Ethics/moral question regarding shopping

[wallycat]

I just had a weird experience at REI and I want your opinions.

On May 31st, I purchased a raingear jacket that was $150 and a one time coupon to use 20% off on any one item in the store...I picked this item. I asked if they ever go on sale and they said odds are not. So I bought it.

Today, REI is having a huge end of summer sale...and guess what I saw.
My rainjacket that was marked down to 89.83 PLUS an additional 50% off.

So, I asked if they would adjust the price and they said no adjustments after 30 days. Fine.
Can I bring back my jacket. I have never worn it yet...still hanging in the clost untouched.
Yes, I can bring back anything at any time. Fine...I went and got a new jacket and will bring the other back.

DH thinks this is just wrong...that I am technically stealing about $100.00 from them because the whole time I had it in my closet, they were unable to sell it.
I said, that if they didn't have MY SIZE ...and I wanted the adjustment, that would be different...that, yes, then they could have sold a size they are out of...but as there were multiple coats of my size (and other sizes) ..and some new colors, my thinking is that this item just didn't sell well and I am not doing anything wrong by wanting the sale price.

What do you think. Am I a thief :( :( :eek: ??

[blazedog]

Wally -- I've done this although the Lord knows I am a godless sinner:D

As long as it is unused, the store isn't being cheated at least in my opinion. If you had worn it or had bought it at a real discount store like Marshalls and were attempting to return it --- all things I have heard people talk about.:)

[Grace]

I don't think you're a thief, but I have a feeling when you bring it back they will only give you credit for the sale price. This has happened to me many times. I could be wrong though.

[elnant]

I don't think you're a thief. As long as you haven't worn the jacket, and they are willing to take it back, you might as well get the better price!

[aggie94]

I don't think you're a thief, but I personally would not have done it only because I think the amount of time that has passed between when you bought it and when you found it on sale is unreasonably long to have expected an adjustment to the price. It's one thing if it goes on a sale a week later or even a month, but it's been 3 months now. I would have just sucked it up as bad timing on my part.

And the fact that REI accepted the return, IMO, is not that telling. REI will return ANYTHING, at any time, with or without receipt. I have a friend who bought a pair of fleece pants from REI (REI brand), wore them for years, and then returned them when they were worn out and old. They took them back. They take EVERYTHING back. But I don't think that makes it OK.

[NewMrsG]

I don't think this is wrong at all! The garment can still be sold and they will still make their money - things like rain jackets aren't really terribly seasonal - they should still be able to sell it - or bring it out for next year. I think you'd be crazy not to bring it back. (or maybe *I'm* a terrible person, too!)

It really makes you think, though, doesn't it, about how much stores mark up their stuff! They're probably still making a profit selling the jackets for $45!

[blazedog]

Originally posted by NewMrsG
[B
It really makes you think, though, doesn't it, about how much stores mark up their stuff! They're probably still making a profit selling the jackets for $45! [/B]

Huge profit -- at least 2 1/2 times to 3 times. I don't know what REI is, but most department stores force the manufacturer to eat a good deal of the loss when stuff is put on sale but it's all built into their business plan -- think of the total mark-ups --

raw goods to Hong Kong manufacturer to name on label (i.e. Lauren) to department store -- all marking up merrily along the way:D

[BarbaraL]

I think it's perfectly OK to return it and buy another at the discounted price. Since they have others in your size available, the store not having had it available to sell is not an issue (IMHO).

I've done this myself. In particular, I remember falling in love with a faux-fur jacket that was expensive (for me). It went on sale, so I bought it, but hadn't worn it yet. Then, I stopped in the store on Christmas Eve (or the day before) and it had dropped another $40! I bought another coat, and returned the first one. (These multiple price reductions had occurred over 4-8 weeks).

Anyhow, I don't think you're a terrible person, just careful with your money.

[Cafe Latte]

I'm not sure if I would have done it since so many months have passed by. I do keep all my tags on the clothes until I decide I will wear them. I also keep my recipts and ask what the return policy is. You'd be surprised how many stores have no tim limit for returns as long as you have the receipt.

[JenZen]

I think you're a smart shopper. :)

[MrsReber]

I don't think there's anything wrong with it. You didn't wear it and it's still in good shape so they're not missing out on anything. If they do just give you store credit, at least you can get more stuff!

[wallycat]

THank you for making me feel better :)

I agree that if they were out of the size I had re-purchased, then I would, infact be asking for a price adjustment...which they said they won't do after 30 days. You buy in hopes you can get the color and size you want...but if you find they are putting stuff on sale AND they have all the colors and sizes, then I guess I was telling myself that it was OK.

I feel a little better....
I still have to take the other one back; we'll see what heppens then :p

[tbb113]

Okay..I think its wrong, but I would still do it :o And if you were the store owner, you would think its wrong too.

[leebee]

I once worked at a very nice department store, and we wouldn't have batted an eye at this. In fact, I sometimes called my regular customers when a big ticket item I new they recently bought was marked down. If they came in & I had the item on hand, I would scan a return at their price & repurchase at the sale price w/ out a receipt OR the item (as long as I knew they did buy it!). This amounted to so little $$ in the long run, we (meaning the management & co) looked at it as an extra service--99 times out of 100, we saw the money come back to us that day. I'm sure there are those who take advantage of such a thing, but it cause us a problem. I see nothing wrong with it, and I've seen it from both sides of the counter.

[AdGirl]

I think that what you're suggesting is perfectly fine. As far as I understand, when you request a price adjustment (at least at places like Best Buy), all you need to show is your receipt. The product doesn't need to still be in the box, etc. The fact that your item is still brand new with the tags on makes this absolutely acceptable in my mind. As long as you have the receipt, they are obligated to refund the entirety of what you paid (not the sale price, as suggested by someone earlier). Now, if you don't have the receipt, then they will probably only give you the sale price...

I used to work in a department store when I was in high school and you'd be appalled by some of the things people tried to return. I once had a lady try to return a satin negligee that clearly had been worn (ewww) and we didn't even sell it in our store!!! She kept insisting that we did, and finally I told her that even if we had, the fact that we no longer carried it in our store and that no one in that department even recognized the item led me to believe that the 90 day return period had expire. That was the most egregious incident I can think of...

[TerriS]

I don't think it's wrong. It's you being a smart shopper, and them having the good customer service sense to allow you to do it. By letting you, they're keeping you as a happy customer rather that pi$$ing you off and sending you out into to world to tell all your friends how mean the people at REI were to you.

[Molli526]

Originally posted by JenZen
I think you're a smart shopper. :)

Me too! I would have done the same thing.

[mst]

I work at Ann Taylor Loft. We have people who do this all the time. We adjust prices for two weeks. If it is past the two weeks, the people bring it in, return it, and then re-buy it.

Now, I just returned a pair of pants to the store from last march. As an employee. It was embarassing, but I never wore them. Someone bought them within a few days.

And, as an employee, someone returned an eight month old poncho. I bought it, knowing it was eight months old, and frankly, probably worn. I paid full price, and I love it. Everyone in the store is so jealous that I got a poncho. (Our store opened the month after the ponchos.)So, if you want to feel better, it was such a great thing for me that someone else returned.

[amiable_erin]

I agree with the vast majority. Heck, I've done it myself. Victoria's Secrets always has their HUGE sales right after Christmas and a friend (ok, mom) bought me some stuff. After X-mas (hadn't worn it yet, was still deciding if I wanted that style) I saw the price had gone down by like 70%. I asked for a sales adjustment - they said no. I asked if I could return it and buy it again - they said their policy was that I couldn't re-purchase the item for another week or some such non-sense.

Then I asked them what their policy was and the clerk told me that price adjustments were only possible w/in 14 days...well it was the 14th day! I got her to re-adjust the price.

Sometimes clerks don't want to give you the best service, but I swear that good service like that (i.e. not lying and saying "this will never go on sale) is what makes you return time and time again. And that is exactly what brings many shoppers back for the rest of their life. Many stores may have short windows for price adjustments, etc. - but if you asked me, it's only to deture people like your husband from doing what the rest of us (informed) shoppers do.

In the end who will return the most, the pissed off shopper who didn't get a good deal, or the shopper who couldn't be happier for having got the deal of the century? Shops want you to return - happy and not feeling wripped off.

Stores know about people who do this, and there's no law against it. If it is not specifically in their receipt contract (i.e. "do not purchase an identical item at the sale price and then return the unused item you bought at full price") - by all means use the system! That's what it is there for.

-Erin

[JenZen]

Also, it's all a bit of game from the corporate end. I'm working in promotions now for magazine subs. Secret stuff here ... we send out tons of different offers depending on a person's status (new customer, renewal, etc.) The game is to see how much someone is willing to pay. We get more profit that way, but we'll take them regardless.

The company is still making profit, just less when something goes on sale. Items sit at full price for a while, some people buy them and others wait until later when the item might not be as "hot." If you can catch them at the game, I say "good for you." You wouldn't believe all the scheming that goes on trying to figure out what a person's price barrier is.

Just some thoughts ...

[jtoepfert100]

I used to feel guilty about this type of thing but I stopped after so many instances of being cheated by stores in other fashions, i.e., things not ringing up on sale and not noticing until I left, getting charged for items I didn't buy, etc. I have decided it all works out in the end. And why did that clerk tell you that "odd are" it wouldn't go on sale. I know they want to get the most money out of you, but it makes more sense to me to be completely honest. I'm more likely to take my money and business back to that store.

amiable_erin -- where in NW DC are you? I just moved to Memphis 8 mos ago after being on Capital Hill for several years. We like Memphis but I sure do miss DC sometimes!

[jellyben]

Originally posted by Grace
I don't think you're a thief, but I have a feeling when you bring it back they will only give you credit for the sale price. This has happened to me many times. I could be wrong though.

I would think as long as she has the receipt, they would have to give her what she paid, as long as it is within the timeframe of their own return policy.

[wallycat]

Hi all,
thanks again for your input.
I did not have my receipt, but at time of purchasing some of the clearance items, I mentioned this "frog-in-my-throat" situation and the horrific price difference.
She said their computers keep a running tab of everything you buy and if you lose your receipt, they can still pull your purchase up.
I asked if she would check WHEN I purchased the raingear the first time...that's when I learned it was 5/31.
I then asked her if it was OK to buy the sale item and bring the other back and she said "we don't care.."
so I ran back and got the same size and color....
Went back about 3 hours later and asked for a credit for the 5/31 purchase....no problems. They were very nice and only asked why I brought it back. I am sad to admit I didn't have the nerve to go through the whole sale issue again and simply told them that I had purchased a Columbia polartec pit-zip jacket that I liked better...which, I really did, at Laacke and Joy's yesterday :)
They even credited my credit card for the $127 instead of making me use a store credit ;)

I have to admit that I am simply FLOORED that the price difference was that huge!!!!

[pattyp.]

Please tell, what is REI? I think you did the right thing. You even asked if the item would ever go on sale and was told "no." Husband is wrong "again"

[tbb113]

Here is their website (http://rei.com/) They sell outdoor gear, camping equipment, etc.

[wallycat]

I am just wondering how much I overpaid on the bike we bought there at the same time in May :rolleyes: :o

DH is coming around to the fact that maybe this isn't such a horrible thing I did and that if the store agrees, then at least I'm not doing anything illegal :rolleyes:

Maybe I won't even mention the bike to him :o

[adrianna!!]

I agree with the poster who said you are a smart shopper. I would do this and pat myself on the back afterwards. Then I would go spend the difference on something else as my reward!

[wallycat]

Ha, I couldn't resist...I mentioned the bike.
DH actually said he went to check while I was talking to the sales person about the raingear.
Only $50.00 difference, but of course, I DID use the bike since then and wouldn't dream of returning it or mentioning it.

[lindrusso]

Originally posted by tbb113
And if you were the store owner, you would think its wrong too.

Mmmmm...I wasn't an owner, but I was a store manager. I wouldn't have thought it was wrong. Annoying perhaps, but not wrong. ;) :D Technically, she did everything in line with the rules of the company. If she had worn it first, that would have been another matter entirely.

You did nothing wrong and it most certainly wasn't stealing. :)

Our company (anyone remember Brooks Fashions/Brooks Atelier??) was so eager to please that they offered $3 per item to a lady that came in and dumped a shopping bag of worn clothes that were up to 3 years old!!!! Now in that case, I don't know that I would have given her one cent! But I did feel a bad for her - I figured that it was the fact that her son was on trial (eventually convicted) for killing a priest that had something to do with it - probably trying to raise money for all the court fees. :o :eek:

But I digress.....

Alysha :)

[Escher]

<<<thread hijack>>>

this is a correction to an unknown poster I once had a rumble with...

I asserted that my brother, serving in Afghanistan, had access to an REI outlet. Some poster essentially called me out, saying that REI has no branches overseas, and left my honesty in question.

I recently spoke to my brother again, and asked about it. While he does have access to a civilian outfitter, it was not the REI brand, as he originally told me. It was some other company whose name I, alas, have forgotten. But the point of the matter is, he has access to all the camping gear, clothing and such that he needs, which really was the whole point I was driving at, orignially.

<<<I now return you to your regularly scheduled thread>>>