Money Moral Dilemma: Is it ok to buy, wear and return clothes?

sugarbaby125

In a word NO! Having worked for M & S in the past, I know how many of their customers have no qualms about wearing clothes and keeping the labels and tags attached and returning them. I worked in the flagship store for BHS and found that many of their customers were of the same persuasion. I saw this with swimwear returns a lot. In fact, it quite put me off of buying new clothes from both of these retailers, as far to often they had been previously worn by an unscrupulous customer. I buy my clothes from eBay and have done so for years. I also find the odd bargain in local charity shops

LizB62

No - I'd never do that, I think it's basically the same as stealing.
Plus, when I buy new clothes (not very often) I expect them to be new !

When I was a teenager, I noticed that in one of the clothes shops in the local town, all the staff wore clothes that they sold there. I assumed they got a big discount on the clothes, then noticed one day that more than one of the girls working there still had the tag on her dress.
It turned out that they just picked something to wear that day, then put it back on the rail at the end of the day.
I never bought anything from that shop ever again !

So, if you notice "new" clothing that has obviously been worn for more than just trying on, this could be why!!

bubblegumcola

Any retailer I've ever worked for you've been given a uniform to wear or an extremely generous clothing allowance every year. I've never worked anywhere where you could wear the stock for a day and then return it to the hanger!!

No it is definitely not ok to buy something, wear it and return it for a refund. I've seen all sorts of things be returned and it is disgusting what people think they can get away with. As other posters have said if you can't afford to by new then scour the charity shops. Or if you are good with a needle and thread update your wardrobe by upcycling things already hanging in your wardrobe.

persa

Not really a dilemma, is it?

It's only ok to take back clothing which you've worn if it's faulty and you somehow didn't notice before you put it on.

It's worse than shoplifting. With shoplifting, you write off the cost of the stolen goods from profits. With fake returns, you may end up selling the clothes to a real customer, who finds out and complains. You have to refund the clothes anyway, write off the cost and - and here's the kicker - you may lose the custom of the genuine purchaser who loses goodwill towards the store. See, worse.

celyn90

SandraDJ wrote: »

I remember some years ago being in M&S and someone trying to take some underwear back. The supervisor took one look at the gusset of the pants and said no. The customer scurried away looking extremely embarrassed!

It's almost unbelievable that anyone could try that on!

I've been that shop assistant (in M&S too)! And the customer did the exact same thing, leaving the pants on the cash desk.We used to have check all pant gussets - even if the customer was returning a multipack.

It was an absolute eye opener in terms of what people try and return.

I dont think it is in any way appropriate to buy then wear things with the intention of returning them.

redpete

By asking the question you will legitimise the practise for some. It is not a dilemma - it is wrong.

moral_shopworker

immoral... High Street shops struggle as it is, towns are dying thanks to the internet...and people like your friend using us a wardrobe. Value our jobs like we value your custom.. If I suspect, I will shame you at the counter as is my right to enquire ,protecting company profits legally!

duchy

marmotta wrote: »

Must have a lot of time of their hands! This is wrong, would make me question the values and ethics of someone who did this, do you really want him as a friend? Duchy, no need to be sarcastic as obviously there are quite a few of us who do consider it a question worth asking.

Where was the sarcasm ?

I just wonder WHO at MSE towers think this is a dilemma and thinks it is newsletter worthy?
Is the entire senior management away ?

Anyone who thinks this is a question worthy of asking has some very dubious morals and low standards of hygiene.

littlereddevil

How disgusting. I can't quite believe a couple of people have actually come on here to say they have done it!

gatita

Can't believe anyone is capable of doing this, disgusting!