The return policy with in the USA on cosmetics, makeup items, bath and body products, etc...is very lean and gracious. Many stores, particularly Sephora, allow easy, fuss free returns. Even QVC has a lovely return policy on many cosmetic items. Even used items are given a free pass for a drama free exchange! Most times a new item is available for you, money back, a credit of some sort, or full refund to your credit is given. This is a policy that many makeup lovers have enjoyed and embraced for a long time now.
This isn't to say that many companies are as gracious. Quite a few counters do give a fair bit of drama to exchange used cosmetic items but with a receipt and a good attitude you should get your way!
The world as we know it has changed considerably after the collapse of our economy and what was once taken for granted is now not as readily available and at your disposable. As the economy continues on it's high and low track stores have begun changing their policies and even a faint whisper and rumor has arisen about Sephora's exchange policy.
I'm sure you remember the day when opening up a box of software and easily returning it because Winblows was being terribly whiny about installing it wasn't a problem at all. I recall Staples smiling friendly like and giving me a full refund. Within that time frame much has changed. Software is exchanged now but only for the same title (absurd if you think about it as if it's crashing on install it's crashing! How can that be helped?) and electronics are occasionally exchanged but with a 15-20% markdown on the original price.
So I ask...what if....your favorite counter, your favorite store, your favorite brand of cosmetics stopped offering credits and refunds on used cosmetics? How would you deal with it? We are a spoiled nation and we take for granted that bright red lipstick that looked fab under the glaring lights in the store can easily be exchanged for money back since it's looking rather obscene in the daylight on our lips.
What if you were stuck with that red lipstick? Without any option to return?
What would you do?
Check below for my answer!
I have two replies to this Musing. One, would be I can understand where these companies are coming from. They have to be losing millions of dollars a week due to chronic returners. Believe me these people exist. I'm not necessarily a chronic returner but I tend to change my mind alot. But where as I normally sell off or swap an item I hate, someone else isn't as gracious. They are in shop, right away, returning for money back or a new item, etc.....When I'm at Sephora I'll see people with big bags of items they are returning, this is rather obscene and could be seen as taking advantage of the system. Granted, if something doesn't work or you hate it by all means return it but do make a smart choice prior to leaving the store that the item you have in your hand is something you want. Don't go home, proceed to smear it all over your lips, and demand a refund a year later. Be gracious and respectable when it comes to returns otherwise we could be in a similar situation as European and Asian countries where returning makeup new or used is unheard of.
On the other side the idea of taking away my privilege to return an item for another item or for my money back is something I value. Sephora's exchange policy is incredible! It's one of the best reasons to shop at Sephora, a simple, mess free return. They even offer free shipping back from their online shop, unheard of on most online stores. It terrifies me that larger stores, such as Sephora, would consider possibly taking away this valued policy!
I do think that everyone should be entitled to a return on occasion as we do make mistakes here and there! Do remember to not take advantage of the system because we seriously don't want to wake up one day in a world where returning makeup or getting a refund doesn't exist!
What's your take?
Tell it!
Labels: Musings of the Day, Sephora
