After reading some of these remarks, I sure hope none of you folks go into business. You would have a rough time doing business with real people.
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The owner or clerk was short sighted. You were going to buy the bigger one so what was the difference. The bigger one was going to cost more so chances are their profit would have been better.
I would not purchase from that store any more either. It was obvious you bought it there. Apparently some of these mom and pop stores are too independent. Not good to be that independent when good will is what brings you business
"The great challenge of adulthood is holding on to your idealism after you lose your innocence."
– Bruce Springsteen
Businesses lose an estimated $16 billion each year to shoplifting.
Each family in the US spends $300 per year to subsidize what shoplifters steal.
Nearly 90% of the population has, during their lifetime, shoplifted.
There is a shoplifting theft every five seconds of every day.
Shoplifting accounts for 30% of all reported crime.
One third of all new businesses fail due to retail theft.
Adolescents account for nearly 50% of shoplifters, but they only steal one-third as much as adults.
Shoplifting accounts for five to 10 cents on each dollar spent in our retail economy.
For more on crime prevention, visit the following websites:
National Crime Prevention Council and Washington State Crime Prevention Association
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topflite51 wrote: Without a receipt, how do you know that the jack wasn't stolen? Frank is kinda shifty lookin.
No receipt. No refund. No credit. Go pound sand.
Home Depot has its own bar codes. When I buy ABS fitting at Lowe's who has the same supplier, but forget and take it to HD, they will know it is not theirs. Home Depot keeps all records on computer for 90 days. I never take receipt there. Just too many to waste my time to look for them. By swiping the credit card (can do up to 3) they will access the copy of the receipts in their database.
Costco holds all the records for several years. Even when the item shows defect after 5 years they will take it back without receipt. Only lately they excluded computers and some electronics and gave them 90 days.
Pessimist sees dark tunnel, optimist sees a light at the end, realist sees lights of coming train.Engineer sees 3 idiots on the tracks.
Frank, I understand what you're saying, but you can't expect a "mom and pop" store to be like Walmart or any of the other big box stores. They really have no idea how long ago you bought that jack without a receipt, do they?
We have a 30 day return policy and the products must be in their original packaging. Torn and ripped open packages are NOT returnable. After all, I can't resell them at full price like that, can I? I'll be lucky to get what I paid for it because someone didn't take the time to measure, etc. Our return policy is written on the receipt and is on signs throughout the store.
Even with the policy clearly stated, we had someone two years ago try to return some "special order" awning lights (that no longer worked) without a receipt. The lights were rusted and they had tried to replace the bulbs with different bulbs. Fortunately for us, all our stuff is computerized, so I was able to check the sales history of those lights. The woman tried to return the lights in August. The last time we sold those lights was April. That's WAY more than 30 days. Because she didn't have a receipt and we had proof of the very last sale of those lights, we rejected the return. She STORMED out of the store hollering that she'd NEVER shop there again. Frankly, we don't need customers like that!
I know, from "talking" with you over the years, that you're not that kind of customer, but unless the owners of the store really KNOW you, they really can't afford to do anything but what they did. Normally, the small stores provide much better service, but when it comes to returning things, they have to draw the line somewhere and need to create a policy and stick to it if they want to remain in business.
Julie
PS, there's a reason for return policies and the need for receipts. My sister's mother-in-law was famous for buying items at garage sales and abusing Walmart's very liberal return policy by returning those items for FULL PRICE, even if it was never bought there. Small stores just can't compete with that and have to create policies to ensure they're not the ones taken advantage of. Sad but true in this day and age.
* This post was
edited 08/19/08 08:42pm by Mrs. Mik *
A lot of "Big Box" stores are requiring receipts these days. Just how much profit is there in giving a refund or credit for something that was NOT purchased, just because you are going to buy the larger one. ROFLMAO! How is it obvious that it was purchased from there, when you don't have a receipt. How do they know you didn't STEAL IT. It certainly is not obvious to me. The last couple of years before retirement, I worked for a large retail operation, you wouldn't believe what people did for refunds. As I said, No receipt? No credit. No refund. Go pound sand. It is amazing what retail thefts are costing the American consumer. If you can't bother with keeping your receipt, TOUGH! The fault is yours, not the store's.
I wouldn’t throw in the towel on small business over it, but can understand the frustration. There is a major correction going on and as sad as it is we are on the losing end of it.
I guess this is a matter for every business owner to decide how they handle it. And for every patron of same to decide whether or not to continue to support that business. Is there a right or wrong way to handle these type transactions/problems? Probably not as each one is different in some respects.
I owned and ran a small business of some type for 20 years. The only time I ever asked for a receipt was if my vendor required one for warranty purposes. Now granted my business was probably smaller than many mom and pop ventures but I believed in common sense and trust. Seem to be a couple attributes that are lacking in some businesses today. Treat people the way you wish to be treated and trust until you have a reason not to. That was my business motto. I may have got burned a few time, I'm sure I did. But to this day I can walk down the street of this and neighboring towns and know that I will not come face to face with one person who can honestly say I mistreated them in any way.
That said, the shop that I sold in 2003 is now closed and standing vacant. The new owner moved here from Arizona and tried to run it like he ran a business in Tucson. He lasted less than two years. Hardnosed and ungiving in any respect. If people want to be treated like a number they will go to the big box stores and chains for what they want. I found the folks that patronized my business were willing to pay a little more for my product because they knew if there was a problem with the product they would not be stressed with having trouble from me to get it rectified. When people want to be treated like people it is the mom and pop operation they expect it from. When the mom and pop business treats them in an impersonal way I expect no less than the attitude that Frankjake has voiced here.
Is it fair? Who knows, probably not, but it is the way it is.
Our local Lowe's store now ask's for your phone numbe. You can decline. By receiving your phone number, they can look it up and tell when you purchased the item. Help's them when people try to return without receipt.
Remember how helpfull all the clerks and help was at the big box stores when they were trying to take the business from the mom and pop stores. Then remember what a PITA they were when they had all opf the business to themselves. These big box stores are great at doing what they need to do to get your business the question is how will they deal with us when the competition no longer exists I can make a guess. Please do not wrap all Mom and Pops with the one that probably should have handled it differently. We need the american dream to stay alive somehow.
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