November 7, 2004 07:42 AM
Some Shoppers Find Fewer Happy Returns
Excerpt: As the holiday shopping season gets into full swing, a number of major retailers — including KB Toys and Sports Authority, according to store personnel — are rolling out electronic systems that weigh the number of returns and exchanges a person has made, the dollar value of the items, and the dates of the transactions to decide whether a consumer should be granted another.
WASHINGTON - Darlene Salerno considers herself a loyal customer of the Express clothing chain, shelling out roughly $2,000 for its trendy outfits each year for the past decade. On a recent shopping trip, she bought a tank top, a button-down shirt and some khaki pants, but realized when she got home that she had similar items in her closet. So a few days later she took them back to the store. She presented the items, the receipt and waited for her money.
Instead, the saleswoman handed her a slip of paper that said "RETURN DECLINED" and told her to call the toll-free number at the bottom for more information. She phoned and was informed her account showed "excessive" returns.
As the holiday shopping season gets into full swing, a number of major retailers — including KB Toys and Sports Authority, according to store personnel — are rolling out electronic systems that weigh the number of returns and exchanges a person has made, the dollar value of the items, and the dates of the transactions to decide whether a consumer should be granted another. The systems are designed to catch shoplifters and those who "wardrobe," wearing clothes and then returning them for a full refund.
READ FULL STORY ...
Meet The Bargain Hunters: Three Everyday Experts Share Their Tips (November 26, 2004)
Think you're thrifty? Top this: Malysa Niederkohr of Mill Creek spends $50 a week on groceries for her family of four. Including diapers. Shelly Watanabe of Burien — a self-described "thrift queen" — once scored a $200 beaded cocktail dress for $4.99. Mara Phipps of ...
Smart Holiday Shopping (November 25, 2004)
While the average consumer expects to spend $702.03 over the holidays, just 4.5 percent more than last year, plenty of us will spend more than we can afford. Are you worried about a debt hangover this holiday season? Here are 5 tips to help you ...
Read all 54 posts in the same category of Spending:
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Feb 20, 2005
Best Rock For Your Buck - Feb 13, 2005
'Simplified' Ticketing Is Not So Simple For All Fliers - Feb 07, 2005
Blockbuster With a Joystick - Feb 07, 2005
Picking Rewards Deals? Seek Loyalty - Feb 07, 2005
FCC: Cable TV Rates Rose 5.4% In 2003 - Feb 06, 2005
Powell to Step Down at F.C.C. After Pushing for Deregulation - Jan 25, 2005
Apple Changes Course With Low-Priced Mac - Jan 15, 2005
How To Tip Well - Jan 14, 2005
A Little Retail Hustle Paid Off in Holiday Sales - Jan 07, 2005
Delta Fare Plan Turns Industry on Its Head - Jan 07, 2005
Before Christmas, Wal-Mart Was Stirring - Jan 07, 2005
Delta Plans to Streamline Fare System - Jan 07, 2005
TiVo Upgrade Puts TV Shows On Laptops - Jan 04, 2005
What You Wanted, What You Got - Jan 01, 2005
How To Handle Charity Solicitations - Dec 29, 2004
Be Careful When Donating To Charity - Dec 29, 2004
Charged Today, Tapped Out Tomorrow? - Dec 28, 2004
Be Prepared When Returning Gifts - Dec 27, 2004
$10 for a Plain CD or $32 With the Extras - Dec 27, 2004
10 Ways To Save Money When Cruising - Dec 27, 2004
New Nigerian Scam Suckers Online Sellers - Dec 27, 2004
Stop Shopping; Give Cash As A Gift - Dec 27, 2004
Last-Minute Shopping Made Easier - Dec 26, 2004
Phone-Network Leasing Rules Eased - Dec 26, 2004
How To Minimize Holiday Debt - Dec 24, 2004
Holiday Shoppers Should Rethink How They Pay - Dec 22, 2004
Lower Living Costs, Keep More Money - Dec 22, 2004
Blockbuster Cuts Online Prices - Dec 22, 2004
Making Your Generosity Pay - Dec 21, 2004
Price Cuts Get Deeper - Dec 21, 2004
Charitable Giving: The Right Match - Dec 21, 2004
In the Bay Area, TiVo Supplies DVR's at a Terrific Price: Nothing - Dec 19, 2004
Cell Phone Calls In Flight? - Dec 09, 2004
Holiday Tipping - Dec 09, 2004
Tunes Coming To Callers? - Dec 08, 2004
Electronic Ways to Pay Eclipse Checks in Number - Dec 07, 2004
The Trouble With Rebates - Dec 07, 2004
Customers Tire of Excuses for Rebates That Never Arrive - Dec 07, 2004
'Phishing' Attacks Surge In 2004 - Dec 06, 2004
Bush Signs Internet Tax, Special Ed Bills - Dec 05, 2004
The Wide World Of Online Shopping - Dec 04, 2004
Shopbots: Your Own Automated Shopping Assistant On The Web - Dec 04, 2004
Traveler: Know Your Options - Dec 04, 2004
Worried Merchants Throw Discounts at Shoppers - Dec 04, 2004
Regifting 101 - Dec 02, 2004
Health Costs Up 7.5% - Dec 02, 2004
5 Popular Holiday Shopping Scams - Nov 30, 2004
Slick Tips for Holiday Shopping - Nov 28, 2004
Give Gifts That Give Back - Nov 28, 2004
Tips For Stretching Your Holiday Budget - Nov 26, 2004
Meet The Bargain Hunters: Three Everyday Experts Share Their Tips - Nov 26, 2004
Smart Holiday Shopping - Nov 25, 2004
Best Rock For Your Buck - Feb 13, 2005
'Simplified' Ticketing Is Not So Simple For All Fliers - Feb 07, 2005
Blockbuster With a Joystick - Feb 07, 2005
Picking Rewards Deals? Seek Loyalty - Feb 07, 2005
FCC: Cable TV Rates Rose 5.4% In 2003 - Feb 06, 2005
Powell to Step Down at F.C.C. After Pushing for Deregulation - Jan 25, 2005
Apple Changes Course With Low-Priced Mac - Jan 15, 2005
How To Tip Well - Jan 14, 2005
A Little Retail Hustle Paid Off in Holiday Sales - Jan 07, 2005
Delta Fare Plan Turns Industry on Its Head - Jan 07, 2005
Before Christmas, Wal-Mart Was Stirring - Jan 07, 2005
Delta Plans to Streamline Fare System - Jan 07, 2005
TiVo Upgrade Puts TV Shows On Laptops - Jan 04, 2005
What You Wanted, What You Got - Jan 01, 2005
How To Handle Charity Solicitations - Dec 29, 2004
Be Careful When Donating To Charity - Dec 29, 2004
Charged Today, Tapped Out Tomorrow? - Dec 28, 2004
Be Prepared When Returning Gifts - Dec 27, 2004
$10 for a Plain CD or $32 With the Extras - Dec 27, 2004
10 Ways To Save Money When Cruising - Dec 27, 2004
New Nigerian Scam Suckers Online Sellers - Dec 27, 2004
Stop Shopping; Give Cash As A Gift - Dec 27, 2004
Last-Minute Shopping Made Easier - Dec 26, 2004
Phone-Network Leasing Rules Eased - Dec 26, 2004
How To Minimize Holiday Debt - Dec 24, 2004
Holiday Shoppers Should Rethink How They Pay - Dec 22, 2004
Lower Living Costs, Keep More Money - Dec 22, 2004
Blockbuster Cuts Online Prices - Dec 22, 2004
Making Your Generosity Pay - Dec 21, 2004
Price Cuts Get Deeper - Dec 21, 2004
Charitable Giving: The Right Match - Dec 21, 2004
In the Bay Area, TiVo Supplies DVR's at a Terrific Price: Nothing - Dec 19, 2004
Cell Phone Calls In Flight? - Dec 09, 2004
Holiday Tipping - Dec 09, 2004
Tunes Coming To Callers? - Dec 08, 2004
Electronic Ways to Pay Eclipse Checks in Number - Dec 07, 2004
The Trouble With Rebates - Dec 07, 2004
Customers Tire of Excuses for Rebates That Never Arrive - Dec 07, 2004
'Phishing' Attacks Surge In 2004 - Dec 06, 2004
Bush Signs Internet Tax, Special Ed Bills - Dec 05, 2004
The Wide World Of Online Shopping - Dec 04, 2004
Shopbots: Your Own Automated Shopping Assistant On The Web - Dec 04, 2004
Traveler: Know Your Options - Dec 04, 2004
Worried Merchants Throw Discounts at Shoppers - Dec 04, 2004
Regifting 101 - Dec 02, 2004
Health Costs Up 7.5% - Dec 02, 2004
5 Popular Holiday Shopping Scams - Nov 30, 2004
Slick Tips for Holiday Shopping - Nov 28, 2004
Give Gifts That Give Back - Nov 28, 2004
Tips For Stretching Your Holiday Budget - Nov 26, 2004
Meet The Bargain Hunters: Three Everyday Experts Share Their Tips - Nov 26, 2004
Smart Holiday Shopping - Nov 25, 2004
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