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Post by Outspoken on Aug 14, 2014 14:56:36 GMT
The used shoes thread had some comments about what crazy things people return for refunds (like cheese  ) and it jarred my memory. My my mother used to work in the jewelry (costume) section of a large department store. She used to come home and tell stories of crazy things that customers ask for and/or do. I know - retail brings out some good ones! Anyway, people (as in more than one) have tried to return ONE earring because THEY lost the mate! Also, many people have returned necklaces and bracelets because after "not taking it off for 6 months" it turned. I once purchased a very very large wall canvas from Hobby Lobby when it was on sale. When I got it home, I noticed it was damaged along the edge. It was still wrapped with corner protection. I drive a large SUV and placed it flat in the back. I am most certain that I did NOT damage it. However, when I returned it, the manager actually accused me damaging it myself. I was about to create a scene in their store, and they decided to take it back. |
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eastcoastpea
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,252
Jun 27, 2014 13:05:28 GMT
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Post by eastcoastpea on Aug 14, 2014 15:08:56 GMT
People can definitely be bold. You've got to wonder what these people are like in their daily lives.
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freebird
Drama Llama
'cause I'm free as a bird now
Posts: 6,927 
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Post by freebird on Aug 14, 2014 15:15:10 GMT
I had trouble at hobby lobby once too. I bought some masking fluid (watercolor painting) in a tube. When I got it home it was hard as a rock. It was expensive too, I think I spent like $20 on this stupid bottle. Well, apparently there are codes on the tags with dates of when they went into stock and this was really old (probably why it was dried up). The manager had to come over to approve it, and he even went back to the art department because "he'd never heard of it" before. Are you a watercolorist? Ok then. They all but accused me of having it for years and then returning it.
My response was "why do you have stock on your shelf for sale that's years and years old?"
I did get my refund but I won't buy that product there again. In fact, I open that kind of stuff to check before I buy it.
I used to have a retail store (craft mall) and had to have a return policy changed because of ppl trying to return stuff months later. Dude, I'm not walmart.
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Post by brina on Aug 14, 2014 15:15:41 GMT
The one I remember best I was working at Coach back when they had three stores. It was the week after Christmas and it was crazy with people returning gifts that were not the bag that they wanted and redeeming gift certificates. One woman came in with a bag saying that it had been a gift but it was not the one she wanted so she wanted to exchange it. First clue, the bag was in the wrong box. We had very struck guidelines about which bag was packed in which box and this bag was jammed into a too small box. it would not have left the store that way. Second, there was a patina on the bag. The glove tanned cowhide that all Coach bags were made from back then would get a slightly shiny 'glow' from the oils in your hands and rubbing against your body as you walked. The outside pocket was also stretched out. Finally, there were tobacco crumbs in the bottom on the bag. She kept insisting that it was brand new and demanding an exchange. I handed her over to the manager.
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stepht5
Shy Member
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Post by stepht5 on Aug 14, 2014 15:22:02 GMT
When my daughter worked at Gap a woman wanted to return a pair of pleather pants. My daughter informed her that she couldn't take them back because they were obviously worn and used. The woman threw a fit and demanded the manager. Said she had never worn the pants, they must have been like this when she bought them, etc.....
The manager accepted the return. When my daughter went through the pockets she found money. I believe it was a $20. My daughter then said "this must be my money since you didn't wear the pants." Hahahahahaha
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 16, 2024 21:42:02 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2014 15:28:14 GMT
I understand about stores having to crack down on return items and all but I hate the way they are handling it. I feel like a felon every time I have to return something.
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anniebygaslight
Drama Llama
I'd love a cup of tea. #1966
Posts: 7,395
Location: Third Rock from the sun.
Jun 28, 2014 14:08:19 GMT
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Post by anniebygaslight on Aug 14, 2014 15:30:38 GMT
When I was at school I had a Saturday job in a Shoe Shop (Freeman Hardy and Willis for the UK peas). People regularly returned shoes that they had clearly bought for one occasion, such as a wedding. They would return them, and the little indentations and scratches in the sole gave the game away, as would the smell of the Cif they had used to clean them.
It is not uncommon nowadays for people to buy high end clothes for a specific occasion, leave all the tags in place, and return them, stinking of perfume, deodorant, fags and BO, after one wearing. The practice has a name, but can't remember what it is. I call it dishonest.
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Post by bianca42 on Aug 14, 2014 15:30:56 GMT
My Dad works at Tractor Supply. Someone returned a bunny rabbit because it died.
customer: I need my money back because the bunny died.
dad: What did you feed it?
customer: the food that came with the cage.
dad: The cage doesn't come with any food.
customer: yes it does. I can show you.
So, she walked over and showed my dad the package of bedding that comes with the cage...the bag said "bedding" in pretty clear letters. She only "fed" the poor little bunny bedding...and yet she still demanded her money back.
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Post by Jennifer C on Aug 14, 2014 15:35:26 GMT
My mother works in a grocery store.
She had a newlywed couple try to return several roasts at different times. The wife was learning to cook and wanted refunds if the roast didn't come out right because it was expensive to buy roasts. Some were burnt, tough or just not tasting right. She didn't holler or raise her voice, but she cried and was just down on herself every time she wanted a refund. And my Mom always told her no. This happened on a regular basis for a while.
My Mom finally wrote her detailed instruction on how my Mom cooks a roast on the stove top.
That young couple have teenagers now and the lady still makes my Mom's roast for her family.
But with my Mom working in a grocery store, boy does she have stories to tell.
Jennifer
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Post by rumplesnat on Aug 14, 2014 15:45:42 GMT
Out of high school, I worked at the retuns desk at Builders Square, a hardware store like Lowes or Home Depot.
The shit people would return blew my mind.
Old, nasty wooden broken toilet seat. So old the varnish had peeled off and the hardware was green and tarnished. I about lost my shit when the customer put it up on the desk.
A tire. Someone actually rolled in a tire to try to get money back for it. We were a HARDWARE store. No tires in stock. Ever.
A Craftsman toolbox. Craftsman. Only sold at Sears.
I really despise working the public, mainly because of my past jobs in retail. Kudos to those who work retail day in and day out. I give you credit. The customer is NOT always right. Not even most of the time.
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SweetieBsMom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,634
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Post by SweetieBsMom on Aug 14, 2014 15:47:49 GMT
I have a friend who worked at Home Depot years ago. They sell Christmas trees. Every year, after Christmas, people would haul the dead trees back to Home Depot and want their money back because they died. AND they would refund them their money. It would drive my friend NUTS because 99% of the time there was tinsle still on the tree.
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Post by stampinbetsy on Aug 14, 2014 15:49:07 GMT
When I worked for Petsmart, we would have people bring in things they obviously bought somewhere else. We could take them, but a manager would have to determine value. Or they'd bring it in with a receipt from Petco. I'd tell them I could return it, but they'd probably get all their money if they just went to Petco.
And then there's the people who would buy a fish and leave it in the car while they finished shopping elsewhere.
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Post by mrsscrapdiva on Aug 14, 2014 15:55:49 GMT
I worked at Filenes and Macy's. People would always try to return stuff that wasn't even from there (worse after Christmas). I also had people returned obviously used costume jewelry. Worse was worn pantyhose because they had a run in them. Gross.
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Post by melanell on Aug 14, 2014 16:34:02 GMT
Oh my gosh...I worked retail selling things for the home when I was younger and my gosh the list of crazy returns I could provide is funny, shocking, and down right gross!
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Post by papersilly on Aug 14, 2014 17:31:34 GMT
this is why I hate shopping Best Buy. they have no problem putting returned items back on the shelf. boxes that are banged up, taped up, or hardly have any inside packaging left. I hate spending the extra time making sure the item I want has not been returned.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 16, 2024 21:42:02 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2014 17:34:30 GMT
I used to work in a lingerie shop, people would actually return pants that had obviously been worn and not washed and expect their money back. The manager called them 'snail trail' returns.  |
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Post by padresfan619 on Aug 14, 2014 17:36:16 GMT
I worked at several different clothing stores during college. My favorite story was when I was working at Old Navy and a woman came in to return at least three large bags of baby boy clothes. After about ten items I asked her if there was something wrong with the stuff and she said "Yea, The ultrasound tech said it was a boy but we ended up with a girl!"
Luckily her friends and family gave her lots of gift receipts but man was it a process to get all of it returned.
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Post by tuva42 on Aug 14, 2014 17:37:23 GMT
I once bought a replacement remote control for our TV at Walmart. I didn't notice that the packaging that it came in was a bit messed up until I opened it at home. The remote worked fine so we kept it. The next day I noticed that our dog wouldn't leave it alone. And I kept smelling a weird smell. Finally, sniffed the remote. IT SMELLED LIKE CAT PEE!!! Who returns a remote control after their cat pees on it!?!?! I took it back to Walmart, and yup, they threw it back in the bin to be reshelved.
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julieb
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,845
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Post by julieb on Aug 14, 2014 17:48:06 GMT
Half the stuff in Hobby Lobby is already damaged!  A few weeks ago, in Sam's Club, someone returned a bag of rolls. I questioned the salesperson about it, saying that I thought it was odd. And she replied that they were a couple of weeks old! They had to take them back. Crazy stuff people do for $3.49. |
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Post by bc2ca on Aug 14, 2014 18:00:12 GMT
What a great mix of stories - some funny, some outrageous My mom worked retail too, and her biggest problem was people trying to return stolen goods. They'd buy an item to get a receipt, then come back to the store with the receipt and bag and take a new item (same item, size & color) off the shelf, put it in the bag and return it! This was before security cameras were widely used, but the employees & security knew who was doing this, it just took time to catch them in the act. I did feel guilty returning DS's well worn & abused backpack to Costco when the zipper broke, but the associate had told me to return it next time I came in when I asked if they still had any in stock. He said it should have lasted longer the 6 months, which is true, but DS has a special ability to wear things out way ahead of schedule. |
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Post by Bitchy Rich on Aug 14, 2014 18:03:33 GMT
She had a newlywed couple try to return several roasts at different times. The wife was learning to cook and wanted refunds if the roast didn't come out right because it was expensive to buy roasts. Some were burnt, tough or just not tasting right. She didn't holler or raise her voice, but she cried and was just down on herself every time she wanted a refund. And my Mom always told her no. This happened on a regular basis for a while. That is the strangest return story I've ever heard! Weird enough that she thought she could do it once, but to go on and try it multiple times?? |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 16, 2024 21:42:02 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2014 18:04:06 GMT
We get people trying to return items that we sell but they admit they bought it somewhere else. Or they want advice on troubleshooting it. WTH? If you didn't buy it with us we can't help you. Also we aren't the manufacturer. If you have problems call HP or Samsung, etc. people are weird.
We have records of every order and will not take returns if you didn't buy it with us. Lol.
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Post by Bitchy Rich on Aug 14, 2014 18:05:20 GMT
I already commented on the shoe post, but I'll repeat it here. My coworker's husband bought several blocks of cheese for a graduation party. He then found a cheaper price at another grocery store, so he wanted to return all the cheese he bought. I think that is so selfish. I told her to tell him the store would be required to throw away the cheese, as they would not be allowed to sell food that was returned. Her husband is a jerk.
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Post by lbp on Aug 14, 2014 18:09:45 GMT
My first public job was with Sears customer service. This was in 1978 and an elderly couple came in with their radio they purchased in 1947, with the receipt and asked for a replacement. They had with them their warranty that stated the radio had a lifetime warranty with a free replacement.
Sears honored that warranty and gave the couple a brand new stereo system! It was really cool! They were very happy with their new "radio".
My husbands grandmother was legendary about returning groceries if she didn't like the taste. Buy a new cereal, doesn't like it, takes it back.
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Aug 14, 2014 18:11:37 GMT
When I was at school I had a Saturday job in a Shoe Shop (Freeman Hardy and Willis for the UK peas). People regularly returned shoes that they had clearly bought for one occasion, such as a wedding. They would return them, and the little indentations and scratches in the sole gave the game away, as would the smell of the Cif they had used to clean them. It is not uncommon nowadays for people to buy high end clothes for a specific occasion, leave all the tags in place, and return them, stinking of perfume, deodorant, fags and BO, after one wearing. The practice has a name, but can't remember what it is. I call it dishonest. That's gross. I wonder how they wear an item with all the tags still on and not have them show. |
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Aug 14, 2014 18:12:30 GMT
My Dad works at Tractor Supply. Someone returned a bunny rabbit because it died. customer: I need my money back because the bunny died. dad: What did you feed it? customer: the food that came with the cage. dad: The cage doesn't come with any food. customer: yes it does. I can show you. So, she walked over and showed my dad the package of bedding that comes with the cage...the bag said "bedding" in pretty clear letters. She only "fed" the poor little bunny bedding...and yet she still demanded her money back.  That's horrible! |
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Aug 14, 2014 18:15:33 GMT
I used to work in a lingerie shop, people would actually return pants that had obviously been worn and not washed and expect their money back. The manager called them 'snail trail' returns.  |
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Post by alibama on Aug 14, 2014 18:18:37 GMT
My Dad works at Tractor Supply. Someone returned a bunny rabbit because it died. customer: I need my money back because the bunny died. dad: What did you feed it? customer: the food that came with the cage. dad: The cage doesn't come with any food. customer: yes it does. I can show you. So, she walked over and showed my dad the package of bedding that comes with the cage...the bag said "bedding" in pretty clear letters. She only "fed" the poor little bunny bedding...and yet she still demanded her money back. Oh my that is so sad. What a total idiot!  |
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Post by red88 on Aug 14, 2014 18:19:37 GMT
My son works for Best Buy & the only items they return to floor are items that are checked out by Geek Squad & put in the "open box" area. I've made several electronic purchases (computers) this way. I've saved a ton of money. He said 99% of the time, it's user error, but they can't put an item out as new once it is returned. If you ask for open box they'll direct you. If not, they are not all that easy to find. Usually at the end of an isle in a locked glass case. Now...if you shop at Fred Meyer, they will take anything back! My DIL works there in apparel, & yes, they had to accept a return on used underwear w/ obvious "dirt" marks. It's so gross! Not even washed & no questions asked!
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sharlag
Drama Llama
I like my artsy with a little bit of fartsy.
Posts: 6,574
Location: Kansas
Jun 26, 2014 12:57:48 GMT
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Post by sharlag on Aug 14, 2014 18:23:39 GMT
This thread is hilarious.  |
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) and it jarred my memory. 
