Urgent Matter Regarding Return Policy

Hey, everybody! It's Sunday, that means football, and that
means....I'm a football widow. ;o) Exciting October Sundays.

I wanted to let everyone know that a comment one this thread has been
removed due to name calling. I regret having to do it, because some
of you had very calm, logical responses to the comment - but
unfortunately when I deleted the one comment, the system deleted all
the ones below it on the thread.

Let me know if you have any questions - thanks!

Jennifer, with all respect, the best thing you could have done was
state you respect everyone's input, although you may disagree.

It was nice to hear we were of some help in resolving the matter, even
though, it seems like you could have simply resolved it by returning
the jacket and coupon on your next available day.

I would hope you realize how immature the original letter might have
come across and worse, your response.

It really does seem the merchant took the "high road" on this one.

If the store is going to enforce this idiotic return policy, then it
should PRINT THE COUPON ON THE RECEIPT!!!! Problem solved.

The terms of the $25 coupon were spending $75. It's so obvious that
you have to have spent the $75 to be entitled to the $25 that it makes
you look guilty to want to keep the $25.

If the jacket merely was too small, why didn't you ask your husband to
get the next size up? Why would you be mad that they wanted the money
they gave you for the purchase back? Why are you furious that they
didn't return the jacket? It seems odd that you think they are being
unreasonable.

What kind of reply would you expect them to give you...so sorry we
inconvenienced your husband, please keep the free $25? I'm so
confused as to what would make you outraged, unless of course you
wanted to get one over on them and are furious they didn't let you.

Jennifer, I would like to see your comments now that you've read
others feedback.

I'm sure you can understand the concern that, if you wanted to abuse
their system, you could return the jacket and retain the coupon.
After the return, you could then purchase it again with a rather
dishonest discount. Knowing this, I could understand them wanting
this loyalty discount card back. The extra step the store could have
done is key in a SKU number which itemized this coupon had been given
to you. On the receipt, it would appear to be just another item of
merchandise at zero cost. When you or your husband wished to return
the merchandise, it would then be reasonable to offer a refund less
the value of the coupon, in this case $25, or given him the option of
returning it later along with the coupon. A good associate would be
able to explain the problem to your husband and why they have to
account for these certificates, so as to prevent abuse of their
system.

My comments to your letter would be echoed from others responses. I
would not have tried to detail "a very rude salesperson" as you were
not there and could not explain the situation as it happened. I would
also not have tried to explain that you will be using your "lunch
break tomorrow rather than have a meal". This sounds trifle and seems
to belittle you further. You would have been also wise to have left
out, "speaking with your attorney" and "pursuing the matter legally".
As I'm sure you will admit, both comments are over embellished and not
about to take place. To state this in, what is suppose to be, a
professional letter or even in person, is ludicrous and belittles your
complaint. It is a statement that speaks of not having control and
wanting to force the issue. You'll find you normally get farther with
"sugar than vinegar", as the saying goes.

In a nutshell, you should understand the problem with the coupon and
tracking it accordingly. You should further understand that a
retailer has not absolute requirement to refund a purchase, unless it
as advertised as such. Only then can it become a "condition of
purchase" and gives you the right to a refund. You would have been
better to send then the appreciation of returning the jacket, but was
frustrated as you were not notified beforehand of this coupon's value
or requirement of return.

I'll admit it. I'm a gymboree addict. My 10 month old has more clothes
than I do. They have what's called a 'gymbuck' promotion. Spend a
crazy amount of money on very small clothes, get a coupon for $25.00
towards a $50.00 purchase. When you return an item, if it puts you
under the minimum for the promotion? You lose the gymbuck. It's really
simple. You EARNED something for BUYING something. The coupon is not a
freebie.
I can understand where you're coming from. There's hardly time in the
day to run back and do a return, and what a hassle to have to go back
for a stinking coupon! But it's no longer yours, and just like the
jacket, if you'd like your money back- you'll have to return it too.
Save your money on the laywer. Take a deep breath and you'll be fine.

If the employee was really snotty? Ask to speak to the manager. (But
not in front of her.) You deserved to be treated with respect.

Good Luck.

I've never heard of having to return the coupons you received with a
purchase...that was very questionable!

Last time I checked, there was no federal, state or local law that
required stores to accept returns of merchandise. It's just something
they do to satisfy customers.

But please do consult your attorney about this egregious wrongdoing.
He or she could use the laughs.

Question: would you still have been mad if they had taken the return,
but refunded your money less the $25 for coupon?

I agree with the other posters. The coupon was given for a specific
promotion and by returning the item you no longer qualify. While it
may seem silly to you to have to return the coupon, unfortunately in
this day and age too many store have serious loss prevention problems.
Stores have been forced to have stricter return policies for a reason.
I'm not saying that you were stealing; all I am saying is that there
are reasons for the policy.

As far as contacting a lawyer, come on! It's a coupon! Paying lawyer
fees would certainly cost more than 25 dollars that you would have
saved with the coupon!!

You should have tried the jacket on before leaving, then you would
have known your proper size.
You mention that a salesperson helped you, so I really have to wonder
at them allowing you to leave the store with a jacket that didn't
fit.

I hope your lawyer informs you that there isn't a single law in any
state, union, or country, saying a store is required to take back an
item purchased by a customer, unless it proves to be defective during
the warranty period.
In fact, it's quite the opposite. It is a buyer beware world.

I also hope your lawyer informs you that you should have returned the
promo coupon. I can understand why you wouldn't think to do that,
unless you are a regular shopper at Arden B., and know that points are
rewarded based on sales.

You received that coupon based on the amount of your purchase, so it's
only fair that it should go back for the points to be deducted.
Now, if you were going to exchange for a different size of the same
item, or a same priced item, then I don't see that the lack of coupon
makes a difference, but I don't think that's what you were doing.
To me, getting your money back, yet still retaining the coupon to use
toward future purchases constitutes fraud.

I am wondering why the store didn't just deduct the $25 coupon from
your refund and make it even, rather than have you leave angry and
badmouthing their store for simply following sane business practices
to prevent fraud.

I have never heard of anything so ridiculous. You figure in the
spirit of customer service they would not even ask for the coupon in
the hope that you would return and use it. I think this clerk
misunderstood store policy. I have received coupons from other
retailers and have NEVER been asked to return it, afterall, it is an
incentive to shop more. Maybe the clerk was going to use it herself
or give it to friends and family. I would bring this to the attention
of the store manager when you go back to return the item.

Well, lesson learned. Shop at Macy's or a comparable retailer that
has better customer service.

Good Luck!

So, am I missing something or it as simple as her returning the $25
coupon with the jacket and receipt to get her money back?
If that is the case what is the fuss?
As for the attorney, the internet and local paper...what is her plan?
Post an ad that says she did not return the $ 25 coupon and some how
it's the store's fault?
Brother, this one is over the top.
Bill R.

This may be a dumb question, buy why can't you wait until the weekend
to take the jacket back? Does it have to be returned with in 10 days
or something? Wait until Sunday (stores are busy on Saturdays) and
take the jacket and the coupon back. Seems logical to me.

You sound like I guy I work with that will take is Lawyer to the Docs
with him because he thinks all doctors are out to get money from him
and will make up stuff. I don't think lawyers are going to care about
this one.

I'm pretty sure that every time I've gotten one of those types of
coupons it's been obvious that you have to give it back with a return.
The idea is that you're being rewarded for spending money in the
store. When you take your money back out of the store you lose the
reward.

Was the coupon not stapled to the receipt? If it's true that neither
the receipt nor the coupon explained this part of the return policy,
then I suppose you have a right to be upset about your inconvenience.
But like you said, if it was unattached and got thrown away, then
what? Has the store never run into this sort of thing.

Something about your situation doesn't quite make sense. By the way,
aren't lawyer fees more expensive than $25?

I can't believe that someone would consult with an attorney over the
return of a leather jacket. It is perfectly reasonable that they
would require the return of the $25.00 coupon as you are no longer
entitled to the discount and common sense would tell anyone that it
needed to be returned.

This store is not preventing returns - - they are simply protecting
themselves against potential theft via the use of a $25.00 coupon that
needs to be returned along with the jacket.

I'm wondering what you would consider "something done to my
satisfaction" could possibly be as you claim you will NEVER shop at
this particular store again.

Finally, you claim that the sales person was "very rude" - - how do
you know if you weren't there - - or is "rude" once again being
interpreted as not getting your way.

If you are not lying about talking to "your attorney" he/she has
better things to do with their time than to discuss a totally inane
situation where you have zilch, zero, nada legal standing. At the
very least hopefully he/she will have a nice laugh and won't be too
irritated about it.

How is this policy unreasonable? You were given a $25 coupon for use
on a future purchase based on your purchase of the leather jacket.
You were, in fact, returning said jacket so therefore voiding the
purchase. Why should you still get the $25? You didn't buy anything!
No explanation from the salesperson was necessary, no purchase, no
coupon, pretty straight forward to me. (and most people it seems)
This was not a tactic to prevent returns, it's a tactic to prevent
scammers from getting free $25 off coupons.

Your reaction just makes me think that you returned the jacket in
hopes of keeping the $25 coupon and then using the coupon to buy the
jacket again at another branch.

Call your lawyer, that way she or he can tell you that you have no
legal rights. If you want to return the jacket, return the coupon.
It's the stores right to ask for it.

Local newspapers..I can just see the headline, "Jennifer B Tries to
Scam Arden for $25".

I have to say, this store employee was on top of her game. Kudos to
her!

You're outraged over what? Being caught trying to rip the store off?
I believe 100% that your intent was to scam this company. Who buys a
leather jacket without trying it on? That's nuts! It's not like you
have to take your clothes off in order to try it on: since it's worn
over a top, you can just try it ON over the top.

Anyone else take note that she says she purchased it at "one of your
stores" and that her husband "chose" a store to which to return it?
That indicates to me that the OP deliberately took it to a different
store in the hope that the coupon wouldn't be requested as a return as
well.

I'm calling attempted fraud here.

And she has the audacity to say she's going to "spread the word
through [her] local paper"?

Somehow, I think she's going to get called out on this one.

All this drama over a return? Pursuing it legally?

How was the salesperson rude? And how do you know she was? You weren't
there.

For their sake I hope you stay away from that store.

Once you calm down and get in touch with your attourney, he/she may
explain to you how these things work. The store gave you a conditional
coupon for a furure purchase (the condition being that you purchased
the leather jacket). The act of accepting the coupon in itself shows
you are aware of the condition (spend over 75 bucks at a later date
and get 25 off THAT purchase. They are not in business nor legally
liable to give you "unjust enrichement" because you only want to
return part of the transaction, leaving them 25 dollars in the hole
(whats to say you DON'T change your mind and use the coupon after this
rage coursing through your veins subsides?) Or that you are a person
of your word, will not buy from them again, but give the 25 buck
coupon to a friend who has no qualms over saving 25 bucks after
spending 75 (a VERY generous discount)

I hope your lawyer dosen't string you along while knowing the chances
are nil that you have a leg to stand on.... some do just for the fees.


It's NOT unreasonable in ANY sense of the word and it's NOT urgent by
any means. Do the right thing and you'll get your money back. Be
bitter and hold on to the too small leather jacket AND coupon.

maybe a i am the idiot here, but when i return something and i was
given a coupon with the purchase...i actually carry the coupon in the
event of a return. i also try things IN the store, especially if it is
a more than a $50 item, or if the return policy of the store is a
hassle (like credit only for the store)...

i don't see how you can say the salesperson was rude, because you
weren't there. maybe she was rude because you did not get what you
wanted. nowhere on this letter you state that they were not going to
exchange your leather jacket at all. i assume that if you go back in
the time given for returns and with the coupon they will make the
exchange.

..and calling lawyer for this? what do you mean if something is not
done to my satisfaction i am pursuing the matter legally? if they
don't give you freebies, then you'll sue...WOW great mentality, very
mature and definitely you have your feet planted in the ground.

"Suppose I had thrown it away."

If you had thrown it out, I could see how you might be upset, but you
didn't. You held on to it, most likely with the intentions of using
it. What did you expect was going to happen, you would have hubby
return the jacket and you would go in and repurchase the jacket with
the coupon? You really have no right to be upset about this
situation.

I don't know of any Arden B stores here in Cleveland (my guess is we
are not cultured enough to have them grace our presence at Southpark
Mall or Great Northern!) but the thing I don't get is why you
purchased a coat off the rack and didn't bother to try it on in the
store?

It would seem if you had at least slipped it on in the store, you
would have had a pretty good idea of whether the fit was to your
liking.

Now, I don't want to believe that you were trying to scam for the free
$25 coupon, but your behavior over this perceived "injustice" and
inconvenice seems just slightly overblown.

Granted a 33% discount coupon hardly seems worthy of holding up a
return over, but for whatever reason, the retailer believes
differently.

In addition, there are two cardinal rules of business letter writing
that you failed to adhere to: First, never write a letter in anger.
It makes you sound deranged and say things that are inappropriate and
unreasonable ("If something is not done to my satisfaction, I can
assure you that I will be pursuing the matter legally")

Secondly, you already stated you will never shop at their store again,
so where is the incentive to "make things right" for you?

If you truly wish to be taken seriously, I would suggest extracting
your foot from your mouth (the whole attorney threat was completely
unnecessary given the situation), taking your blood pressure meds and
trying this again.

Otherwise, return the jacket and the coupon and be done with the whole
thing. It's just not worth the drama.

You weren't there, so please explain how you are able to state that
the clerk was "very rude". I also don't understand why it would be
such a big deal to just return the coupon with the jacket at another
time.

Oh, I get it... you want something for nothing.

The coupon is clearly a promotional "with purchase" item. And I think
you know that.

That being said, it would make perfect sense to me that you'd have to
return the coupon received as a purchasing bonus as well as the jacket
(which I find it difficult to believe you didn't note was too small in
the store).

"I will speak with my attorney".

BWAHAHAHAAAAAAAA! I love a good "I'll sue" comment.

Good luck with that; your attorney will tell you you have NO legal
rights with respect to the coupon.

"If something is not done to my satisfaction, I can assure you that I
will be pursuing the matter legally"

On what grounds, praytell? The "I'm self-important and didn't get my
way so I am going to cry about it" grounds?

You have no legal basis for a claim; but thanks for the laugh,
princess.

Your severe attitude regarding the whole situation makes me wonder if
your intentions were ever to keep the jacket...

If the jacket was just "too small", why wouldn't you have your husband
exchange it for a larger size? You would have still been entitled to
coupon and seriously who buys a leather jacket just to return it a few
days later? A leather jacket is something you shop for not something
you buy on a whim.

As it has been stated below, why should you keep the coupon if you
return the items? You no longer qualify for the coupone once you
return it as they coupon was offered to customers who recently shopped
with them; you forfeited the priviledge to that coupon.

If you truly had no ill intentions for returning the item then I
suggest you take a deep breath... exhale and rewrite an intelligent,
logical letter to Arden B. Though I think that either way you will
receive the same response from the company.

Actually, it makes perfect sense to me.

You purchased an item and received a coupon based upon this purchase.
Therefore, since you returned the item, why should you be able to keep
and use the coupon?

Also, the fact that you are SO upset about this, leads me to believe
that you did this with the full intention of returning it and
retaining the coupon. Otherwise, why be so upset? Annoyed? - Yes.
Outraged enough to contact an attorney? NO.

Demands and threats of legal action are a SERIOUS over-reaction on
your part. This is what leads me to believe that you knew what you
were doing and got caught, hence the overwrought speech.

If I'm wrong and you truly didn't do this with the intention of
keeping the coupon, and are *this* upset, I truly feel that you have
more serious issues than having to give back a coupon.