'Returnaholics' cost retailers billions of dollars a year

To me, "Return theft" in the article specifically referred to people stealing things off the shelves and returning them for credit. In other words, they never bought the items in the first place. Is this your take on it?

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Rather disturbing that 8.7% of the respondants think there is nothing with this.

they are the ones that do it. low life scumbag thieves.
of course calling them what they are doesn't bother them.

We bought a countertop icemaker from Target and it did not work properly. The manufacturer, wanted us to send it to them before they would even send a replacement. Why should I pay for that or wait for a new one. So, we took it back to Target. It was used, but it had to be to know that it was the worst purchase we ever made! It was $100+ of pure garbage and since they sold it they should have to take it back used or not! They replaced it even though we wanted our money back. They wouldn't give us a refund because it was over $50. We were forced into having a nother crappy icemaker from the same terrible manufacturer all because of the new store policies that are due to this return theft! They also told us if the 2nd one didn't work we would have to deal with the manufacturer because we couldn't return it a 2nd time regardless of the fact that they sold it to us, and continue to sell the item in all of their stores. Needless to say, we never even opened the second one. We sold it and bought a better machine, but we had to take a loss! These rules are totally unfair to the honest shopper and they should make some adjustments to the rules for that!

JP,

It's called "planned obsolescence." The stores realized that back when quality goods were sold, such as kitchen appliances that lasted 30 years or so, they would only sell a customer one or two refrigerators in that person's lifetime. But, by manufacturing goods of cheaper quality that are specifically designed to break down or stop running after several years time, they could sell that product over and over to people over the course of a lifetime. Smart marketing tactic -- tough luck for the consumer! Sadly, it's just the way of the world these days . . .

Made in China!

Because most of the shoddily made products come from China, and other outsourced manufacturing. The owners and CEO's could care less about quality, just as long as they can make 6 figures, while the few Americans left in manufacturing are lucky to make 28000 a year, then pay 400 a month for lousy health insurance. Look at all the harmful products we get from China...tainted heparin, dog food, baby food, toys...on and on. Then, because so many people's jobs have been outsourced, the rare occassion they do buy something, its from China, because its cheap, and they are laid off, adding to the rapid downward spiraling of America.

Look at the country it was manufactured in - that will answer your question

I think it's because we all want the best quality on everything but we don't want to pay a higher price for it. So we get mediocre quality. Second, we all want to be paid top dollar. Very few will knock themselves out to do a great job and have no work ethics. Companies do not want to pay workers any more than they have to even the really good ones. Most businesses expect fewer people to do the same work load. Lastly...too many people have no pride these days! No sense of right or wrong. It is just what ever makes them happy and to hell with everyone else.

It's because of the outsourcing. Products aren't made here in the US much anymore. Thus, cheaper materials. And if you think those extended warranties do any good, the answer is 'no'. Another waste of one's money. When manufacturing is brought back to the US, that's when the quality of things will improve. There are plenty of people in need of jobs here in the US these days. If you're going to waste money on low-quality products, might as well purchase them at WalMart and K-Mart, and the many dollar stores around. The term 'you get what you pay for' doesn't apply anymore here.

It's an ugly practice, but I have little sympathy for the big retailers. If they want to curtail this 'buy and return' rental business, then they should go back to CASH only business.

I remember working in retail back in the eighties; credit cards were rare! We used to be impressed by anyone who paid with one, especially a 'platinum' or 'silver' store card. Now, everyone has not just one credit card but several. It's easy to carelessly rack up purchases. Go back to cash only, and you will see a very different consumer style. But stores won't do this, because they are GREEDY.

Because consumers are so price driven,,, look at wal mart ads,, they dont even advertise things,,, just a price,, is because you dont care about anything but price,,, so the experts say.

The consequences? Junk!

I agree JP. While I would never return a product for profit. I am not going to eat the cost of an inferior product.
It is just as wrong for the store to cheat me, as it is for me to cheat the store. I won't let either happen!

Pam is absolutely correct. I was just thinking the same thing the other day when I pulled out the two year old chopper/mixer I hardly ever used to find the motor was dead, and had to continue using the Hamilton Beach blender that I've had and used frequently for over 20 years! As the saying goes, "they just don't make 'em like that anymore!"

Actually, it's because the American public is too cheap to buy quality goods, so the manufacturers make cheap junk. If Wallie-world sells a $19.99 can opener made of quality materials that'll last a lifetime and puts it on the shelf next to a $6.99 piece of stamped tin that'll fall apart in six months, the piece of junk will fly off the shelf and the $19.99 will gather dust. Manfacturers can't sell the quality goods so they respond with more cheap junk. That's capitalism at work.

Well said. I've found that to be extremely true too, especially at Wal*Mart!!