Banned from making too many returns? - Share your experiences!

[Tamarind]

I disagree. I think that most of us are picky and hard to fit to a certain extent. Clothes have to fit to look right. And it is not always possible to shop at a brick and mortar store. Companies that want to sell clothes on line let customers "try on" in this manner, precisely because they don't have fitting rooms online. Without a liberal return policy, they would not be able to sell many things that have to fit.

It does cost the companies for shipping and processing return. But they also don't have to pay for a space and maintain a brick and mortar store and fitting room and pay people to staff the stores. And they can reach many more customers online. That is a trade-off for them.

I don't think that ordering the same dress in a size 0 and 2 and then returning one and keeping the other makes me look like a reseller. In fact, for places like shopbop that don't charge for return shipping, it is more economical for them if I order two sizes and return one, than if I order one, return it, then order the next size up or down. In the first case they only have to ship it to me once.

I have not been banned, and i think it's because stores realize I am not a reseller. Resellers have to buy a lot more than I do. And I would venture a guess they are not only buying 0s and 2's.

You shouldn't being using an online store as if its a virtual fitting room. If you are picky or hard to fit, you should be buying at brick and mortar stores only.

Another thing, if you are buying multiple sizes of the same item and then returning most of them, you look like a reseller that is returning unsold inventory, another reason ban letters happen.

 

[BerryWriter]

I disagree. I think that most of us are picky and hard to fit to a certain extent. Clothes have to fit to look right. And it is not always possible to shop at a brick and mortar store. Companies that want to sell clothes on line let customers "try on" in this manner, precisely because they don't have fitting rooms online. Without a liberal return policy, they would not be able to sell many things that have to fit.

It does cost the companies for shipping and processing return. But they also don't have to pay for a space and maintain a brick and mortar store and fitting room and pay people to staff the stores. And they can reach many more customers online. That is a trade-off for them.

Um really? What about Nordies, NM, Bloomies, and all the other brick and mortar stores that also do online sales? They have all those expenses so there is no trade off for them.

 

[Tamarind]

Um really? What about Nordies, NM, Bloomies, and all the other brick and mortar stores that also do online sales? They have all those expenses so there is no trade off for them.

Sure, they have expenses for operating those stores for selling to customers who can get there, but they also sell to other people online, and reach more customers than they would if they only sold in the stores. Clearly it's a profitable business or else they wouldn't be in it. There are customers they reach who can't get to their stores. So they don't have store expenses for reaching that customer base, e.g. they don't have to have stores in all fifty states and yet they can sell to customers in all those states.

 

[windy]

I have never been banned from a store from returning, but I received a threatening letter from returning QVC years ago saying I had too many returns to them. I was so mad I sent them a letter and told them I was voluntarily requesting they close my account and they did. I think I insulted them because I told them their name stood for Quality, Value, and Commitment, but value was questionable. I pointed out that their "value" was not impressive as I kept seeing their merchandise showing up at TJ Maxx (exp.- sterling silver watches exclusive to them) and offered at less than half of what they charged as a "Today's Special Value". I suppose that ticked them off even more.

 

[jimmyshoogirl]

I have a friend that returns everything- even things bought from the store! She can never make a decisive decision. So frustrating.

I would hate to be an SA working on commission dealing with someone that always returns.

I would imagine it would be hard for a store to know what their bottom line is with returns rolling in non-stop.

 

[Cait]

I think I've exchanged 2 or 3 things in my lifetime - a dress I bought at a B&M store in a size bigger because they only had 3 of this dress left. I went to the location by my school, found it in my size, and brought the NWT dress in for an exchange. Really, it was my own laziness - I was too damn lazy to go to another mall during the Christmas season to find this dress. Another time it was a top I loved, showed to my cousin, received as a birthday gift 2 weeks later - but had already bought for myself.

The way I see it, if I buy something at a B&M (online is a different story) I could've easily tried on, and it doesn't work - lump it or leave it. It's the same with cosmetics - I was frankly, amazed when I was told by a beauty girl at my local Shoppers' I could return my LRP cleanser for a full-refund in 30 days with a receipt. It's nice to know I could, but I'd be embarassed to come in with used cosmetics the way I've seen some in Sephora do, and demand my money back. I know they damage these things out, but that's going a little too far. At the same token, it would help if counter people were more generous with samples, and if testers were readily available in all locations. (Fellow customers: that does not give you carte blanche to make your own testers)

 

[Esmerelda]

I purchase a lot from Amazon but also return a lot, largely because I receive books that are in less-than-stellar condition, and if I'm purchasing "new", I naturally expect to receive a book in actually "new" condition. Still, I wonder if Amazon is keeping an eye on me as a result ...

I used to order quite a lot of bags from Amazon but had to return most of them. Their packaging is almost non existant and I have received so many bags that have been damaged in transit I hardly ever order anything from them now.

 

[Morisa]

I used to order quite a lot of bags from Amazon but had to return most of them. Their packaging is almost non existant and I have received so many bags that have been damaged in transit I hardly ever order anything from them now.

Were the bags sold directly from Amazon or were they from a third-party seller? I've gotten two bags directly from Amazon and did not have any problems with how they were packaged.

 

[merekat703]

I think I've exchanged 2 or 3 things in my lifetime - a dress I bought at a B&M store in a size bigger because they only had 3 of this dress left. I went to the location by my school, found it in my size, and brought the NWT dress in for an exchange. Really, it was my own laziness - I was too damn lazy to go to another mall during the Christmas season to find this dress. Another time it was a top I loved, showed to my cousin, received as a birthday gift 2 weeks later - but had already bought for myself.

The way I see it, if I buy something at a B&M (online is a different story) I could've easily tried on, and it doesn't work - lump it or leave it. It's the same with cosmetics - I was frankly, amazed when I was told by a beauty girl at my local Shoppers' I could return my LRP cleanser for a full-refund in 30 days with a receipt. It's nice to know I could, but I'd be embarassed to come in with used cosmetics the way I've seen some in Sephora do, and demand my money back. I know they damage these things out, but that's going a little too far. At the same token, it would help if counter people were more generous with samples, and if testers were readily available in all locations. (Fellow customers: that does not give you carte blanche to make your own testers)

I totally agree! Thats why I shop with Sephora because I can try things before committing to them and there have been many times that I am too sensitive to a product that if I had the full prices products I'd have to return them so sampling helps me commit without the hassle of returns. Often I have asked for a sample of perfume at the Macy's counter and the SA have flat out said No, or acted offended and once told me that samples only came with purchases. So my migraine sensitive head went elsewhere shopping.

 

[pinkfeet]

I've actually had many Nordstrom salespeople tell me to order both sizes ( when they don't have them in stock) and try them on and return the one that doesn't fit.

They tell me this all the time! So obviously it's only some store, a reseller buys more than I do and in more sizes than I ever would. Also your history would be a red flag as well.

Resellers buy many different things, most customers ( unless its holiday season or buying random gifts) have a trend to their shopping : sizes, brands, style etc.

 

[Esmerelda]

Were the bags sold directly from Amazon or were they from a third-party seller? I've gotten two bags directly from Amazon and did not have any problems with how they were packaged.

All of them were sold by Amazon. This was the last bag I ordered from them, no packaging at all. The buckle on the strap had scratched the bag in a few places. Amazon paid my return postage, but I can't understand how anyone could just put a bag in a box like that. Sorry if this is a bit off topic.

http://galaxy4.net/zelda/Amazon.jpg

 

[bumble1]

Can anyone speak to the current state of Nordstrom's legendary return policy? I've been a Level 3 customer for the last three years and both buy and return a lot. My local stores don't have the greatest selection so in order to see various designer items in person I have to order them online or from other stores. Clearly, I'm keeping enough merchandise to maintain an L3 status, but I do bring back a lot of what I buy (always unused, with receipt, and usually within a decent time frame). I would hate to be viewed as an abuser of the system and am planning to try to order less in the future. In the meantime, should I be worried about getting banned?

 

[supersweet]

Wow, I buy and return a lot of items online mainly because sizing & fit is variable, I need to see how the item looks on my body, items look different to photos, quality not that good or just change my mind. Also I need time to decide whether the item is right for me. I do keep a fair number, but I only want to keep items that really work for me and I will really use. Also I am afraid items I like will sell out so I buy like crazy.

 

[Kleio]

He he, I just got an email from Amazon.com noting that I had made a substantial number of returns recently (all books).

Hello,

Your order history shows that you've returned an unusually high number of the purchases you've made from Amazon.com. We welcome returns when orders don't work out.

If you have suggestions about how we can reduce the number of orders you need to return on a regular basis, please send your comments to [email protected].

When unusual account activity such as this comes to our attention, we'll evaluate each account on a case-by-case basis to determine if additional action or closing of the account is necessary. We’d prefer to work with you to avoid the high number of returns because we do value your business.

We appreciate your cooperation and understanding.

Best regards,

Account Specialist.
Amazon.com

Anyone know if this means I'll be getting a follow-up email? Anyway, I can't imagine that they would actually close my account, since while I admittedly am a picky buyer (as others have noted, Amazon.com's packaging is almost completely nonexistent, so I frequently get items arriving in less-than-ideal condition), I'm hardly out to abuse the system. I guess I'll be more discreet with my returns now in the future ...

 

[ms-whitney]

^why don't you just let them know? they're clearly asking why

say it is because the packaging is less then stellar and the items arrive not in the perfect condition it should have

otherwise they'd think you're a fast reader and just out to buy, read and return (or buy, xerox copy and return if you're not a fast reader)