Serial return policies coming to an end
Some folks have screwed us
all.
Memo to serial returners: They’re on to you.
Liberal rules that allowed customers to return just about anything just about anytime are no more at many retail chains across the country. It’s a classic case of abuse by a few spoiling the fun for everyone.
Costco Wholesale Corp., for instance, had one of the most generous policies around until it wised up to the occasional scoundrel who would “upgrade” a consumer electronic purchase, said Richard Galanti, chief financial officer for the Issaquah, Wash.-based warehouse chain.
For a chain with hundreds of stores, occasional abuse can add up. Galanti said the no-questions-asked policy was responsible for losses of more than $100 million a year — and noted that besides computers and MP3 players, people have been known to bring back containers of cole slaw pulled from their refrigerators and half-eaten bags of potato chips…
Kmart, Lowe’s Cos. and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. have installed computer systems that monitor how often individual customers return things and, as Consumer Reports magazine warned, may stop accepting returns from buy-and-bring-back addicts.
I doubt most stores will bust your chops over an item demonstrably defective. Apparently, the tipping point has been reached between accepting returns as service - and weevils abusing the process.
Posted: Wed - December 26, 2007 at 03:28 PM