Wedding Bed, Bath, and Beyond - incorrect info

[Courtneylub]

Just so everyone knows, you CANNOT return gifts for cash back at BBB any longer. That is the reason we went to register there last night, but we were informed that hasn''t been for case for a while. People took advantage of it...like I guess we were going to. We ended up registering for all this stuff we don''t really need, when we''d much rather have the money to go towards our honeymoon. I''m not saying that I expect people to give me money....it''s just what I''d rather have. So while we were walking around scanning stuff that I wouldn''t buy probably EVER, I was just thinking how that $50 could go towards a nice dinner in the Bahamas.

At least we did the "right" thing and gave people some options if they prefer to buy gifts.

 

[LauraSLP07]

Are you sure? I was just at BBB 2 weeks ago to update my registry and saw a newlywed couple return a canopener for cash....they had to provide their registry # and everything. Maybe this new rule hasn''t taken effect everywhere yet!

 

[ringster]

are you sure? maybe it is just the store you went to?

i was concerned about this so emailed their customer service. this was their response as of 2/20/2008

Thank you for your e-mail. We would be more than glad to assist you. At Bed Bath and Beyond, we have a stress-free return policy for registrants. Any merchandise that is shown as purchased on your registry can be returned for cash back in the amount that is shown in the registry listing. If the store in which the return is processed does not have sufficient funds available at the time, they are to issue a corporate check. You may also choose from receiving store credit or an even exchange for returned merchandise. Please be advised, there is no time limit for returns. Also, your registry is kept on file for up to 2 years after the passing of the event date.

We hope this information provided has been helpful. If we can be of any further assistance, please feel free to e-mail us or call 1-800-GO BEYOND.

 

[eleguin]

I was at BBB in NYC on Sunday (4/13) and I returned an item on my registry for cash.

 

[Courtneylub]

Oh wow! Good to know!

I will use this info if/when I need to return anything for cash. Hopefully it won''t be a problem.

Thanks!

 

[ringster]

Date: 4/18/2008 4:29:50 PM
Author: Courtneylub
Oh wow! Good to know!


I will use this info if/when I need to return anything for cash. Hopefully it won''t be a problem.


Thanks!

courtney, maybe you can email the BBB customer service like i did, then print out the email when you go next time to BBB. this way they can''t dispute it.

 

[cara]

We had various levels of difficulty returning items at different BBB stores. Luckily, we have 3 or 4 BBBs within driving distance and after some horrible return experiences at other stores we settled on doing all our returns at the one store that would do hassle free returns straight back to our credit card. It did take some time on occasion to go through the special registry return process, so we did normal returns when possible, but if the store employee figured out it was a registry purchase they would have to do this cumbersome registry return riggamarole.

One note, if you return an item because you have changed your mind, be sure to take it off your registry immediately after returning it. It needs to still be listed on your registry for the return (so don''t take it off before the return - made that mistake once!), but when they process the return they will not remove the item from the list, AND it will go back to showing unpurchased on the registry. We had to return duplicates of the same item we didn''t want because we didn''t delist it fast enough after a return and someone else bought it for us!

I guess I would urge people not to take ridiculous advantage of the program. I know it is a service that is available, and it is an easy way to extract money from guests without asking for money, but Target used to have an easy return policy that was scrapped after widespread fraud, and now Target has a PITA return policy. I just fear that BBB will get rid of this policy as well if it doesn''t make sense for them to be in the money laundering business. Certainly it must be lucrative for them to have this advantageous policy at some level of misuse, and we definitely appreciated the flexibility of changing our mind on certain items or returning broken items or unregistered-for oddball items bought in conjunction with registry items for cash and then later purchasing substitute items without the hassle of store credit. But even with their shipping fees and profit margins, I don''t think that the BBB will keep this policy with an onslaught of registries entirely returned for cash. It would be a shame.

 

[Octavia]

Date: 4/18/2008 5:03:27 PM
Author: cara
We had various levels of difficulty returning items at different BBB stores. Luckily, we have 3 or 4 BBBs within driving distance and after some horrible return experiences at other stores we settled on doing all our returns at the one store that would do hassle free returns straight back to our credit card.

What this store did is actually illegal, unless you had purchased the items on that credit card. It's a protection against money laundering -- they're supposed to make sure that the CC it was purchased on is the same card it's being returned to. Cash returns are fine, as are returns where they mail you a check from corporate HQ, but CC returns have lots of federal regulations. When I worked in retail, we would have gotten in HUGE trouble if we'd put returns on a CC without verifying that it was the purchasing card. You're in the clear, cara, because it's the store's responsibility and not yours, but I wouldn't want people to expect this to happen because chances are, it won't.

 

[cara]

Well that explains why they were the only store to do that! But they were also the only store with consistently trained employees that would process returns expeditiously. I would have been happy with cash or check as well; we just received a few returns as store credit and that was just a hassle. I think I still have a gift card for Williams Sonoma somewhere.

The other BB&B stores were just plain incompetent, taking forever to process returns, not understanding how to apply the 20% off coupon to the most expensive item rather than the first item scanned, and of course processing returns for store credit rather than some kind of money back return.

The must-go-back on same card is really a pain sometimes. I get the money laundering issue, but it really interferes with gifts and with sharing tasks between family members. My husband bought me a pair of shoes I wanted to try out, and we confirmed with the store that they could be returned with the receipt within 30 days. Husband goes out of town and I go to return shoes with receipt but lacking his exact credit card and they wouldn''t process the return. (Store credit yes, return for money in any form, no). So it is a huge pain, but at least now I know why Nike was so uncooperative.

 

[ChargerGrrl]

it''s ALWAYS been on a store-by-store basis. some will do it, some won''t!

 

[HollyS]

I''m glad I didn''t have a HUGE wedding with a registry full of stuff from BBB ''cause they were a nightmare. Everytime I got online to keep track of our ''accumulating loot'' I got booted off by their own ditzy site screw-ups. I finally threw up my hands and said "**** it."

 

[Gypsy]

I have to second Cara's post.

I registered for BBB because of their return policy. But I DO plan on keeping a good number of the things I registered for OR exchanging/returning the smaller items for credit toward one larger, nicer item that wasn't purchased.

I'm sure we will return some things for cash (provided that they still have the same policy), but I could not in good conscience have used them for pure money laundering. That's why I put some very pricey items on my list. I have two sets of very nice china ALREADY. I registered for another full set of twelve. I don't plan on keeping those (though I love them) because I'd rather have the thousands of dollars worth of Ken Onion knives that we registered for (and that no one will buy, I'm sure) or the Dyson Animal... etc.

If a store has policy's I like, I try not to abuse them and instead try to support the store.

Target is a perfect example. I do not shop there anymore. I cannot support a return policy that treats me like a theif. It makes me sad that they felt they had to do this. But I also know why they did. The Good Will by more store was, until this new policy, a Target outlet. The ENTIRE store was full on BRAND NEW merchandise from Target that they couldn't re-stock. Seriously. Brand new stuff. I replaced all of my lampshades with brand new ones-- nice ones, textured ones and silk ones and so forth-- for 2 bucks each from our Good Will. All Target brand, NEW WITH TAGS and WRAPPING.

Now, Target's merchandise return re-stocking policy, IMO, was asinine and contributed to the problem (I once returned a duvet I bought online, that they HAD IN THE STORE ON THE SHELF, and they couldn't re-stock it to their shelves because of some idiotic internal policy and instead had to mark it to go to Good Will)... but people really did abuse the policy as well.

 

[Courtneylub]

What a mess.

Personally, we only registered for about 1 page worth of stuff. New bath towels, 8 sets of everyday dishes, bathroom rugs, etc. Most of it is bathroom stuff! I will likely keep most of that. If we don''t get all 8 sets, I may return the ones we are given. It''s just...we really don''t need anything. We have all the decor, 1000 count sheets, wine glasses, etc. that I can think of. We''re paying for this wedding and honeymoon on our own, so again I don''t expect gifts, but money is sure preferred.

Thanks for all the feedback. I didn''t realize that about Target either.

 

[Gwyn]

Not to threadjack...

I never understand peoples hatred of Target's return policy. I used to work there a few years back and I think their policy is extremly reasonable.

No Idea what happened to you Gypsy, sounds like the people at that store were just imcompetent. The only time a store should not take back a purchase that was made online is if it is an online only item. or if someone used it and just decided they didnt want it anymore. Even the things that cannot be restocked are still returnable at no cost to the consumer (with the exception of some electronics).

The only thing I guess that is considered a pain is if people do not keep track of their receipts and pay with cash (since if you pay with gift card, credit card or check the store can look up your receipt). But many stores are like this, and do not even have a look up option. It is a shame that people abuse systems so much that stores have to require these things but think about the market nowadays and inventory related cost. If they accept merchandise that they sell but that you bought elsewhere you get their money and they get the item to resell (seems reasonable) BUT they pay people to analyse and research products to determine how many each store will stock/sell. Now they have extra merchandise to stock, store and sell.

Also, i think they allow up to 10 non receipted returns a year where they will offer you in store credit.

I think target mainly suffers from lack of trained/professional workers, not their return policy. On the plus side their policy is usually posted several times in the store and on the back of all receipts so you can always call them on it when they are not adhereing. I find that, in general, just asking for a manager gets me fair treatment (if not MORE than fair treatment).

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 4/18/2008 7:39:47 PM
Author: Gwyn
Not to threadjack...

I never understand peoples hatred of Target''s return policy. I used to work there a few years back and I think their policy is extremly reasonable.

No Idea what happened to you Gypsy, sounds like the people at that store were just imcompetent. The only time a store should not take back a purchase that was made online is if it is an online only item. or if someone used it and just decided they didnt want it anymore. Even the things that cannot be restocked are still returnable at no cost to the consumer (with the exception of some electronics).

The only thing I guess that is considered a pain is if people do not keep track of their receipts and pay with cash (since if you pay with gift card, credit card or check the store can look up your receipt). But many stores are like this, and do not even have a look up option. It is a shame that people abuse systems so much that stores have to require these things but think about the market nowadays and inventory related cost. If they accept merchandise that they sell but that you bought elsewhere you get their money and they get the item to resell (seems reasonable) BUT they pay people to analyse and research products to determine how many each store will stock/sell. Now they have extra merchandise to stock, store and sell.

Also, i think they allow up to 10 non receipted returns a year where they will offer you in store credit.

I think target mainly suffers from lack of trained/professional workers, not their return policy. On the plus side their policy is usually posted several times in the store and on the back of all receipts so you can always call them on it when they are not adhereing. I find that, in general, just asking for a manager gets me fair treatment (if not MORE than fair treatment).

Gwen, that does not match Target''s "new" policy. I think it was instituted last year. It''s a PITA.

Take registry items for example. You register for them. Your guests buy them. Target messes up and you get two of something. You take it back to them... but guess what? You don''t have a reciept-- AND YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW THEY PAID, so you can''t look it up. So, they give you store credit, but it''s ONLY good in the SAME department as the original item was from... so if you got two toasters you HAVE to buy a kitchen electric. And I''m TELLING YOU, they treat you like a criminal. It''s off your freaking registry for the love of Pete! And it''s not 10 receiptness returns anymore.

 

[Gwyn]

Wow that must be new. before they would pull up the registry and just use that as a receipt. Of course that all depended on if the cashier checking you out used the registry feature correctly and that the person buying actually brought it up to them. Interesting.... I shop there all the time and never have an issue, then again, i am not returning things I didnt buy so i guess that makes it easier

 

[sera]

I have always needed "the same card" when returning. It''s annoying that the behaviour of others makes it an inconvenience for us.

I believe Target''s receiptless return limit is TWO (that''s if you don''t have the card it was purchased on).

I understand why they have to do this, BUT it sure is a big pain because I''ve misplaced more than two receipts and paid with cash. It''s also a pain because, like Gypsy said, it must be returned to the same department.

I haven''t registered yet, so I can''t add any info on that. I also don''t need a lot of items... our registry will mostly be fun or pretty stuff we haven''t gotten around to buying ourselves.

 

[sumbride]

I would go back and ask for the manager because I doubt it has changed. We were able to return a few things for cash... got a few duplicates and a few things that we changed our mind on. I never had a problem getting cash, and once I actually asked for store credit because I was about to buy something else, and the clerk said "are you SURE you don''t want the cash? because I can give you cash!"

It''s not intended to be a cash-in system, but it is helpful when you really don''t need another spatula.

 

[Asscherhalo_lover]

i had my shower today and made returns today and got back cash, no problem!