What makes you decide to return an unwanted purchase? (refund, CostCo, stores)
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Today I received a cheap used book in the mail. I paid $3.14 total for the paperback, which was listed by the seller as being in very good condition. But when I got it, the spine was broken as the picture illustrates. I decided to return it for a refund. After all, it was not in the condition the seller described, and it could easily fall apart by my simply attempting to read it. However, some people think returning a $3 purchase is a waste of time. My sister and I used to refuse to return anything, no matter what the reason, but we've changed our minds over the years. There's no reason to keep things that are broken, defective, poor quality, or the wrong size if we can return them, even if they are very inexpensive.
So what makes you decide to return something? Is it dependent on how much you paid for the item, or the reason for the return? Or is it about how much trouble it is to return the thing? Or does it depend on a feeling you might have of being wronged by the seller of the crappy product? Please share your thoughts.
Its not a waste of time at all to me. I will return something for whatever reason regardless the price. Mainly because I dont want to keep something I wont use or dont need, plus its a waste of money then. Rather have the money back I spent.
If I purchase something and discover it is broken, will not work properly, has parts missing, doesn't fit as expected, if I changed my mind, if I find a better deal, if the color is off, or for virtually any other reason - I will return it. I shop a lot online - most stores will offer some sort of free return - which is great. If they do not - I will still send it back and not shop there again probably if the product was defective. I don't buy used stuff - period. On E-bay - which I don't shop frequently - I won't buy it if it is used. I have enough crap of my own that is already used - I don't want more!
If I buy something locally - I return it next time I shop there. I keep the receipt, put the item back in the bag with the receipt and stick it in the car so it doesn't get forgotten. Not a big deal. Why feel bad about returning stuff - the vendor with the crappy stuff is the one who should be feeling bad for not representing his product better or for not having a better return policy. I usually give those types a little free advertising by word of mouth as well. I fully accept responsibility when I screw up - I expect others to as well - especially when they take my money while they are doing it!
Returning a defective or falsely advertised product is actually a social responsibility. In a consumer society, the costs of the returns put the bad companies out of business and discourage others from repeat attempts.
Cost factors in. If it'll cost more to return than I'd get back from the seller, then I'd keep it, but would make sure to write a scathing (but accurate) online review
I buy almost all my clothes online, so I do a fair share of returning if either the fit or description doesn't mesh with what I expected.
I needed some fresh mozzarella for a recipe a while back, and accidentally picked up a container marinaded in Italian seasoning. I took that right back to exchange for the plain variety, and offered to put it back in the case after I got my refund. The customer service person told me that because it was a perishable, they couldn't legally resell it, and she would throw it out, despite the seal being unbroken. I felt a bit badly about that.
On the other hand, I bought frozen shrimp at Costco, a purchase I had made many times before. The first time I used some to make dinner, my husband got sick. Nobody else did, so I didn't connect it to the shrimp. The second time I used it, I got sick. I took what remained in the bag, which was only about 10 pieces, and the cashier thanked me. He said if people didn't bother to bring it back, they would have no idea there was an issue.
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