Has anyone else noticed a shift toward the craptastic in return policies at retail stores this holiday season?

I received a couple of items that I could not use as gifts. (I am grateful that I received gifts, I would rather be able to exchange the item for necessities rather than have it/them sit in a closet unused.)

The items I have tried to return are new in package and the response I got at 3 retailers was that since I did not have a receipt they couldn't complete a return for store credit or an exchange. Not even on 12/28. It was beyond comprehension that I would receive an Xmas gift and not a receipt.

I have worked in retail for 12 years and this is new to me. Wth?

This is new to you? I worked in fashion retail all through high school & university, and we never accepted any returns without proof of purchase (receipt). This is so that stolen merchandise can't be returned for profit, and I was under the impression it was every store's policy. Come to think of it, at both stores I worked in our computer systems wouldn't even allow a refund without the receipt barcode being scanned, so we couldn't even make exceptions for irrate asshole customers.

The only store I've ever even attempted to return something to without a receipt is Walmart, simply because they tend to not give a damn.

Frankly, your beef should be with the giver of the gift, not the store. They're just following policy.

I had this problem with a lot of baby items last October and Christmas. Having worked in retail up until about 2 years ago we also weren't allowed to do returns without receipts due to the items possibly being stolen and not being able to actually process a return without a receipt.

It sucks but you have to have the receipt which is easier said than don with gifts, nobody likes to think that you won't like their gift.

I ended up selling a lot of new with tags baby clothes and gear on Craigslist at probably 3/4-1/2 the price. It really would have been nice to be able to return those items so I could buy needed items but that's the way it goes sometimes.

Yeah, I've never attempted to return an item without a receipt anywhere but Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart has never cared, and the more you bitch about it, the faster they refund your money just to get your ass out of the store as quick as possible. I've never known any other store to be that way though.

I suppose there is always selling it online?

<3

-Aly-

I have worked for Toys R Us, Kids R Us, Petsmart, Borders, Gamestop and Hot Topic. Not accepting a return without receipt, (unless blatantly fraudulent) has not been an option. None of these companies return for cash for no receipt returns, but an exchange or store credit is customary.
Many companies I have shopped with/worked for prior to this year have been lenient in the week or so post holiday since most gifts are not given with receipts. This is the first year I have ever had an issue with stores doing this.
Obviously, having worked in retail for so long, I make sure any item I want to return is in pristine condition, I am polite, state the reason I want to make the return and request a store credit or exchange.
All of the items that were refused were under $20, not electronics, perishable, etc.
With the retail I have had experience working in/shopping at, returns (recently excluding credit card purchases due to privacy/security laws changing) have required a valid name, address and phone #. (To protect the company and customer from fraudulent returns. 60%-80% of most fraud/theft in retail is committed by employees, according to the National Retail Association.) Companies also have the option to track customer transactions for customers who frequently make returns resulting in high dollar amounts. Loss prevention departments can then make the decision to take action against these customers and/or their returns.
Working with customers to ensure they are satisfied is good customer service. I have helped customers with their returns who have become regular customers because they knew I treat them fairly and respectfully and that I value their business. (Why would you want to shop somewhere that treated you like shit because you wanted to return an inexpensive gift that you couldn't use? What if you bought that gift and your recipient went through that?)
Walmart, (one of the few times I will probably say something positive about their company), has been one of the best places for customer service for me when it comes to returns. Maybe it is because I am patient, polite and treat the employees with respect.

(Kind of a long rant for something some people may see as trivial, I realize.)

Vampress and I are both Canadian ( I lived and worked in the same area of Ontario as her) so maybe the customer service policies vary a bit here.

I've noticed store policies have become stricter over the years. Two Christmases ago I wanted to exchange a couple of duplicate gifts Ian received (at Target), and they did give me a store credit (for the lowest price, since I had no receipt) but the associate also told me that there was a dollar limit. I think she said they'd only take back a total of $100 a year with no receipt.

If it's a chain, one store may be more lenient. I wanted to exchange an item a few years ago at Michael's Crafts. My MIL gave me a large craft organizer, but I already owned the exact same one. I didn't want to ask her for the receipt (MIL = awkward!) but went to the store and asked if I could exchange it for something else. They said no, not without the receipt. No problem, I figured I'd give it to someone else. I happened to go to a different Michael's a day or two later, and asked at their return desk. They said no problem, gave me a store credit.

I can see why stores wouldn't want to take things back without a receipt - like Vampress said, they have to worry about stolen merchandise.

Last year I tried to exchange pjs my MIL gave me (she buys them for me every year and always buys the wrong size, even though I've told her several times what size I wear). She included the gift receipt. I took the pjs back to Macy's and the sales associate told me that the item was not from Macy's. I had the gift receipt, and the tag was attached to the pjs. Huh? I figured it wasn't worth arguing about, so I just gave them to someone else.

BTW, this year, I have another pair of pjs in the wrong size!