Forever 21

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No, I'm not talking about age. I'm talking about the clothing store.

One that people my age shop at all the time. Their "store credit only" policy for returns? Their jewelry and accessories as being "final sales"? Stupid, I know. But I didn't normally care or think twice about it because I don't think I've ever returned anything there. I just shrugged it off as a smart sales technique on their part. If it's store-credit only... then the consumer HAS to come back.

Whatever. I shop there enough to not be bothered by that.

What annoyed me? This:

I bought a black floral dress a few weeks ago that I love(d), love(d), LOVE(D)! This past Sunday, I finally had a chance to wear it.

So I took the tag off (I don't know ANYONE who doesn't take the tag off before putting on the outfit itself), and loosened the ribbon/belt that goes around the waist. And what happens? The loop that the belt/ribbon/I-don't-know-what-to-call-it goes through on both ends rips. Just like that.

The next day, Monday, I contacted Forever 21's customer service department on how I should go about replacing it and whatnot, and the response I get?  Part of it reads "Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate a return or an exchange for an item" [for which] "tags have been removed."

Well, gee, thanks. Next time, I'll make sure to keep the tags on everything anticipating the product to be damaged AND dealing with such crappy customer service.

Most customer service departments go out of their way to replace damaged good and/or offer a refund. Obviously Forever 21 isn't one of them.

Forever 21? Well, apparently it has the business sense of most 21 year-olds.

Marked Price

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We bought a Quesadilla maker from Macy's a little while back and my family absolutely loves it. Tacos, Fajitas, and now quesadillas are some of the favorites in our household.

Yesterday, I went to buy one as a gift for someone who really liked it at my house. I was pleasantly surprised to see the sign below indicating it would turn out to be a very good deal for us!

I'm no math major or mathematician... but I do know math [with the help of a calculator sometimes :)] Let's start off with an English class though:

Original Price = the original price of the item!

Marked Price = the price the item is being currently sold for.

Extra = (in this context) additional.

The Quesadilla maker was originally for $29.99 and on sale for $19.99. The above sign indicates that I should get an additional 40% off at the register so the total should have came out to $11.99-$12.00 (plus tax).

When we didn't get the additional discount at the register, I pointed this out to the employee and she tells me that the 40% is off of the original price. Another employee went to their manager and came back with the same conclusion. I explained to them that the sign is misleading (and wrong!) if that is the case.

Now if I wasn't in a hurry (which I was), I would have spoken to the manager. For two reasons:

A) What I mentioned above --> a marked price is the price the item is currently being sold for!! It's not rocket science, it's just simple English language. I should have gotten the item for $11.99-$12.00 each.

B) If the 40% was really supposed to be reduced from the original price as they claim, then the price I should have gotten the item for was $17.99-18.00 which IMMEDIATELY proves that they are wrong about that. The validity of this argument of theirs is ridiculous. I feel like I need to go back and pull out a calculator. Either way, they are selling the item for the wrong process.

Summary: The customer is always right. ESPECIALLY when they are RIGHT!

Class adjourned!

Homework: Poll: Is a "marked" price the original price or the sale price (what the item is currently being sold for)?

I should have prefaced by saying I shop at Macy's a lot - from clothes, to shoes, to jewelry, to gifts and things in between.

UPDATE (4/4/12 2:24 PM): I wanted to update and note that our Macy's account was credited the 40% today, which I appreciate.

Consumers

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As I was patiently waiting (not really) in line to return something at customer service in Target earlier today, I overheard the following conversation between the cashier and consumer.

Consumer: I want to return this (this being a child's outfit).
Cashier: Ok, do you have a receipt?
Consumer: No.
Cashier: How did you pay?
Consumer: Cash or credit card.... but credit card I think.
Cashier: Do you have the credit card?
Consumer: No.
Cashier: Can I see your driver's license or ID?
Consumer: I don't have that either.
Cashier: I need that or something in order to process the return.
Consumer: Sighs. I'll come back.

Me: Trying my hardest not to burst out laughing, but can't keep the smile off my face.

Really?! I swear, I worked in retail part time while I was a student and it just never surprises you the things people say/do.

I don't know about you, but I'd never even try to return something if I didn't have a receipt or proof of purchase. Or if I did have the receipt, but I'd used/worn the item.


P.S. Don't forget to leave me a comment below on your thoughts! As always, I'd love to hear from you.

Advertising Tactics

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I understand companies think of every way possible to advertise their stuff and try and get us the consumers to their products. That's just the way it works.

I do not appreciate the fact when they go over board and send me emails telling me there are things still left in my cart from my last purchase that I did on their website....

.... and when I go to their website, a) there is absolutely nothing in the cart and b) there are pop ups informing me of a the gigantic sale they are having along with it being plastered pretty much on their website.

This is of course on top of the fact that they already send emails every day informing us of the sales!

As much as I love Bath and Body Works and their products, I do not appreciate this tactic.

P.S. Don't forget to leave me a comment below on your thoughts! As always, I'd love to hear from you.