I would just like to add the simple philosophy of "Check the Return Policy Before You Fall in Love" LOL!

No matter WHAT store -- or WHICH product -- check first!

I've seen women in tears at stores that will NOT allow them to return items -- even when the store policies are clearly posted on the walls! These folks are convinced that the store should simply change their policy for them ...... ain't gonna happen .......

And don't forget to ask and check about shipping policies and charges too! Some of those charges can really add up when it comes to the bottom line!

Ask questions -- and when possible -- get it all in writing!

Jan

Home Goods has a very friendly return policy, which is especially nice when you consider that you are mostly buying decorating items. Sometimes a color or pattern just don't work for me. Or there's the issue of that pottery funky chicken my DD talked me into for the kitchen window......

Red

I have become increasingly aware of customer service issues. Bad customer service will result in my not shopping at that store unless absolutely necessary.

I have had issues with Linens and Things, Target and QVC. I will shop BB&B over Linens and Things; QVC only when there is a product I know is a great price or one that I can't find anywhere else. I love Target, but I have to be extremely careful about return dates, etc. It's always such a pain to resort to calling managers, or the main store of a company to urge the local store to "do the right thing" for the consumer.

One of the best customer service organizations is LLBean; they are incredible, always polite and service with a smile. I believe they should also go in the business of training other stores on how to treat their customers!

Stores should realize a happy customer will return to shop again; a disgruntled customer will tell others and will be careful about making another purchase.

I haven't had issue with return policies, just customer service or rather the lack of.

Most recently has been Expo Design Center. In Feb. I saw a very nice in stock vanity and sink on display at the store which would go perfectly in my bathroom. They didn't have either item in stock right then but I was assured that they were on order so I purchased them. The sink came in within the next week or so. I started calling weekly about the vanity and was basically given the run around, the vanity would definately be on the next shipment.... nope didn't come in last week but its coming in this week. Stupidly I believed them and this went on for a few months. I finally cancelled the order and got my money back. Then I'm told by a few employees (on the QT of course) that this happens frequently enough that they would never sell an in stock item that wasn't actually in stock at that moment. That there is no tracking and that I couldn't get any assistance until I physically went back to the store and cornered a manager, made me decide that Expo is off my list for future purchases.

Another recent store - Frans Basket House which sells wicker, rattan and all weather furniture has no problems selling showroom samples as full priced, brand new. I ordered a bistro set and picked it up at night a week later. When I looked at the set the next day in daylight, I was surprised how filthy it was. I called the store to speak to a manager about the condition and was told that no matter how long it sat on their showroom floor, it was still considered brand new merchandise.

JC Penney has an amazing, no-questions-asked return policy, at least in our experience. They have taken back DH's pants that he "forgot" to return for TWO YEARS, without a receipt, and somehow looked them up and gave him full purchase price for them. Not sure whether this is universal, but we were blown away.

Lowe's employees have been so helpful and friendly to me that I hate to go to HD now, even though it's a lot closer to my house and the prices are sometimes better... As wonderful as the Lowe's folks are, that's how terrible the HD employees are.

I've had better customer service at Lowe's over HD for sure. For that Lowe's has gained a lot of our business that we would have in the past given HD. We still shop DH, but Lowe's is getting 50% of our business now.

I've never shopped at Target. I've been in the store maybe 3 times. The Target by my house has bad lighting, floorplan, etc. I don't know, it's just not a comfortable place to be.

I love JCPenney for all my curtains, rugs, and sheets. They have quality and like the above poster stated, their return policy is very open and honest. No hidden (you can't take it back when xyz happens, etc.)

I purchased a pair of tennis shoes for DH from a FootLocker store a few years ago. It was a different style he'd been wearing and sure enough, they didn't fit correctly. When I went back 3 days later I learned there were no cash refunds. I stood at the desk and made sure every customer in the store heard that "policy." I made such a commotion they gave me my money back. I told them they didn't ever have to worry about me coming back because I don't shop at stores with no cash return policy.

It's true, you have to remember to ask about the return policy because some of them are jips!! I won't shop where I can't get my money back with a receipt. They just don't get my business.

My sister had a bad experience with K-mart the other day. She returned some dog chews that were rancid and the manager had the nerve to tell her that in the future he wouldn't be able to take back items like that. She told him that was fine since she wouldn't be shopping there anymore. I couldn't believe he told her that. By the way, she had the receipt and had just purchased the item the day before.

"I love Target, but I have to be extremely careful about return dates, etc."

I think Target has a great return policy and system-love, love, love that you can go without your receipt and as long as you paid w/credit or debit they can look it up, generate the refund, pass it over and boom you're on your way.

Lindabarbara, I think the issue w/checking the dates is just in line with what Teacats mentions: be aware of the store policies. Target certainly doesn't hide their policy, in fact it is written, at least at my local Target, directly about the return desk in large type in 3 languages!

I second the praise for JCPenney. I also have found them to be very good about returns.

I got caught last year with a coffee table I bought impulsively from Bombay. I *didn't* bother to check the receipt carefully although I realized quickly the table wasn't what I wanted. I never even took it out of the box to assemble it, but when I finally got ready to return it, the 30 day refund policy had expired...2 days earlier. I did call the store, was told the manager might be able to authorize a refund but by the time I got ready to head over the announcement had come out that the store was closing. So, I ended up donating the table still in the box to charity. Lesson learned but I wasn't mad at Bombay, just at myself for not checking the store policy!

Ann

I had a problem at Target trying to return a baby item from my registry. They still had the exact same item on their shelves but refused to let me have store credit because I did not have a receipt. My only choice was to pick an item of the same value from the baby department only. That's pretty silly. I could not pick two items that added up to that dollar amount. No, just one item of the same value or greater.

I understand the need for stores to tighten up their return policies, but that seemed kind of over the top to me. I understand not being able to give me cash, but not even store credit?