Shopping and Returning

[Jodie Wexler]

It seems we all have our way of shopping, "It's a gift", "Can I have
a box", ect. But what about returning?
Last week I bought a dress, got it back to hotel room, put it on and it was a awful fit.
I am self employed and travel a lot, but I live FIVE hours away from this
store and did not know when I would be back that way.

Took it back the next day and got some of the strangest looks
from some women shoppers in the store. The clerk was OK and suggested I get a gift card.
Has anyone else been through this?
The dress was over a 100 dollars so it had to go back.

[Lisa Baby]

Hi Jodie

I rarely spend that much money for a single item. But I have had to return many an item to several local stores here in Kalamazoo. The sales clerks have always been very helpful in makeing my shopping trip a pleasent one. :happy: That is what they are getting paid for!

As you said, the sales clerk was fine with the return. Many people purchase different items for diferrent reasons. And yes, sometimes an item will have to be returned. :sad:

The "odd" looks you may get from other customers should not worry you. :2c: I have gotten many a strange look from other customers in a store when I am shopping and/or returning an item of clothing.

And yes, there are occasions when I will have those pesky little buttrflys in my stomach. When those times occur, I simply stop, take a deep breath, and let it out slowly while thinking of how nice it will feel to slip into what ever it is I am shopping for. The rest is a breeze after that.

Keep on shopping!
Lisa

[Billijo49504]

I agree, try things on, or be willing to take things back. There is no dishonor in returning things. Just take them back. Just remember that those ppl in the store, will never see you again....BJ

[Sheri 4242]

I've never had a problem returning or exchanging any femme clothing I have bought. Never rec'd any strange looks, either - after all, why wouldn't it be reasonable to presume I am returning/exchanging for my wife or one of my three daughters?!!! The closest I have ever come to getting a really strange look was at a Guess outlet store in north Georgia where I had bought a skirt. When my wife and I met back up at the car, we showed each other our purchases, and my wife commented that the skirt looked like the stated size wasn't normal -- so, I tried it on in the car and she was right. So, I treked back into the store and told the SA I needed to exchange it. She remembered me from having waited on me a half hour earlier and gave me a quizical look. I started to tell her that my wife had told me that the daujghter I was buying it for had lost weight and needed one size lower -- but, my comical side kicked in and with just a small smirk I told her my wife said that I needed one size smaller. :D

The look on the SA's face was priceless!!! She didn't know whether to believe me or not -- she got really meek and said well go ahead and get another one the right size. I could tell the she didn't know whether it was for my daughter or for me! It was too humorous!!! Actually, I rather enjoyed the experience for some strange reason - LOL!!!

Hey -- back on topic, I have never had a problem with this; there is no reason for any SA to presume anything. Actually, I have had some rather keen SA's who ended up helping me. I was in a Gap store in a mall and had picked out a beautiful spring skirt last spring when this SA came up to me and said something to the effect that now that I had chosen a skirt would I like her help picking out some coordinating tops for my wife. With a very straight face, I looked her right in the eye and said, "What makes you think these are for my wife? What if they are for me?" Her response: "well, let's get busy finding you what you need." And, that is exactly what we did -- she was a great help and the shopping trip was an extremely pleaurable experience!!!

[Jodi]

A couple of years ago, I was shopping in a J. Crew store. I had selected a skirt and was looking for a matching top. An SA came to me to help. She mentioned several colors. I told her I was a cd and to look at my color hue. She smiled and said, "I've never helped a crossdresser before". My reply was, "Ten minutes from now, you won't be able to say that". She gave a big smile and laugh and said "let's go". If you handle it with confidence, you will get more help than you can handle.

Jodi

[Denise01]

When I shop, I am usually at least an hour and half or more from Home, as there are no Ladies stores in the area where i live.

I have not taken the position, If I can not try it on , I will not buy it.

While I am normally Femme when I am shopping, i have been drab, as well and have had no problems with trying clothes on in the store

Denise

[MentalMercury]

younger one here.. 21, first post too

Reminds me of a story of mine. I recently went on a short vacation. me, my bro, my mom, and her friend all went to the mall while we were there. I have a friend that my mom absolutely adores, so she wanted to get something for her, so she had me pick out skirts for her becuase I would know what she would like (more like I know what I like, haha). After I picked them out I was so extremely jealous of my friend that I took the car and went back there later on my own and got the same two for me. While I was waiting in like a girl behind me said "aww you're getting those for your girlfriend?" I smiled, laughed, and said yes. This was my first time buying girl's clothes on my own, I did it becuase I knew I'd never see these people again, I got one just my size and one wayy to small. I realized after I got back in the car. The girl there let me exchange it no problem, she must've known by then though, oh well, it was worth it.

[Jodi]

Just a point to remember on returns. I say this from working as an SA at both New York & Co and The Limited. Make sure you have your receipt. A return is easy with a receipt. Without the receipt, they might take it back, but you will have to deal with the manager. You will have to show ID and fill out a personal data form. It is at the discretion of the store manager as to whether to give back cash or give a store credit for another purchase.

Also, if the purchase was made on a credit card, it must be returned for credit on that card. You can't get cash if the item was bought on a credit card.

If you paid cash and you are expecting to return something with a receipt, you must deal with the manager to get cash back. Any cash return, requires picture ID and filling out the personal data form.

Exchanges are very easy. Just return the item and get the new size or color.

The above policies are in place to reduce scamming. People will shoplift and attempt to return without a receipt. People will also buy a NY & Co item at TJ MAXX or Gabriels and attempt to return it at full price. BTW, that is the reason that the labels are removed or defaced on garments at TJ Maxx and Gabe's.

I could go on and on about all the scams that are tried in a store. If you honestly bought the item and need to return or exchange it, you will have no problem. Just remember to have your receipt and creditcard (if needed) with you.

Jodi

[Glenda58]

Yes once when I didn't dress and shop I had bought a dress and return it said the wife didn't like the gift I got her. Now I shop and try things on before I buy more fun that way you can try on things you know you won't buy just to see how they fit and look.

[EricaCD]

If en femme, I prefer to try on and confirm it fits.

If in drab, then I keep the receipt and it the fit is not right I will not hesitate to promptly return it. I have never had a problem and, so far as I can tell, have not even gotten a strange look when doing so.

Erica