Why do stores in America have a return policy?

Question

I know from vacation shopping in Hong Kong and other countries that they usually have a no return policy and sometimes no exchange policy even. I know that stores in America have return policies to encourage more consumerism and shopping. However if they want to prevent return fraud or issues like that, can't they just have a no return policy and in return, they don't loose as much money due to return fraud. You can argue that, again, that return policies encourage shopping but I can see other countries functioning fantastically with a no return policy.

What do you think of no return policies and do you believe stores in America should have one? Unless the product has a flaw or something, I can understand the usage of exchange instead.

Answer 1

actually, just as many nations do have return policies. I can name over a dozen offhand

you may have been dealing with the grey market

Answer 2

Because we coddle the consumer.

"Customer is always right" spoils us into thinking we can get away with anything in retail.

WalMart for example...

Loses money by people stealing products and then returning them.  But they still think that keeping customers and that image is far more profitable then cracking down on those types of things.

Answer 3

We are consumer focused and it's smart for business.  I've returned many items and have ending up spending even more money, just because I was in the store.  Very simple ....get them in the store.  

Answer 4

They have return policies to make nice with their customers.

I have no opinion whether they ought to have these policies - it's not my money at risk.

Answer 5

A return policy is just smart business. People generally will spend more money than they did on their initial trip. It all averages out.

Answer 6

I can totally understand where you're coming from!!! I have actually known people [a very long time ago] that would steal high-priced items and return them to the store for CASH. I thought that was absolutely crazy!!! I couldn't believe that the stores would take back these kind of things and just hand over the cash. For a minute there I thought....boy, did I pick the wrong line of work!!! [LoL...ok. I'm totally joking]

Honestly, I think I'd definitely think twice about purchasing something from a store that didn't have a return policy. I rarely have to exchange or return something but if I needed to and couldn't...I'd probably be a bit frustrated. I have seen a few stores that don't accept returns and I guess if it's made knows to the consumer before their purchase, it's a "buy at your own risk" kind of thing and that's just a decision you have to make!!