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Returning reimbursed item?

May 29, 2017 07:36PM
@LisaSTL wrote:

I'm not arguing the ethics because no returns means no returns so there is no justification. However, I don't see how this could be getting paid twice or double dipping. The reimbursement is basically a wash so the shopper is trading merchandise for an actual cash payment.

On a more pleasant note, welcome back BirdyC:-)

@BirdyC wrote:

If shoppers feel they have to get paid twice for an item they must purchase in order to "make it worthwhile," then they simply shouldn't accept the shop.

Hi Lisa, and thanks!

"Paid twice" wasn't the correct terminology, of course. But if a shopper is reimbursed for a purchased item and keeps it, it's a wash. No out-of-pocket expense, no loss, no profit. Say it's a $10 item with full reimbursement. If the shopper then returns the item, said shopper now has $10 more "in pocket" than what the shop fee was that was agreed upon, since the shopper will receive the initial $10 as reimbursement, then $10 again when returning.

I guess I should have said "paid back, then paid" for the item....

I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
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More About Reimbursements
May 29, 2017 07:48PM
If there is a differentiation between cash and cash value, then that holds true; for me there isn't. When I have an assignment that reimburses $20 for a divot and pays $10 cash, I've earned $30 of value. Where the Client or MSC does not mentioned returns in the contract and I don't want the divot (sometimes even if I do want it) I'll return it. I have ended with the same value as the assignment calls for, and so has the client. If they say no returns in the contract/guidelines and I don't want the item I'll give it away or sell it.
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May 29, 2017 08:29PM
If I wanted to return a reimbursed item, and the instructions didn't address the subject, I'd ask the MSC if it were OK. If they said it was, I would. Otherwise, whatever the instructions say rule.

I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
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May 29, 2017 08:39PM
Actually if the guidelines do not address returns, I feel completely comfortable returning the item IMO the guidelines serve as our contract so if they haven't found it important enough to address, I see no reason to bring it up.

Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
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May 29, 2017 09:05PM
I have to admit, I received a Marie Calendar's Banana Cream pie that was obviously frozen and defrosted several times over as a good 1/3rd of it was smashed up against the side of the plate in an awkward u-shape.

You cannot return or exchange items on those shops as per the guidelines. However, since the store does not require a receipt if you want to exchange items, my neighbor was happy to do it for me in exchange for 1/4 of the pie!
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May 29, 2017 09:28PM
@spicy1 wrote:

.... I received a Marie Calendar's Banana Cream pie that was obviously frozen and defrosted several times over as a good 1/3rd of it was smashed up against the side of the plate in an awkward u-shape.

LOL! Well, if the purchased item is unusable due to previously undiscovered/undiscoverable damage, I'd say that puts a different spin on it! winking smiley

I'd want my pie and to eat it, too.

I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
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May 30, 2017 11:36PM
I had a really easy return recently. I saw a pair of cute sneakers labeled size 8, and checked inside the tongue, and they were 7s. Bingo! The store is less than 2 miles away, and I was able to write up most of my report in a coffee shop, before I made the return (needed to wait an hour before returning.). I didn't have to come up with a cheesy story for why I was returning them.
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June 03, 2017 04:38AM
There has only been one time that I've returned an item against the shop policy, and that was because the item I bought didn't match when I got home and put it in my room. I DID, however, make another, even larger purchase at the store. I didn't even think about informing the scheduler about it, but that would've been a good idea.
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June 03, 2017 03:36PM
What you did was an exchange, not a return. I have no qualms about exchanges regardless of guidelines because I'm not getting my money back.

Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
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June 04, 2017 12:42AM
A person who returns an item that the mystery shop company paid for is stealing in my opinion. I felt guilty one time returning an item for a different size .
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June 04, 2017 01:20AM
Once again, going back to get a different size is an exchange not a return so no need to feel any more guilty about that than getting home to find the item was broken and going back to get one in working order. These days some retailers do process exchanges by completing a return then ringing the new item. That is the case where I might consider giving the MSC a head's up.

Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
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June 04, 2017 01:49AM
If you return the item, the only thing you are really returning is the potential loss of the profit portion of the value.
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June 04, 2017 03:04AM
@spicy1 wrote:

If you return the item, the only thing you are really returning is the potential loss of the profit portion of the value.

Plus the cost of the work to restock.
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June 06, 2017 02:48AM
@sandyf wrote:

One of my msc used to have a delightful high end restaurant chain that had 6 or 7 different style restaurants all in my area. Suddenly they were all gone. I did one a month for 2 years and loved it. I spoke with my scheduler who told me one of their shoppers brought their kids along against the rules. Not only that but they were drawing on the tables. The msc lost the entire account! So you are not only hurting yourself by returning things when clearly not allowed to but you are jeopardizing the entire msc community. Think about it!

Whoa! Good point, I would have never thought of that! Dang, that stinks.
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June 06, 2017 05:34PM
Early in my MS career I returned a small item that was a required purchase, because nothing in the guidelines said anything about it. The MS company was not happy and told me so. I have learned to specifically check if you want to keep good relationships. Although I do think it should be in the guidelines, along with things like using coupons, if it's allowed or not.

Kona Kathie
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June 06, 2017 05:57PM
@fuzzymo wrote:

@Irene_L.A. wrote:

@Kakita987 wrote:

I recently returned an item a few days after the shop. The total pay was $15, the item I bought was $88.80 (after taxes). I would have kept it if it was practical to use daily, but it ultimately wasn't practical for me. There was nothing in the guidelines about returns, and I returned a couple of days later.

Will you also return the reimbursement?

The poster said what the total pay was. No indication whether any of that was reimbursement.

Does that mean there was no reimbursement at all?
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June 06, 2017 06:28PM
@LisaSTL wrote:

Actually if the guidelines do not address returns, I feel completely comfortable returning the item IMO the guidelines serve as our contract so if they haven't found it important enough to address, I see no reason to bring it up.

I accepted a shop recently that has a shop fee and requires you to make a purchase of at least $150 with a reimbursement of $100. The shop fee and reimbursement is less than the required purchase amount. The guidelines do not state returns aren't allowed.

Would it be wrong if I return said item?
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June 06, 2017 06:36PM
While realizing the actual dollar amount should not be the difference in right or wrong, I have only taken assignments with reimbursements between $1 to $20. I have never actually returned items for the higher end of the reimbursement because I go knowing I will be able to get something useful.

OTOH, if the reimbursement is say $5, there is no warning the lowest priced item is $10 and it is compounded by being a store with nothing of use to me, it changes the game. The key is knowing up front allowing for an informed decision.

Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
Reply
June 06, 2017 07:21PM
@newbieshop wrote:

@fuzzymo wrote:

The poster said what the total pay was. No indication whether any of that was reimbursement.

Does that mean there was no reimbursement at all?

No. It means that there was no indication whether any of that was reimbursement. We don't know either way.
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June 06, 2017 07:32PM
@eyelove2shop wrote:

@LisaSTL wrote:

Actually if the guidelines do not address returns, I feel completely comfortable returning the item IMO the guidelines serve as our contract so if they haven't found it important enough to address, I see no reason to bring it up.

I accepted a shop recently that has a shop fee and requires you to make a purchase of at least $150 with a reimbursement of $100. The shop fee and reimbursement is less than the required purchase amount. The guidelines do not state returns aren't allowed.

Would it be wrong if I return said item?

I wouldn't accept such a shop in the first place unless I needed the item or confirmed ahead of time that I could return it....

Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.
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June 06, 2017 07:42PM
Every time we cheat the instructions, such as by doing returning items for which we have been reimbursed (which I see as stealing), we give MSC's and clients more reason to tighten up on their requirements for us. It makes our "word" less trustworthy. It drives them to require that we bring back more photographs as proofs of visit. It pushes clients to verify our visits on security video. The more frequently shoppers prove themselves to be untrustworthy, the more we as a group will not be trusted.

I don't buy any argument that says, essentially, "They don't pay me enough to keep the item." If you don't like the compensation, you are an independent contractor and are not obligated to take the job.

Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.
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June 07, 2017 04:19AM
I would not accept a job where the reimbursement is for less than the required purchase amount UNLESS either I knew for sure I could use it or I could return it (but if it's returnable, why the reimbursement?). This is especially true of an expensive item like the $150 purchase requirement but only reimbursed for $100. That makes no sense to me. If I have to spend a substantial amount of money I better be fully reimbursed period.

What's done is done. An egg cracked cannot be cured.
There are 3 kinds of lies. Lies, Damn lies, and statistics.
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June 07, 2017 04:57AM
@aynur wrote:

So I just did a shoe shop where they reimburse up to $35. My hubby is a little irritated with me - he thinks I should just return the shoes after I get paid but I said I could use them (he's upset because we could really use the money).
My question is has anyone returned something like that instead of keeping it?

Oh I've done that shop at two different locations in my area. I love that store and their quality of shoes! I got a great pair of Nike's on one shop (I spent an additional $25 above reimbursement because I needed them) and a pair of Minnetonka sandals that have a lovely cushioned feel on the second shop for $36...it's totally feasible to stay in the range of reimbursement if you try. If you need the shoes, keep them. I am a retired massage therapist, and when people would come to me complaining about back trouble, often the culprit was cheap shoes if they were on their feet a lot (next to a bad bed or pillow, poor posture, or driving for prolonged periods of time with no proper lumbar support). I get the point of needing the money but good support for your feet is important. If you go to Payless you are going to get Qualityless.

Edited because my phone is stupid.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/07/2017 04:58AM by JASFLALMT.
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June 07, 2017 02:33PM
You forgot sitting with a wallet in your back pocket. winking smiley

There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind
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June 11, 2017 04:53AM
Late to the party...I think alot of people have a "holier than thou" attitude to ethics and ICA's and love to smite people with them any chance they get. Do what you think is right. You know your financial situation better than anyone else. Returning a reimbursed item is stealing? Say what now!
Have fun shopping.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/11/2017 04:55AM by indianyooper.
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June 11, 2017 04:58AM
I returned my shoes for a recent shoe shop. This is more due to the fact that they disqualified my shop. However, my hubby also suggested I should return them even before I found out if it was disqualified. Truth is, the mystery shopping company will never know and I don't think it is the least bit unethical to return it if the policy of the shoe company is to honour a return of unworn shoes.
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June 11, 2017 06:48AM
@bgriffin wrote:

You forgot sitting with a wallet in your back pocket. winking smiley

Treated many a sciatica issue. Ugh. But that usually presents in one leg with numbness and/or tingling on the posterior or even a foot (or all the way down), I had one guy who was dragging his foot...started putting his wallet into his front pocket. It was a miracle how fast it improved.
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