Nordstrom Return Policy Thread!!

[azureartist]

This is a big part of why they maintain a lax return policy. I don't know exact numbers, but I've been told returns do not lose the company much money at all once you factor in exchanges, customer loyalty and the returned items being sold at Nords Rack and Last Chance.

Personally, I think abusing the policy (returning used/well worn items etc) is wrong, but who am I to judge? Clearly people think I was in the wrong for getting my extra 20% back so...

Agree here too! For me - I think 5 months max is my comfort level for returning (all new/never worn with tags and invoice). I'm not criticizing others who go beyond it, but I don't have the cajones to go longer than that. Once it's worn...forget about returning unless it's defective. And even that I would leave to Nordie's discretion.

The other side of the coin is that sometimes you can find your Easter egg at the Rack...something that was sold out long ago, but returned and sent to the Rack.

 

[Morisa]

You returned the second one using the first invoice? So you used the item and bought another one, returning it with the first receipt? Don't they now have stickers on the price tag to prevent this? I don't think this is a proper use of a return policy.

I believe they only have stickers if the order is fulfilled at or by a store. That is, online orders don't have stickers unless it was shipped from a store.

 

[gottaluvmybags]

You said it urself that u want to return it for a cheaper price so yes that's obviously being cheap. Even if you claimed that you never used the sweater and you wanna return it for a cheaper price, that's still being cheap. I've seen it before, people will buy something at Nordstrom and all of a sudden, the price went down so they want to get it for a cheaper price now. Oh well you get what you pay for. Like I said, if you're not satisfied about ur sweater then return it.

Btw I'm not instigating. I'm not judging someone off the internet lol.

I don't think what Valentine is saying is being cheap... I would be upset too if I was her. Is it smarter to go buy one of the 20 sweaters left I the rack? It's not like it was 6 months later after she wore it a bunch of times - and knowing Valentines closet it would likely take her at least 6 months to get it into her rotation!

Why would you pay more - maybe you got it like that but most savvy shoppers do keep an eye out for prices... I do. For example the target/Neiman items were not supposed to go on sale, I bought my girls 2 dresses and 3 days later they go on sale 50% off and I have a coupon for 20%. If you think I sat at home saying "gosh it's great for all these other people to get such a great deal" you are wrong... I didn't wait until they went on sale because I was told they wouldn't, so when they did I went and returned the unworn dresses and repurchased at a cheaper price because I am smarter than that.

Also there is a HUGE difference between being cheap and being the type of person who works the system... I am cheap in a way -I don't pay retail unless I have to have whatever it is... Which is about 50% of my stuff, but that doesn't mean I'm one of the people who abuse the policy, those people are just cheats.

 

[gottaluvmybags]

I also only but at Nordies because if their return policy coupled with the benefits. I also have to return a lot because I don't get to try on with my 1 yr old so I normally purchase and return all in the same week. My kids also have fabric allergies, so some things have to get returned after they try on at home after school.

 

[whimsicaldiva]

You returned the second one using the first invoice? So you used the item and bought another one, returning it with the first receipt? Don't they now have stickers on the price tag to prevent this? I don't think this is a proper use of a return policy.

Judge me all you want, but I returned an unused item in the original packaging. I'm sorry I don't stack up well against your yardstick of conscientiousness, but not to put too fine a point on it, I couldn't care less.

Nordstrom have a no questions asked return policy and even accept returns when the tag isn't attached or when the item has obviously been used. Why would they raise a rumpus if someone returned unopened, unused merchandise? I'd be an absolute fool not to take advantage of a return policy which'll save me $600. Like I've already mentioned, the return policy is self-defeating. Either they should price adjust or else enforce a time limit for returns. Otherwise, people will continue to use it to their advantage. And rightly so. I don't see taking advantage of a policy as tantamount to necessarily abusing it. Of course, there are various instances of abuses, especially when people return used merchandise, or merchandise which they've sabotaged, but returning unused stuff hardly counts as abusing the system. Feel free to judge me.

 

[whimsicaldiva]

I also only but at Nordies because if their return policy coupled with the benefits.

Quite.

I too almost exclusively shop for clothes at Nordstrom.

Look, they are a business, and you can bet your bottom dollar they won't persist with their return policy if they're actually losing money. They're not, which is why they are so lenient about returns. They enjoy customer loyalty into the bargain, so it's a win-win for them. The only one who I can see as being served poorly by this policy is an unsuspecting customer who might wind up with the returned merchandise. There have been many a time when something I've bought didn't look brand new, or was missing a tag, or was crumpled, and if I really liked the piece, I've ended up keeping it. Big deal. Not everyone's very pernickety about these little things.

Just to be clear - I'm absolutely NOT being an apologist for those who abuse the return policy and I have personally myself NEVER returned used merchandise, only I don't see returning unopened, unused merchandise in the original condition and packaging as abuse. Nordstrom needn't have to price-match multiple times, but doing it once won't go amiss. Or else they leave customers with no choice but to return and re-buy. As a customer I don't OWE a business anything, and I'm well within my rights to use their business model to my utmost advantage. Judging people who look for the best deal is almost akin to judging people who wait for the sales, or judging people for wanting to save money at all, which is a shockingly snobbish thing to do.

 

[gottaluvmybags]

Quite.

I too almost exclusively shop for clothes at Nordstrom.

Look, they are a business, and you can bet your bottom dollar they won't persist with their return policy if they're actually losing money. They're not, which is why they are so lenient about returns. They enjoy customer loyalty into the bargain, so it's a win-win for them. The only one who I can see as being served poorly by this policy is an unsuspecting customer who might wind up with the returned merchandise. There have been many a time when something I've bought didn't look brand new, or was missing a tag, or was crumpled, and if I really liked the piece, I've ended up keeping it. Big deal. Not everyone's very pernickety about these little things.

Just to be clear - I'm absolutely NOT being an apologist for those who abuse the return policy and I have personally myself NEVER returned used merchandise, only I don't see returning unopened, unused merchandise in the original condition and packaging as abuse. Nordstrom needn't have to price-match multiple times, but doing it once won't go amiss. Or else they leave customers with no choice but to return and re-buy. As a customer I don't OWE a business anything, and I'm well within my rights to use their business model to my utmost advantage. Judging people who look for the best deal is almost akin to judging people who wait for the sales, or judging people for wanting to save money at all, which is a shockingly snobbish thing to do.

I once bought a Herve Leger dress that had been returned... Only the one I bought was fake and didn't match the description on the tag at all.

Silver lining... Using the sku I was able to find the real thing in MY size!

Also keep in mind their stuff is MARKED UP - way up so they still make money at the rack and their final chance sale off of used and refurbed merchandise- their business model is obviously working.

 

[CCmoiselleCC]

If someone is unhappy with something and wants to return it and Nordstrom accepts the return then I don't see a problem with returning something used. I am sure they "damage" the item out and don't put it back on the shelf.

As far as price adjustments this is ALWAYS acceptable in my book. If you are too lazy to ask for it that's your fault. I work hard for my money and if I can get some of it back I will. But I know some people are just handed things their whole life and then just hand it back to retailers. if that's what they like to do fine. But I'd rather make a charitable contribution to a charity than to a retailer that's profiting off you.

 

[DC-Cutie]

If someone is unhappy with something and wants to return it and Nordstrom accepts the return then I don't see a problem with returning something used. I am sure they "damage" the item out and don't put it back on the shelf. .

Excessive returns and abuse of the return policy is a bigger issue, than a return here and there

 

[BeenBurned]

If someone is unhappy with something and wants to return it and Nordstrom accepts the return then I don't see a problem with returning something used. I am sure they "damage" the item out and don't put it back on the shelf.

And who do you think pays for the loss Nordies takes when they 'damage' items out?

 

[ValentineNicole]

And who do you think pays for the loss Nordies takes when they 'damage' items out?

Who do you think suffers if they buy a defective product? Most things Nordstrom carries are wonderful, but one time i think about 5 years ago, my mother bought a MJ purse (for over $1000), and it broke on the first or second use. The strap just snapped. And my mom is hardly one to overstuff her purse. She's the most organized and put-together woman I know.

You better believe she exchanged it! It's ridiculous to assume otherwise! Why should someone lose $$$ on an item that is defective? Damaging out items that are truly damaged is a fee a store SHOULD pay. Besides, Nordstrom refurbishes most damaged items and resells them at the rack.

I run a business. Sure, it's not fun to get returns, but it's better than losing a customer by a long shot. Even on a no returns item, I will do everything I can to make a customer happy. Nordstroms policy is that way for a reason. They have the most loyal cult-like following of any department store because of it.

 

[BeenBurned]

If someone is unhappy with something and wants to return it and Nordstrom accepts the return then I don't see a problem with returning something used. I am sure they "damage" the item out and don't put it back on the shelf.

And who do you think pays for the loss Nordies takes when they 'damage' items out?

Who do you think suffers if they buy a defective product? Most things Nordstrom carries are wonderful, but one time i think about 5 years ago, my mother bought a MJ purse (for over $1000), and it broke on the first or second use. The strap just snapped. And my mom is hardly one to overstuff her purse. She's the most organized and put-together woman I know.

You better believe she exchanged it! It's ridiculous to assume otherwise! Why should someone lose $$$ on an item that is defective? Damaging out items that are truly damaged is a fee a store SHOULD pay. Besides, Nordstrom refurbishes most damaged items and resells them at the rack.

I run a business. Sure, it's not fun to get returns, but it's better than losing a customer by a long shot. Even on a no returns item, I will do everything I can to make a customer happy. Nordstroms policy is that way for a reason. They have the most loyal cult-like following of any department store because of it.

We're talking apples and oranges. I'm not talking about legitimate defective merchandise. If an item is defective, it SHOULD be returned and the merchant should return it to the manufacturer for credit.

My comment was in response to CCmoiselleCC who rationalized that USED items that are returned won't be resold as new, but instead will be damaged out. The implication is that it's okay to return used items and she said nothing about them being defective.

No one will argue that a defective item shouldn't be returned or exchanged. But to use items then return them with normal wear and tear is wrong.

 

[AChanelADay]

why are people here trying to shame people? do you work for Nordstrom? why are you pressed?

 

[CCmoiselleCC]

Taking returns, damaging out items,etc are part of the cost of running a business. Nordstrom prices are 99% of the time set by the Brand. Have you ever see an original retail price different at Nordstrom than say Saks? No. They expect returns which is why things are marked up. Which is why if I want to return something there - I will. If you don't agree then don't do it. But seeing as they are accepting my returns then that is in within scope of their policy and I see nothing wrong with it. And clearly they don't either bc they are accepting it. I'm not abusing this policy and there probably are some people that do----that's the sales associates and managements responsibility to identify. Not anyone here.

 

[ValentineNicole]

We're talking apples and oranges. I'm not talking about legitimate defective merchandise. If an item is defective, it SHOULD be returned and the merchant should return it to the manufacturer for credit.

My comment was in response to CCmoiselleCC who rationalized that USED items that are returned won't be resold as new, but instead will be damaged out. The implication is that it's okay to return used items and she said nothing about them being defective.

No one will argue that a defective item shouldn't be returned or exchanged. But to use items then return them with normal wear and tear is wrong.

I misunderstood and I apologize. I would never advocate someone returning good merchandise that they used but are simply bored of or regret. That's no better than using Nordstrom as a free clothing rental for events.

I assumed any returns discussed were defective merchandise or poor quality or similar.