Omaha daily bee., 1916-02-04
The Return Goods Evil
A Growing Abuse
James W. nEstoaIfs,


greatest "ev" in merchandising This privilege or
what is now known the United States over as an
evil has TO do with the return Of merchandise.
The privilege" OF returning merchandise was
started years by one of Americas leading retail
and accorded at first to only few special
customers. found that in this way sales were
increased. and from that time the privilege
such extent that not only in his store out
In nearly every America It granted uni
versay.
The demand for service" in all lines Of business
has grown amazingly in the last few years, and with
this demand the cost OF doing business In
other line OF business has the cost Increased so
steadily II has among the retailers About three
years the retailers in cities where there were as
sociations began Investigations for the purpose OF
trying to reduce the OF doing business by stop
ping the numerous leaks"
Cleveland. o.. believe was the first city to
investigate the cost the merchant OF the return
of goods evil with this investigation the association
Immediately got together and adopted certain rules
which would tend TO lessen the "abuse" Since that
time nearly all retail associations have begun 10 take
up the question. ST. Louis Denver. Louisville, Gin
cInnau. Chicago and San Francisco have all adopted
plan either stop the evil entirely.
In Denver merchants have adopted the rule that no
goods 20 be sent out approval or to be re-
turned unless returned in original paclSings
accompanied by the sales slip and the same day
that they taken from the store In other words.
the return privilege" in Denver is a thing Of the
past
The retailers who hold membership in the Assoc
ciated Retailers of Omaha have not as yet adopted
any iron-clad rule this question. but they are
making up list OF people who they know to be
abusers OF this privilege" and these names will be
handed TO another and the parties will be denied
this privilege in the future.
All retailers will admit that the abuse has
grown not so much through the fault Of customers
through the desire OF the clerks the make
a good showing in sales In fact, in thousands II
where the customer would wsver. the clerk
would make the following suggestions: May we not
send the article TO your home for your further con-
sderaon7 You may take It home and then II 1t does
not suit you bring Il back" The retail stores
themselves have educated the buying public in this
way. and since the privilege has grown to an "evii'
the retailer must now educate his customers to a
realization OF the absolute unferness OF the practice
as INDUCED In by OF their customers.
The president Of a retail dry goods store in st
Louis store that does a 50 900 business year
made the statement that before st. Louis adopted
their rulings account OF the great abuse
OF the return goods privilege in his store that he
was virtually in the secondhand business One OF
leading CLOAK and suit houses in the west admit
ted that their books would show that S7ls per
cent OF goods sold were returned TO them.
All who are abusers Of this privilege" do not
abuse II knowingly instance where this office
has been compelled to write TO lady whose record
among the stores that she returned between So
and 20 per cent of the goods she purchased,
SURPRISE saying that she knew that the
stores wagons wero out her way every day and that
Il did not cost the stores anything TO have them stop
at house either leave take back the goods.
But the number that knowingly and willfuliy abuse"
the 'prfvfege' II the increase and In justice TO
the good customer who wishes 10 buy fresh goods
the retailer Is compelled TO do all in his power &c
check this "ovs;." I have gathered together a few
examples OF tho great injustice being done TO the
stores by some OF the Omaha patrons The return
of goods and the ~send out approval" customers
great deal more numerous In the womens
an
other line
From furniture house we received this example:
"A customer bought expensive dining room table.
After having had Il four five days, she called up
and asked to send for It for the that It
| was too large. On its return we found cup marks
| on the table. which would indicate that m was
merely purchased for the use Of a day or two. An
other instance; mother accompanied by her little
daughter requested that rug be sent out APP
prevail" This was on wednesday. Her little girl who
| was with her at the time. said. why. mother. we
don't have the party till Thursday"
The following incident occurred in St. Louis store:
In opening the mail morning they found the fol-
| lowing letter;
S:. s 4 :'1n SE three 6s s7 sa
Hats bought the 18th OF the month returned on
| the s0th. Out fourteen days
IAfe furnishes this witticsm showing how general
| tho evil"
Lady Customer, You told me yesterday. when
1
day counter fun OF them Yes said the floor
walker, we selling those that went out
| approval"
| An investigation OF the accounts Of charge Gus
toners for period OF one year made the following
showing in one store;
Some returned 100 per cent
More returned 70 per cant
Stin more returned 30 per cent
The privilege OF returning merchandise IL ex-
tended by the stores TO the customer a matter OF
convenience. II Is useful for customers when inte-
gently properly and fairly employed. But II is a
| great injury and bad for the stores when 1t 's
abused
The Omaha stores not abused by their Gus
| toners much those In other cities But
| the abuse" Is great enough here that were
they 20 report every day, It would take several
columns OF your paper TO print the months record
In the past month we have had reported one
| woman who had sent TO her house approval 500
dinner set. Used that night and returned next day
with trivial excuse. Another had sent out
a very handsome Turkish rug ON the evening II was
| sent there was a reception held az her home. Two
| days afterward the firm asked 20 cali tor the
rug the eoorngs did not suit the other furnish
| inEs. Another woman, during a shrtwaist sale in
town had several waists 'sent out approval from
| and ar ha-