return a "new" product that you didn't need to walmart (without receipt)...

[tmc]

Say you got this "new" product (as a gift or whatever) that you didn't need.

Walmart takes returns without receipts. Would you be comfortable returning it there and get a giftcard?

Assume that the product is new in shrink wrap. I am NOT talking about return fraud here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Return_fraud

Just a moral thing i guess!!!

 

[waffleironhead]

In my mind, basically you are selling it back to walmart. They are going to offer you a fairly low price for the return, then they are going to go ahead and sell it again. Essentially making a profit off of the same item twice.

From working in retail, I can tell you that the amount they some stores offer you for a return without receipt is often below what the item cost them from the vendor.

 

[pontifex]

why is "new" in quotes if it's still shrink wrapped? was it bought at wal-mart?

 

[blackdogdeek]

without issue

 

[PottedMeat]

if it's not return fraud where's the moral problem?

 

[surfsatwerk]

I shop at Walmart often enough that it wouldn't be an issue.

 

[Modular]

Issue not found here. The only problem is going to be that if the item is on sale, they're going to give you the sale price for the return.

Edit: I get it now. You're not sure if this was originally purchased at Wal-Mart and just want to return it there for the money. I'm not sure what I think about that...but the reality is that they're only going to give you a gift card and you'll have to hand them their money right back when you use it.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

While the product might be identical to what WM sells, it may have a different SKU if purchased elsewhere. In that case I doubt they'll accept it, but as long as it's unopened I don't see anything wrong with trying.

 

[tmc]

why is "new" in quotes if it's still shrink wrapped? was it bought at wal-mart?

ok, what i meant to say was that - the item is in the condition just as if you bought from the store.

my take is that - once it is not new, you shouldn't return it - period!

 

[Fritzo]

I got a turkey fryer from Bass Pro Shop for Christmas and returned it without a receipt. It was going to cost $20 for oil, and $20 for propane, and the damn thing only cost $40. Got me a gift card and bought my son an airsoft gun

 

[surfsatwerk]

ok, what i meant to say was that - the item is in the condition just as if you bought from the store.

my take is that - once it is not new, you shouldn't return it - period!

I'm not getting you. Is the item opened?

 

[tmc]

I'm not getting you. Is the item opened?

ofcourse not. i was emphasizing new. sorry for confusion.

 

[pontifex]

so i see the poll is mostly yes answers. is this because it's wal-mart and everyone has a boner for hating on wal-mart or has the opinion changed that doing this is now ok?

 

[rcpratt]

I wouldn't have any moral issue with this.

 

[D1gger]

My issue with this would be that you are costing Walmart some amount of money for them to accept the return, restock the item and resell it, when they didn't make the initial profit on the sale if it wasn't originally purchased from them.

Eg. You return the item and they refund you $50. Their employees restock the item at a cost of say $5, (a total of maybe 1/2 hour labour to accept the return, put it back on the shelf and then sell it). Walmart then sells the item for $50 to the next purchaser. So this total transaction cost them $5.

 

[DrunkenSano]

How is the restock fee $5 when all they have to do is put it on the shelf? They didn't have to check for damage or rewrap it to make it look new. If they gave you cash instead of a giftcard, then I think it's shady. But since they give you a Walmart giftcard, then you'll be buying their products so it's fine.

 

[tmc]

My issue with this would be that you are costing Walmart some amount of money for them to accept the return, restock the item and resell it, when they didn't make the initial profit on the sale if it wasn't originally purchased from them.

Eg. You return the item and they refund you $50. Their employees restock the item at a cost of say $5, (a total of maybe 1/2 hour labour to accept the return, put it back on the shelf and then sell it). Walmart then sells the item for $50 to the next purchaser. So this total transaction cost them $5.

yep - exactly. also, if you sold it on craigslist/ebay (say) - then you will probably get much lower than walmart (no idea!)???

the only consolation is that - you are only getting a gift card - so you have to spend that money again at walmart.

 

[kranky]

I wouldn't be comfortable returning it to a place where it wasn't purchased.

 

[rcpratt]

the only consolation is that - you are only getting a gift card - so you have to spend that money again at walmart.

Which they're going to make at least a $5 profit off of, a sale that they wouldn't have had otherwise. Don't see an issue.

 

[OCGuy]

I would avoid stepping into a Walmart altogether.

 

[gorcorps]

If it's unopened, and they sell that item there, then I'd have no problem returning it there. They're going to sell it again, so it's not like they're really losing anything... and chances are if you have a giftcard you're going to want to use all of it. And since things rarely come out perfectly even, you'll have to spend a little of your own money to use all of the card on stuff. Depending on the person and purchases they might even come out ahead in this case.

 

[surfsatwerk]

If this was causing problems for Walmart then it's their responsibility to change their return policy so a receipt is required for returns.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Did it originally come from WalMart - if so, I have no problem getting a gift card.

Realize that WalMart will give you the LOWEST price on the item over the past 30 days and also the tax based on that store.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Only if I was certain it had been purchased from Wal-mart.

Being Lawful Good has its drawbacks

 

[Numenorean]

I would want cash back. If I couldn't get it I'd probably just toss it unless it was a very expensive item. I don't shop at Walmart.