Effective Return Policy - Cute Kids Eliminate Post-Holiday Hassle
Posted: Saturday, January 03, 2009
by Mary Fagan
Motherwise
The gift that needs returning can pose a problem for some of us but luckily there is a way to cut through that red tape and no receipt hassle - teen girls.
If you dont have any of your own, I am sure that you could work out a deal with a neighborhood teen or a friend's child as they are a money-hungry bunch, and as the following true-life story will illustrate, quite savvy.
I went directly to the store I bought the item from.
The young women went to a store they knew the item didnt come from, but knew that it carried similar items.
I told the two girls not to take that item to that store as it was not very honest, and it would be embarrassing when they were found out. (Silly Mom!)
I was assisted by a young male sales clerk. He asked for the sales slip, my address, phone number and had me sign a paper. I was issued a credit even though I had a receipt. I spent a lot of time trying to find something to buy all on my own as I pretty much got ignored.
At the other end of the mall, my charming young offspring struck up a conversation with a young male sales clerk. They giggled and talked about so many things, none of them related to the item or to the store. The clerk was unable to identify the said item as one sold by this chain. None the less, the young women exchanged it for something similar. The young women were very pleased with themselves and really liked their new item that they spent the better part of a half hour shopping for with the personalized attention of the sales clerk offering his advice about their selection.
When I got home they told me of their easy exchange. Noting the difference in our gift return experiences, with a bit of bristle on my part, I got some advice punctuated by two sets of eyes rolling and the duh look I have grown so accustomed to. "Mom, you really need to be a bit more selective. Find an older man working there and act real sweet."
Act? I am sweet! Older man? The truth is that I didnt know what was worse: The fact that I had to jump through a lot more hoops for my exchange or that it was because I no longer as "interesting" as I used to be. I would have wrinkled up my face but I was afraid it would make matters worse for future merchandise exchanges.
Now I will be tempted to send the young women out for my returns until such a time that I can get a fair shake without using theirs.
Truth be told, I wouldnt be able to live with myself if I really did follow their advice and lately it's been harder and harder to find salesmen older than me.
I used my store credit for wrinkle cream and an exercise book. Hope springs eternal.
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Top-level comments on this article: (5 total)Hi Mary.Love this article. So true! But wrinkle cream? Surely you don't really need that!Thanks,DianneThanks, Dianne. Don't trust the headshot - I have Photoshop and I am not afraid to use it! Mary
hi mary,nice to see your smiling face on the front page.this was an adorable story that made me smile.thanks for sharing,my best to you,sueYou are so welcome, Sue.It is ALWAYS nice to hear from you. I wish you the best ion 2009!
Mary, based on your article's title I thought you were going to return the kids. Probably would have gotten a better deal if you had...!Ha! I have to admit there were times that did cross my mind but I wouldn't have as much material to write about.
Loved this article Mary. Never had this problem myself, maybe due to having no presents to return. Thanks for sharing and I believe Danny hit the nail on the head with his commentKeep SafeKacyThank you, Kacy. I am glad that you enjoyed it!
Funny stuff! But seriously, why else did you go through the pains of labor if you had not intended the offspring to do your dirty work in the future?And thank goodness my own daughter is an attractive girl as most of my vices are now serviced by pubescent teenage boys... the movies, McDonalds, Theme parks. I haven't paid full price for anything since my daughter was old enugh to turn their acne filled heads!And it wasn't so long ago that i could do the same, but alas, no more. I gotta find me an old geezer amped up on viagra to get a 10% discount on a 20% 0ff coupon!Great story and I do find their advice is sound. Older men usually have the register key and the authority to give you much bigger discounts than the minor league youngster anyway! lol
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