We’ve all been faced with purchasing something only to find out it doesn’t meet our expectations. Maybe it doesn’t work the way we expected, is defective in some way, or perhaps we simply changed our mind after making the purchase. Knowing the best way to return an item can improve your chance of success, whether your goal is an exchange or a refund. Here are steps we use when making a return:
1. Our first step is to return the item to the place it was purchased. We usually start at the customer service department and explain our problem. This is where keeping a receipt becomes important. Many stores simply will not refund or exchange without one. Target is a bit different in this respect because if you purchased the item with your debit card or credit card they can look up your purchase in their system and verify that you did indeed purchase it from them.
2. We are courteous and direct. When we approach the customer service representative we are very specific about what the problem is and what we want them to do. If the problem is not resolved, we ask to speak to the manager or supervisor. In this case it really does help to be a regular customer at the store because you can form a relationship with the managers and on floor supervisors.
3. If we are not satisfied with the outcome at the place of purchase then we contact the manufacturer directly. Again, in our communication to the manufacturer we are courteous and direct about what the problem is and what we want to happen. If the phone call does not work, then we write a letter to the president of the company and let him or her know about our problem and how we would like for it to be fixed.
4. Write or call the Better Business Bureau to file a complaint. Thankfully, we have usually resolved almost all our issues before this step. Sometimes just making the comment “Well I guess I have to let the Better Business Bureau know about this” can open doors that were previously closed. However, we would definitely file a complaint if we had exhausted all other means of getting the situation fixed.
5. Write or call the Consumer Affairs Department in your State Government and file a complaint. If all else fails we would lodge a complaint with the consumer affairs department in our state government.
What I’m reading:
How To Apologize For An Error? Martyr Yourself! – I have found this advice to be true in my own life…When I’ve made a mistake things have gone much better if I’ve just accepted the blame right off the bat and not try to come up with a good excuse (creative as it may be). Now if I could just get the kids to see it that way….
Spend & Save: Where Do You Use Your Money? – We save our money by cooking our meals at home, making lunches for school/work, etc. We spend on occasional fun activities for the family like taking the kids to play putt putt golf or buying passes to Disney World.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Sometimes we should embrace the saying…let the buyer beware. But when we need to return goods, the government is there to protect us, the consumers. That’s why we really should keep our receipt.
I love the 100% satisfaction guaranteed direction we’re headed. More power to the customer!
Thanks for the shout out – much appreciated
Austin @ Foreigner’s Finances
I always try to do an exchange whenever there is something that I could buy from the store where I am returning the item.
Stores are much more willing to give you your amount back in a store gift card rather than actual cash. That way, they don’t lose the sale.
Oh them unruly kids! lol. I love to return everything (unused of course). It feels so good to get my money back after somewhat frivolous spending.
Thanks for the highlight! Cheers, Sam