What are your views about shopping stores who do not offer refund or exchanges?

United States
May 31, 2011 9:52pm CST
Now a days most department stores (well big ones) offer a refund or exchange policy encase we splurge while going shopping and turns out we don't like the outfit, doesn't fit (cause' we didn't try it out prior to buying it), went home didn't look nice with what you wanted to wear with it or whatever the reason is but what if you go to a store or little boutique without a return policy, Would you buy stuff you can't return? Me, I always shop in areas where you can return because I change my mind often.. I see it as big department stores who offer refunds sometimes go bankrupt cause anyone can return and it's a huge gap like 3 months but smaller boutiques have a pro that they're guaranteed the money cause no refunds/exchanges but not a lot of people are attracted of the slogan... no refunds/exchange. Do you shop in areas that allow exchanges or shops that don't? What's your preference??
2 people like this
17 responses
• United States
5 Jun 11
I hate it when I see a big sign stating that there are refunds or exchanges, I mean why do some stores have to be like that. I don't think it's fair that if I don't want something, because I realized that it doesn't look great or I bought the wrong size, and I have to keep it. Which means that I basically wasted money.
1 person likes this
@moneyin6 (14)
1 Jun 11
It is nice to be able to return the items that do not work for you. However, many people abuse the option. Many people buy things out of impulse and after trying it out, decide they do not want it anymore. Because they have the option of returning the product, they do not think things through before buying the item. This will cause problem with the store. Many items are not resellable after being returned and the store loses money because of that. Also it would not be fair for the other customers because they could be getting a used item without knowing it. I love the idea of refunds at stores and wishes that people would shop consider more carefully even through they have the option to return.
@asliah (11137)
• Philippines
27 Jun 11
hi, of course yes,i will only go to those department stores who can allow refund and exchanges,before i will buy that thing in department store,i will ask first the sales lady if their store are allowed for refund and exchanges,and i will only depend to the their answer.
@gmkumar08 (396)
• India
1 Jun 11
Customer satisfaction must be the primary concern for every shop/store.If any store refuses to refund/exchange,then i think it's not advisable to shop from it anymore because this action of them shows that only money is what they want,not our satisfaction.This is what i think.Cheers,..
1 person likes this
• United States
1 Jun 11
It is the product and my expectations of it that determine whether I think a shop should have that kind of guarantee. I frequent alot of secondhand shops that do not offer this service, but the price reflects that by being cheap enough that I don't feel I'm taking a big risk. I understand that many small stores cannot afford to risk major returns given their low profit margin. I still shop in these kinds of businesses, but I don't spend nearly as much in them as a percentage of my total shopping.
• India
1 Jun 11
I personally don't mind if there is no refund/exchange because I think like a ten times before buying something. I'm an avid online shopper and because I do a thorough research before buying anything online or even at shops, I have never had an issue of returning goods back to the seller. Thus, I don't care even if there is no refund/exchange because I buy only the best !!
• United States
5 Jun 11
i agree =)
@JoyfulOne (6232)
• United States
1 Jun 11
I always read the 'store policy' signs before I shop in a store. I wouldn't buy anything there unless I was absolutely sure that I wanted it, or if clothing, I tried it on first. For instance, I wouldn't buy a wedding or shower gift there, because if there were duplicates, I wouldn't be able to exchange it for something they did need. I have had that happen! Sometimes stores will have that kind of policy only on clearance items, but their price is usually marked down low enough it's worth it if I'm sure I want it. My preference is to only shop stores who have either a return policy that either has refunds, or exchanges available. While I can see the stores point on it, I think instead of not offering refunds or exchanges, they should limit the time when a consumer can make an exchange or get a refund. Haha, for Christmas, I got a sweater that was too small, pants that were too big, and sheets that didn't fit my bed...all unable to be exchanged because of the store my kids got them in!
• Australia
6 Jun 11
I think it's more understandable when it is a small business as you mentioned, the big department stores are making enough money to be able to return the items without it effecting their back pocket as it would in a small business. I think this should especially be the case, if the garment still has the tags on and doesn't have any visable damage. I can't say that it effects where i shop exacly more as how i shop i am more cautious because i went crazy 1 christmas returning presents that i splurged for everyone in the family on, then when i tried to return my brothers girl-friends $80 wallets like this is ridiculous.... and was disheartned when i was refused refund when i hadn't even left the shop, mainly they knew i seen cheaper/better buy elsewhere and didn't want to loose the business to anyone else and refused the refund. I did choose them for them but then thought it was over top, but couldn't exchange.
@myfb2009 (8296)
• Malaysia
1 Jun 11
From my own experience, i prefer to buy my clothes at shops that offer refund or exchange in return. Because we, the buyer will suffer loss if the item that we bought don't fit or not attractive for us to wear. Usually in my area, we are only allowed to do the exchange within 2 weeks time, in case we want to refund it. I discovered that some shops only allowed us to exchange for another same item with no refund of money. So, better check well their policy before buy any item from any shops.
@thanks1961 (7035)
• India
1 Jun 11
There may be occasion we are bound to do it. Mostly I feel that it is better to get a fit and suit well choice through proper measurements, if can't get exchanged. If we do remote purchase and shop and carry to far away places, it is difficult to get a turn to the same place again. So, ideally it's better to have proper choice and intelligent decision before get it billed. Thank-s
@ggeeta (154)
• India
1 Jun 11
I shop in those malls where they offer an exchange policy, I don't think many stores has the refund policy even if the material that you have purchased is broken or doesn't really fit in case of any household items. What they generally ask you is to exchange it for something else. I don't like to shop in those stores where they don't offer either of these, because sometimes it may so happen that we might have selected a wrong product and why should we pay for it?
• Philippines
1 Jun 11
return and exchange of goods is a law. i mean there is a law supporting it, giving the customers many rigts. this only ensures that what we get is the quality goods and the ones we prefer. but unfortunately, many people take advantage of this law for the self inflicted gain of the customers, which is difinitely wrong. now with regards to your query. i do not care actually where will i buy. because i will really insist on my right. i know my rights, they shoudl know theirs, too. just in case they do not, i think i should lecture them a bit.as a citizen of a state they should know all its laws. because in the eyes of the law no one is excuse. therefore ignorance of the law is definitely not an excuse to commit a crime..
@kumakuma (84)
• Malaysia
1 Jun 11
I don't really like it. Because if anythings happen to the stuff I can still change it according to the terms apply.
• United States
13 Jun 11
I personally don't mind shopping at department stores that only offer store credit for returns or at the smaller boutiques that don't offer refunds or exchanges at all. A lot of times those end up being the stores that have the best deals. I rarely ever return/exchange anything, although there have been instances where I was running short on time and ended up grabbing an item or two that I regretted buying later, but now, i'm always pretty cautious about what I purchase at stores that have strict return policies.
@ddaguno (3107)
• Philippines
1 Jun 11
isn't it illegal not to have a return policy? if it isnt then it should be. sometimes we buy stuff that have store defects and that should be a valid reason to return or exchange an item. i know some stores that do not allow returns but at least they have exchanges.
@rog0322 (2829)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
1 Jun 11
Hi infatuated, I once bought an item from a surplus store on computer parts and it turned that the HDD I got was defective. They would not want to have it back so I threatened them with the Consumer Welfare Act and going to the Department of Trade and Industry where my mentor happened to work. They gave in without further argument after that. Normally I don't return or exchange the product I bought unless it is very defective upon first use. Stores that are ignorant of the law should be slapped hard to make them aware of it.
@SIMPLYD (90727)
• Philippines
1 Jun 11
Here in our province and also in other parts of the country, the Dept. of Trade and Industry (DTI) monitors the way malls deals with returns. Hence, when you buy you have to keep the receipt, because in case the product doesn't fit you, you can have it exchanged for another. But the exchange should only be done within 5 days. At least, you were given enough time, in case you are a bit far from the mall.