in order for Kohls to keep your money. Not true!

I guess that having worked retail for different companies for almost 30 years, I understand why they are doing what they do with regards to Kohls Cash. I liked it when I made purchases and didn't have to worry about the whole un-earning it stuff. However I also see how it would be very easy for Kohls as a company to loose a ton of money by letting people keep their Kohls Cash.

Even so, I will still shop at Kohls. Just like I still shop at Target, even though I dislike their return policies. I just have to be careful and pay attention and know their polices. But I don't think either store is out to cheat me.

 

[Fueledbycoffee]

I was going to avoid this because it makes my head spin because there are so many different scenario....

Another way to think about Kohls cash is in terms of a gift card. The money for your future purchase needs to come from somewhere. At then end of the day Kohls needs to balance their books (your money + kohls cash taken in - kohls cash issued - returns= sales for the day). When you earn Kohls cash you are essentially buying a gift card (in paper form) for future purchase. A portion of your purchase is using a coupon code to purchase the Kohls.

A couple of simple scenarios:
Today I buy shoes for $50 and get $10 Kohls Cash.
Purchase is really $40 for the shoes + $10 for Kohls Cash= $50 spent today

I return the shoes next week and I get back the $40 and keep my $10 for later. $40 + $10= $50 ticket price & amount of money I gave them (Kohls books are balanced)

If I got what the people seam to think is "fair":
Shoes returned for ticket price $50 + $10 Kohls Cash that I "deserve" are kept= -$60 that Kohls has now given me for purchasing the shoes and then returning them and they have lost $10.

A PP gave a great example about the vacumes. If Kohls keeps allowing you to return at ticket price and keep the Kohls Cash they, they loose $ on every single one of those transactions!

Kohls needs to stay balanced or they won't survive... They can't pay people to return things. Yes, the old policy was great but the new one though it may seam confusing, will keep them in the black.

Not sure if this will help anyone... really wish we could draw it out to make it easier. Have a great 2013 shoppers!

 

[Fueledbycoffee]

Only at Kohls. You've basically given Kohls a free loan of your money until you need to take it back in merchandise. Kohls has the cash - the real cash!

Out of curiosity, what do you think gift cards are??? They are taking your money so you can spend it later. You returned something so now you can spend the money later.

You may not want that option but it does have value.

 

[mhsjax]

I was going to avoid this because it makes my head spin because there are so many different scenario....

Another way to think about Kohls cash is in terms of a gift card. The money for your future purchase needs to come from somewhere. At then end of the day Kohls needs to balance their books (your money + kohls cash taken in - kohls cash issued - returns= sales for the day). When you earn Kohls cash you are essentially buying a gift card (in paper form) for future purchase. A portion of your purchase is using a coupon code to purchase the Kohls.

A couple of simple scenarios:
Today I buy shoes for $50 and get $10 Kohls Cash.
Purchase is really $40 for the shoes + $10 for Kohls Cash= $50 spent today

I return the shoes next week and I get back the $40 and keep my $10 for later. $40 + $10= $50 ticket price & amount of money I gave them (Kohls books are balanced)

If I got what the people seam to think is "fair":
Shoes returned for ticket price $50 + $10 Kohls Cash that I "deserve" are kept= -$60 that Kohls has now given me for purchasing the shoes and then returning them and they have lost $10.

A PP gave a great example about the vacumes. If Kohls keeps allowing you to return at ticket price and keep the Kohls Cash they, they loose $ on every single one of those transactions!

Kohls needs to stay balanced or they won't survive... They can't pay people to return things. Yes, the old policy was great but the new one though it may seam confusing, will keep them in the black.

Not sure if this will help anyone... really wish we could draw it out to make it easier. Have a great 2013 shoppers!

If I purchased $50.00 shoes and received $10.00 KC, then I am still out $50.00 from my back acct. That $10.00 is for later. If I return the shoes that I paid $50.00, then I should receive $50.00 back, not $40.00.

Now if I don't accept a store credit for $50.00, then yes I can see not allowing the $10.00 KC. But I;ll be darned if I get a store credit for only $40.oo when in fact I paid cash, my cash for $50.00 and got $10.00 in KC for future use. IF I get only $40.00 in store credit when I paid $40.00 then they are stealing $10.00 of my money.

Or am I completely misunderstanding? to me if the price tag is $50.00 then I am paying $50.00 and then getting $10.00 in KC, or do they actually take $10.00 of the price of $50.00 making it $40.00. If they are doing that, it sounds to me like they are getting docked 2 times for the same $10.00 in KC.

NOte to self: This little piece of crap KC that they give, isn't worth the hassle. lol

 

[Lewisc]

People who don't like playing Kohls games should shop in a different store. Enough people don't fall for Kohls cash and Kohls will have to follow a different (and IMHO a more honest) promotion policy. That said Kohls policy makes sense.

Obviously Kohls "cash" has nothing in common with real cash. I can spend real cash in any store I want and at any time I want. Kohls "cash" can only be spent in Kohls and has an expiration date which is now enforced.

Retailers have a variety of ways to price. Kohls will sometimes discount and sometimes offer Kohls cash. Sometimes Kohls increases the posted "regular" price above what other retailers claim is regular retail price. One way to discount and make money.

Don't return anything. Keep your Kohls cash. You kept your part of the deal and Kohls will keep their part of the deal.

Return everything. Get a credit card refund. Give back your Kohls cash. Again everyone is whole.

Kohls cash is generally offered as an alternative to larger discounts. Others have observed Kohls cash frequently has an expiration date prior to the next major sale.

Let's look at a previous example. You purchased shoes for $50 and got $10 of Kohls case. You didn't get $10 Kohls cash in exchange for buying a $50 pair of shoes. You get $10 in Kohls cash in exchange for paying $50 for a pair of shoes that, in the absence of the Kohls cash promotion, might be selling for $40 (20% discount) give or take a few dollars. You don't get the promotion (Kohls cash) without "overpaying" for the shoes. Getting a store credit means you'll get to keep the Kohls cash without overpaying for the shoes. In effect you'll be stacking discounts.

The logic is easier if you take a different example, with different stores.

Apple products frequently sell at or near suggested retail price. Sometimes a store will offer a store gift card or a premium item such as a case. Occasionally a store will offer a real discount.

You don't get to return the iPod Touch, ask for a store credit for the amount you paid and keep the $30 Bestbuy gift card. Do that and you'd be able repurchase the iPod with your credit and get another gift card. You now have the iPod and 2 $30 gift cards instead of one. or You wait and purchase the iPod Touch when there is a sale. You now got the lower sale price and got the gift card.

A retailer bundles free items (gift cards with iPods and Kohls cash with overpriced clothing) as an alternative to a straight discount. You don't get to keep the free item and get a full store credit to use at a time when the store is offering a discount instead including free items.

Kohls has too many pricing games. Kohls cash vs discounts vs discount if you only use a Kohls credit card. Mark up the stuff just before a sale so they can illustrate a larger discount. I know other stores do the same but I don't recall any other store marking up the "regular" price above whats considered full retail price.

edited to add.

Using the numbers offered by a PP. You can't walk into Kohls at a time when they're running the Kohls cash promotion, buy a $50 Kohls gift card and get $10 in Kohls cash. Letting you take the $50 return as a store credit, and keep the Kohls cash, would be the same as letting you skip the return step and buy a $50 Kohls gift card.

 

[mousedreamer]

Kohl's constant games and fake deals drive me crazy. "you saved $200 dollars today "
Please! That's just crazy! I loved JC Penney's square deal advertisement! Yet it wasn't successful, so I guess I was in the minority. I try to avoid Kohl's because it is so irritating.Though the stores are nice and comfortable the clothing quality is lacking! I avoid it like the plague.
Go Target,

 

[maxiesmom]

Kohl's constant games and fake deals drive me crazy. "you saved $200 dollars today "
Please! That's just crazy! I loved JC Penney's square deal advertisement! Yet it wasn't successful, so I guess I was in the minority. I try to avoid Kohl's because it is so irritating.Though the stores are nice and comfortable the clothing quality is lacking! I avoid it like the plague.
Go Target,

Ever try to return something at Target without a receipt? Outside of the stated return time limit? Good luck. Every store has their issues. You just have to be aware of what they are, and able to work with them.

 

[cornflake]

Kohls does. They give you the choice of an in store credit. It is never the only choice, unless that is what you spent in the first place. Or you don't have a receipt. I'm not sure why some posters are speaking as if it is the only choice you get and it is forced on you.

And Kohls is the only store out there who will take stuff back without a receipt, with no question. And no time limits. Try doing that anywhere else and see what you get.

Really? Try it at Nordstrom's, and you'll get a smiling, helpful associate processing your return. They'll take back stuff they don't even sell.

Try it at Neiman's, Bloomie's, and you'll likely get a store credit. Try it at LL Bean.

Many stores are and have always been very invested in customer service. They also tend not to sell cheap crap at ridiculous markups.

 

[Lewisc]

Ever try to return something at Target without a receipt? Outside of the stated return time limit? Good luck. Every store has their issues. You just have to be aware of what they are, and able to work with them.

Target will lookup the receipt for you. I have no issue with their time limits. No reason why a store should offer any return on merchandise probably not bought from the store and/months ago.
I shop Costco. They have a legendary return policy. Doesn't change the fact the fact that I think Targets policy is fair and reasonable.

 

[4mousefans]

Before Christmas, I bought two $50 gift cards at Kohl's. It was during the Kohl's cash promotion, but these purchases were not eligible for Kohl's cash. I thought that was a bit odd, given that Kohl's already had my cash...it was money in the bank for them.

 

[leahjade]

If I got what the people seam to think is "fair":
Shoes returned for ticket price $50 + $10 Kohls Cash that I "deserve" are kept= -$60 that Kohls has now given me for purchasing the shoes and then returning them and they have lost $10.

Original poster here and I don't get your logic as to how Kohls is out $10. I spent $50 and exchanged sweater (via credit) so Kohls still has my $50 and I still have $50 worth of clothing but NOW I'm out the $10 Kohls cash. This policy makes no sense. I could understand if I returned all $50 for CASH or credit on my card but not for exchanging merchandise for merchandise!

 

[tikistitch]

Former Kohl's employee here, just got done working a seasonal position as a cashier. From what sense I can make of this policy, the best way I can explain it is if you had done an even exchange where you brought in an item and traded it for the exact same item in a different size, you would have kept the kohl's cash. But since you did not do item for item and a return of money went on a merchandise credit, our system won't let us apply the credit to you without first taking away your kohl's cash, since the $20 for the sweater on merchandise credit now brings your original total down to $30. Even if it's on a Kohl's use only merchandise credit, the system still views it as taking money away from the original transaction and giving money back to you. A merchandise credit isn't considered an exchange to Kohl's, it's only considered an exchange when you bring in an item and leave with another item in your hand. Ridiculous, I know. Essentially, it would have been better for you to just have gotten a different size shirt, even if it was the same style in a different color, than going for a merchandise credit. Then you could have gotten a gift receipt with that new sweater, and sent it along with the shirt in a package so he could have exchanged it himself. Personally I feel this new policy is too confusing to customers who are used to things being the old way, and it causes a whole lot of headaches for the cashiers that have to try and explain it to people, too! I'm sure if you called the store manager and brought this argument up with them, they would be able to do something. The store I was at, my store manager did for quite a few people who were upset with the new policy.

 

[Lewisc]

You have to stop thinking Kohls cash is some kind of cash. It's a discount on your current purchase, paid as a credit (kohs cash) you can use for a future purchase.

Original poster here and I don't get your logic as to how Kohls is out $10. I spent $50 and exchanged sweater (via credit) so Kohls still has my $50 and I still have $50 worth of clothing but NOW I'm out the $10 Kohls cash. This policy makes no sense. I could understand if I returned all $50 for CASH or credit on my card but not for exchanging merchandise for merchandise!

OK you bought your sweater during a 20% promotion (via kohls cash) You exchange it but the sale isn't running. Even exchange won't be an issue. Exchange it for a different style and you'll generally not get whatever discount which was in effect at the time of your original purchase. That includes a 20% Macy's store wide coupon or Kohls cash. Return and re-purchase (anything other then an even exchange/size issue) means you get back what you paid (less any discounts including losing Kohs cash) and you pay whatever the new items cost under whatever promotion, if any, is currently running.

edited to add. I suspect too many customers learned how to work the system and double up on discounts. Kohls is now enforcing policies that were always assumed when the program was developed. A system which leads customers to think they're being cheated, even when they're not, isn't a good system. Isn't a system which generates goodwill.

I wouldn't be surprised if the program is changed or discontinued.

PP mentioned a gift card. Store wide discounts, including Kohls cash, are rarely applicable to the purchase of gift cards. Instead the gift recipient gets whatever discounts are in effect when the card is used.