Am I the only one that avoids Purchase/Return shops like the plague?
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I do them as long as I feel that I am being fairly compensated for making two visits to there store. The information requested for the return half is usually fairly low, but if it has to be on a different day or several hours later, then two trips are required. And if there needs to be a gap of an hour, than can be a nuisance unless I have other things scheduled in the area, even lunch.
Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008
I perform P&R shops all the time. The majority of them are same day returns so I plan my route accordingly. In many cases, I am able to get shops in the same town, same zip code and same shopping plaza or mall. If I do not have to put any additional mileage on my car, I consider it a win-win.
For my other P&R shops where the return is not required but I am not keeping the item, I follow the return date range for the client and once again, schedule other shops in the area so I am earning money.
For my other P&R shops where the return is not required but I am not keeping the item, I follow the return date range for the client and once again, schedule other shops in the area so I am earning money.
I prefer not to take P & R shops unless the fee is equivalent to two shops. Even if the return is within 30 minutes, it is still another trip to the store which means additional time incurred on a one-shop fee for a two-shop endeavour. If the return report is not required, I would accept it if I like the client's merchandise. I have never been a fan of returns. I seldom return items except in mshopping.
Edited for typing.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/21/2015 07:48PM by risinghorizon.
Edited for typing.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/21/2015 07:48PM by risinghorizon.
I forgot to mention that my high-end P&Rs do require the return to be the following day but they also pay a fee equivalent to the extra trip, Again, I schedule new shops revolving around the return.
They never pay accordingly so I've never done one.
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Seriously, nobody cares that you're offended.
Seriously, nobody cares that you're offended.
In reality a P/R should pay more than for two separate shops because when your return goes into the system too many times you may get flagged as an undesirable customer. Further, even though you are theoretically out of pocket nothing, if your purchase debit and return credit end up in different billing cycles of your credit card, you may be paying for or paying interest on something you have already returned.
I like doing them because other don't, so there are always assignments floating around to plug into my routes as fillers. On the occasion when they're bonused, it's even better for me!
Shopping the Greater Denver Area, Colorado Springs and in-between in Colorado. 33 year old male and willing to travel!
They don't bother me. I'm doing one tomorrow. The return has to be done the following day, but the place is next to a nice restaurant that I like so it's a good excuse to have lunch there.
Even better than that is when it's in a shopping mall. It's so easy to schedule other things while you're waiting to return the item, and having a previous purchase with you in the meantime makes you look less like a Mystery Shopper.
Even better than that is when it's in a shopping mall. It's so easy to schedule other things while you're waiting to return the item, and having a previous purchase with you in the meantime makes you look less like a Mystery Shopper.
"The future ain't what it used to be." --Yogi Berra
RisingHorizon has a great point. If I'm going into the store twice I feel like I should be paid for above a regular retail shop fee. I saw one I almost jumped at but it was a $200 purchase, and heaven forbid I lose a receipt or have an issue with returning the item, I've now been compensated $10 and I'm out $190!
P&R shops are definitely on my 10' pole list. I don't even like to return something I legitimately bought and have to return it for whatever reason.
Girls have more choices. Now don't you wish you were a woman?@Hoju wrote:
They never pay accordingly so I've never done one.
That's exactly what I do. For my high-end shops, I will carry my Cartier bag around. It is amazing what doors it will open for you. Literally.@pinchers81 wrote:
Even better than that is when it's in a shopping mall. It's so easy to schedule other things while you're waiting to return the item, and having a previous purchase with you in the meantime makes you look less like a Mystery Shopper.
Spending $500+ on a purchase will definitely make you more aware of protecting that receipt like it is gold.@Delights79 wrote:
heaven forbid I lose a receipt or have an issue with returning the item, I've now been compensated $10 and I'm out $190!
@Sybil2 wrote:
Girls have more choices. Now don't you wish you were a woman?@Hoju wrote:
They never pay accordingly so I've never done one.
Sometimes I feel like a woman
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Seriously, nobody cares that you're offended.
Seriously, nobody cares that you're offended.
None of the ones I've seen pay me enough to go through the return aggravation (time, gas, and store wait time, not to mention the charge on my credit card). The closest I've done is a shop where I had to purchase something via the Internet and then return it after pickup.
Sounds like you have been hanging out with bgriffin too much!@Hoju wrote:
@Sybil2 wrote:
Girls have more choices. Now don't you wish you were a woman?@Hoju wrote:
They never pay accordingly so I've never done one.
Sometimes I feel like a woman
@Hoju wrote:
They never pay accordingly so I've never done one.
Same experience here, with one exception that involves a place I have to go to anyway.
I won't rule out P-R shops if the pay is worth my time, but I haven't come across any of those yet.
Over the years I have seen a few that got to be worthwhile, though overall not.
@Flash wrote:
In reality a P/R should pay more than for two separate shops because when your return goes into the system too many times you may get flagged as an undesirable customer. Further, even though you are theoretically out of pocket nothing, if your purchase debit and return credit end up in different billing cycles of your credit card, you may be paying for or paying interest on something you have already returned.
My credit card company American Express told me that credits have to be listed by federal law as soon as they come through. So if you purchase something on the 22nd and your billing cycle is over on the 23rd but then you do the return on the 24th it will show up on your "amount due" immediately when the store records it. If you get a paper statement you will not see it as the statement was closed and sent out before you made the return but a few days later and before your date due for your card payment if you look at your bill online or call the company you will see that the return has already been deducted from your amount due. I have not tested this out with other credit cards but it happens all the time with American Express.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/22/2015 02:13AM by sandyf.
It should also be noted that, when you make a purchase, the funds come out of your account right away. However, when you return an item, the chargeback could take a few days to clear. So, even if you purchase and return on the same day, you might be without the funds used to purchase the item for awhile. It's good to keep in mind if cash (or credit limit, etc.) is a little tight.
Yeah, I won't take those shops. I don't think the pay is worth it and if somehow the item is damaged prior to returning, I'm SOL on the return.
I'm also concerned that I may fixate on a Seimfeld episode and give spite as my reason for returning the item and be denied.
I'm also concerned that I may fixate on a Seimfeld episode and give spite as my reason for returning the item and be denied.
I don't think there are any Russians / And there ain't no Yanks
Just corporate criminals\ / Playin' with tanks
Just corporate criminals\ / Playin' with tanks
I only do one brand of retail shops where I also return the merchandise (optional). They are video shops, so they pay well, and the company doesn't have a problem with multiple returns. In fact I have returned 8-9 items, each from a different store, all at once without them so much as blinking. For standard written shops though, yeah, no, doesn't pay enough.
There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind
At the moment only demons come to mind
I would rather pull my teeth out, one by one, with greasy pliers that to do P&R's. 
I did one recently and I just do not like going back in the store. It had been 2 years since I had done P/R, so I endured. They are my least favorite type of shop.
I did one recently and I just do not like going back in the store. It had been 2 years since I had done P/R, so I endured. They are my least favorite type of shop.
I feel awful doing these shops when the person is supposed to get a commission on the sale. I once went with my husband to a male-only high-end shoe shop. He had to purchase and return a pair of shoes that cost $150. I could see that the salesman was really excited to make the sale; it was a weekday, the store was dead and it was obvious this was his first of the day. When we waited the requisite hour and a half and then returned the shoes, the salesman's disappointment was palpable. My husband and I felt terrible having the charge reversed on our credit card. It paid $25, not bad, but I completely understand your aversion to these shops. When they make you feel like you have ruined someone's day, the money seems insignificant somehow.
I do them if the pay is worth the second visit and it fits into my plans. I've never had a problem with them. When I bought expensive sunglasses I just left them in the bag until I could return them; didn't take any chance of damaging them.
Sunglasses! I had forgotten how much I hated that particular purchase and return shop. I guess everything has its price.Maybe for $100 I would do another one if it was a slow week.
Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008
@proudlyshopping wrote:
I feel awful doing these shops when the person is supposed to get a commission on the sale. I once went with my husband to a male-only high-end shoe shop. He had to purchase and return a pair of shoes that cost $150. I could see that the salesman was really excited to make the sale; it was a weekday, the store was dead and it was obvious this was his first of the day. When we waited the requisite hour and a half and then returned the shoes, the salesman's disappointment was palpable. My husband and I felt terrible having the charge reversed on our credit card. It paid $25, not bad, but I completely understand your aversion to these shops. When they make you feel like you have ruined someone's day, the money seems insignificant somehow.
I read your post and felt that right in my gut. ....
That is another thing that bothers me..... I wonder if they get to keep the earned commission or does it fly right out the door?
That's the other thing that bothers me with sales (I know we have a job to do/in evaluations) but I never feel good about taking up their time and they are not going to make a sale. "if" that is all they make... I do it but % wise.... maybe 10% of my assignments involve car shops, or any shops where they make commission.
I overheard an employee at a cell phone shop say "Hurry up, we only make commission here." (I wonder how many sales associates in cell phone stores only make commission?) I have taken close to an hour with them. I realize how important "our job" is but it still bothers me a lil bit...
Commissions come out of the profit which a store makes. No sale (= return) means no profit and no commission.
I have been told by T-Mobile salespeople and employees of non-corporate stores selling Verizon and Sprint stores that they work on commission (I don't know if it is just commission). I just finished a bunch of Sprint stores (including ones in now jointly branded Radio Shack stores) that they work on commission. I try to get in and out as expeditiously as possible, while fulfilling all of the requirements of the shop. If I am the only person in the store, I may spend more time. Some of the new Sprint stores are deserted.
I have been told by T-Mobile salespeople and employees of non-corporate stores selling Verizon and Sprint stores that they work on commission (I don't know if it is just commission). I just finished a bunch of Sprint stores (including ones in now jointly branded Radio Shack stores) that they work on commission. I try to get in and out as expeditiously as possible, while fulfilling all of the requirements of the shop. If I am the only person in the store, I may spend more time. Some of the new Sprint stores are deserted.
Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008
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