I was required to buy an item at an electronics shop that is only reimbursed up to $1. There was nothing in that price range and I saw something I actually needed so I decided to buy that, but it cost about $30. And the next day I saw that item at another store for about half the price on sale. I purchased it with the hope that I could return the item from my mystery shop. And here's my question:

Can you return items that you have/will be reimbursed for?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

We have discussed this issue several times on the forum over the past couple of years and we seem to disagree. If the instructions for the shop say you cannot return the item, then definitely you cannot. If I make a purchase on a shop and the instructions do not say you must keep the item, then IMHO the item is "mine" to do with as I please: whether I keep, use, give as a gift, throw in the trash, or return to get money back. I do very few purchase shops and I have yet to return any of my purchases, but If I wanted to return something for a refund once the shop and report were completed, I would believe I could do so (assuming there was no instruction from the MSP requiring me to keep the purchase.)

I have never returned anything that has been reimbursed, however, I have never bought a 30.00 item when being reimbursed 1.00. I would have bought the cheapest the store had, and tell them nothing is available for 1.00, maybe you'd get full reimbursement. I would also have shopped around for the 30.00 item on my own time. Your case is unusal, so returning might be an option, but I wouldn't make it habit.

I have a problem finding a small $2 item in this one strip mall electronic chain. After my interaction regarding a tablet, phone or notebook it is awkward to be scrambling looking for a cheap item to buy just for the receipt. Even the stocking stuffers are pricey.

I know EXACTLY what you mean!

Liz


sand Wrote:
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> I have a problem finding a small $2 item in this
> one strip mall electronic chain. After my
> interaction regarding a tablet, phone or notebook
> it is awkward to be scrambling looking for a cheap
> item to buy just for the receipt. Even the
> stocking stuffers are pricey.

I agree that the tiny reimbursements just to have a receipt are a PITA.

One trick I've started to use is finding my piddly item before my interactions. I've got the item I came for in hand and then "get distracted" by the computer/printer/TV whatever. If I need to extricate myself after the associate has asked for the sale it's also my excuse.

I do not see anything wrong at all with returning an item if it has served it's purpose (proof of visit) and the shop guidelines do not prohibit it. In these cases of $1 reimbursement, it often feels like you're just announcing that you're the shopper, so purchasing something larger (and in your case, something that you really need) seems much more normal. And then if you decide you don't really want to keep it, then fine. It absolutely proved your visit and they'll spend one whole dollar on you for you to show that. Big deal!


piglet3414 Wrote:
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> I was required to buy an item at an electronics
> shop that is only reimbursed up to $1. There was
> nothing in that price range and I saw something I
> actually needed so I decided to buy that, but it
> cost about $30. And the next day I saw that item
> at another store for about half the price on sale.
> I purchased it with the hope that I could return
> the item from my mystery shop. And here's my
> question:
>
> Can you return items that you have/will be
> reimbursed for?
>
> Thanks in advance for your advice!

In those electronic stores, inexpensive items are hard to find. In your specific case, I would not hesitate to get reimbursed. The purchase requirement was only for the receipt and now that it's been submitted, it's not an issue.

Some companies will even accept a return receipt as proof of your visit. What did you instructions say about the purchase requirement?

I just did a Willians-Sonoma and it is pricey...I found a 10.00 (cheapest) spacula, and will be reimbursed 7.00...the thought of now returning is interesting, but taking their 7.00 doesn't seem right. They have spices, but why buy something I won't use, at least in the electronic shops (*Best Buy), you can buy gum. I do love browsing at Williams-Sonoma,and since the holidays are upon us, they cook and the smell of sauting onions and celery and all the xmas decorations make this fun....and a reason to go to the mall. What do the rest of you buy there for 7.00?

I've never gotten to shop Williams-Sonoma, but it is definitely a place where I would go over my reimbursement and probably just consider that and the shop fee a discount

I normally would not purchase a $30 item when there is only a $1 reimbursement fee, but it was something I needed and figured I might as well put that $1 towards something I needed rather than a $4 piece of junk I would never use. I had shopped around and knew that $30 pricetag was typical, but with my luck it went on sale at another electronics store the next day. I think I am probably going to return the item because the paperwork says nothing about returns being prohibited. And this is definitely a situation I don't plan to be in again.

In the future, I think I will change how I do these shops to how LisaSTL does them. Pick out the piddly item first so it doesn't make it obvious that I am a shopper when I am scrambling through the store to find a cheap item.

Thanks for the input everyone!

Since you have to go back to the first store anyway you can take the ad with you and if it's the identical item they might price match. That could be the best of both worlds.

I don't do many purchase or even return shop. However, if the reimbursement was for something I might use and covered at least 75% of the price, I will not return it. If the amount is low or I have to buy something useless, I have no qualms about returning it. Often they want you to buy something at the inflated regular price.

For future reference, people often window shop at the big box electronic and office supply stores and just end up buying an impulse item like gum or soda. We do that a lot, actually, and see others do the same.

I had a situation where my items didn't ring up at the sale price at an office supply shop and I didn't see it until I got home. My $2 purchase ended up being almost $8. I e-mailed the scheduler and he said to wait until the shop showed approved status, then bring the items in to be returned for a price adjustment.

Unfortunately this wasn't at a big box shop that has impulse items. The cheapest item I could find was $4 and wasn't something I would ever use and purchasing it would've probably screamed mystery shopper. When available, I typically buy impulse items.

I absolutely have. To me, this is one of those situations that I treat as "You can unless it explicitly says you can't".

Now, it likely won't make a huge difference, but keep in mind that if you return the item, your reimbursement is now shop payment and you are liable for the taxes on that amount.

sand Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I have a problem finding a small $2 item in this
> one strip mall electronic chain. After my
> interaction regarding a tablet, phone or notebook
> it is awkward to be scrambling looking for a cheap
> item to buy just for the receipt. Even the
> stocking stuffers are pricey.


I shop alot of the "electronic chain store.". I find things all the time.

The secret it to scour the store, after you have done all your requirements.

Granted, they are more like $1.97 to $3.97 but just check the end caps. Markdowns are throughout the store. There are always camera bags and small flash lights for a couple of bucks.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/11/2011 09:08PM by SunnyDays2.

Unless the shop instructions prohibit returns, I feel free to do so.

Absolutely return the item if not prohibited in the specs and you don't want it.

sand Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I have a problem finding a small $2 item in this
> one strip mall electronic chain. After my
> interaction regarding a tablet, phone or notebook
> it is awkward to be scrambling looking for a cheap
> item to buy just for the receipt. Even the
> stocking stuffers are pricey.

If it is the one I am thinking of, consider batteries for your camera or DVR, a package of paper for your printer or similar relatively small items you can use for your business. Lets say a package of batteries is $3.99. With tax in my area that would be a total purchase of $4.23. I get reimbursed $2 for my purchase and claim the other $2.23 on my Schedule C as 'office supplies' if I am using the batteries for my business. For a while there they were selling house brand batteries that could fall in the under $2 category though it has been a while since I did the shop. It keeps you from having to browse the whole store--you can go pretty directly to the battery display to figure out what is cheap and still useful.

For those expensive electronic shops I usually buy those yellow bracelets that are a $1 each at the check out. I have a small bag full of them now and will pass them out at the next cancer walk I go to.

I have been thinking about this thread, and decided, no it is not ethical to return a reimbursement. They have purchase/return, but asking for a small purchase to retain a receipt and gettting your money back doesn't swing in the right direction when you choose to purchase a larger item. Tell the scheduler you cannot buy anything for a dollar, let them raise the reimbursement..but there's always a pack of gum.

Those yellow bracelets were nowhere to be found and unfortunately this store doesn't sell impulse items like gum or soda.

Does the client set the rebursement, if so, they should know the minimun limit.

I have an abundance of electrical tape ($2.66 with tax). I figure I'll put it in everyone's stocking this Christmas...hey, who can't use some good 'ole electrical tape..LOL. Tried to sell some on eBay, but nobody wants it. I also have several of those yellow bracelets. Good idea about the cancer walk thing.

I've started a nice collection of under $2 junk from the shack. One of these days I might find something useful. As to returning an item that has been reimbursed already, seems to me that doing so would cause that $2 reimbursement to become $2 of income in the eyes of the IRS. Tax peeps, comment?

I'm sure the client already knows nothing can be purchased for $1 or $2. My inclination is to believe the requirement is coming from the MSC as proof of visit and they don't want to reimburse anything that is not necessary. And if we go over the max reimbursement I guess it's a win/win, MSC keeps their costs down, retailer gets another sale!

Something really cool that I've only seen from mVentix, the receipt can be for a purchase or a return. All they are looking for is verification that the shopper was at that location at the time reported. When they have multiple shops which are convenient for me I will schedule the same retailers in pairs so that I can purchase on the first and return on the second.

Irene_L.A. Wrote:
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> Does the client set the rebursement, if so, they
> should know the minimun limit.

The instructions do not need to say you can or cannot return..reimbursement means just that, you get reimbursed for the item, let's think here guys! Returning a reimbursed item is a dishonest shop at most, and a sneaky way to make a few more bucks at least. Having said that, people will always push the envelope and get as much as they can. I pick up what I need or want for reimbursement, and don't do jobs where I can't use the item.

I still don't see where this is dishonest. The company has a set amount which includes fee and/or reimbursement. Often they will advertise a shop as being say $15 which is a combination of both. Obviously, they place a value of $15 on the shop whether it is $15 fee only, $5 fee plus $10 reimbursement, etc. Regardless of whether the item is returned they have received the value for their contract. If a shopper can find something of use which makes that reimbursement of value to them great. If not, I can see of no reason to be stuck with an item which is of no use or worse, spend more money than you receive. I also look at it this way, the client has contracted for a $15 shop. The client and/or MSC decides it will be broken down as $5 for the fee and $10 for the purchase. Let's just say the item purchased has an actual cost of $3, the client is then getting a $7 "rebate" on that shop. Add to that the $7 which went toward the mystery shop goes against their business costs while the $7 which comes back goes to income. There just has to be a tax benefit to them somewhere in this equation. Is that also dishonest?

The thing about this that is funny for me, I never return reimbursed items If the reimbursement is not something of value to me I just don't take the job.

Your final statement, LisaSTL is what applies to me. If the reimbursement is not useful I don't consider it as payment and often that reduces the value of the shop to below what is worthwhile. I will try a shop once and based on that decide whether I will do them in the future.

I see there being two types of shops with reimbursements. The first is where the client is also the location. With a 50% markup on the merchandise (or more or less, depending on the place and the type of purchase), when they pay me $5 and reimburse me $10, they are paying me to buy merchandise in which they have a markup to make the sale profitable. If I return the merchandise for my money back, I am costing them more for the shop. I don't do returns under this situation.

Then there are the shops where the client is a third party, not the location or its management chain but rather a service provider to the location/chain (such as a credit card company, supplier who has purchased shelf space in the store, etc.). Those situations sometimes specify that you may return the item and sometimes are silent. I have no qualms about returning merchandise on these as it is costing the third party nothing extra.

How do you know whether the client is the store or third party? Sometimes it is stated that ABC is checking on their displays and you see the same shop to be performed in multiple chains. Sometimes it is in the type of observations being required--often you don't need cashier names or descriptions but are specifically looking for certain signage or displays. If in doubt, I don't consider doing a return. Most of these, though, have a small dollar reimbursement that is just proof of visit and are not worth considering returning.