As a business owner interested in keeping my customers happy, the following are my top 10 suggestions on how to smoothly manage your gift returns:
1. Keep the item in its original packaging including box, plastic sleeve and information cardboard.
2. Go to the company's website and follow the company's return policy. If it says return with 10 days of purchase and you're not sure when it was paid for, write the company that this was a Christmas gift. Most companies will give you the benefit of the doubt.
3. Before shipping, take a photo of the item in it's original packaging so you have a record of the condition of the item before it was shipped. In our case, we photograph all items before they are shipped from our end so we know the condition of the item before it leaves here.
4. Include your name, address, email and phone number on a slip of paper inside the box asking for either a credit or exchange for the item.
5. Ship the item with a tracking number so you can confirm the item was safely received.
6. Some companies require a "return authorization" number prior to you sending the item back. Again, check the company's return policy and if you need to call them for the return authorization number before you ship, please do so. I also keep a record of the number and the date when I ship the item.
7. After you confirm receipt of the item, call the company to finalize how you want the return processed. Some companies only credit the original credit card; others will only give you merchandise credit so check their return policy before calling.
8. If this was a gift from a family member, send a written thank you note and explain if the size was off, etc. If you just didn't like it, thank them anyway and don't say anything else. In this case, it is the thought that counts.
9. Please don't "temporarily use" an item, return it after the return period and then demand a full credit. Most items show wear and most companies, especially small businesses, want to keep a good relationship with customers but this approach is basically fraud.
10. As you make your purchases, if you're not sure the gift will fit or may otherwise need to be traded, ask about the return policy and add that to the gift card. That way the return can be managed smoothly!
Charlotte
Bluebird Gardens: custom quilts, gifts, gardening
Bluebird Gardens Quilts and Gifts Blog
Bluebird Gardens Quilts and Gifts on Facebook
Bluebird Gardens Etsy Shop
Bluebird Gardens Twitter
Gardening to Distraction on a MO Hill
1. Keep the item in its original packaging including box, plastic sleeve and information cardboard. 2. Go to the company's website and follow the company's return policy. If it says return with 10 days of purchase and you're not sure when it was paid for, write the company that this was a Christmas gift. Most companies will give you the benefit of the doubt.
3. Before shipping, take a photo of the item in it's original packaging so you have a record of the condition of the item before it was shipped. In our case, we photograph all items before they are shipped from our end so we know the condition of the item before it leaves here.
4. Include your name, address, email and phone number on a slip of paper inside the box asking for either a credit or exchange for the item.
5. Ship the item with a tracking number so you can confirm the item was safely received.
6. Some companies require a "return authorization" number prior to you sending the item back. Again, check the company's return policy and if you need to call them for the return authorization number before you ship, please do so. I also keep a record of the number and the date when I ship the item.
7. After you confirm receipt of the item, call the company to finalize how you want the return processed. Some companies only credit the original credit card; others will only give you merchandise credit so check their return policy before calling.
8. If this was a gift from a family member, send a written thank you note and explain if the size was off, etc. If you just didn't like it, thank them anyway and don't say anything else. In this case, it is the thought that counts.
9. Please don't "temporarily use" an item, return it after the return period and then demand a full credit. Most items show wear and most companies, especially small businesses, want to keep a good relationship with customers but this approach is basically fraud.
10. As you make your purchases, if you're not sure the gift will fit or may otherwise need to be traded, ask about the return policy and add that to the gift card. That way the return can be managed smoothly!
Charlotte
Bluebird Gardens: custom quilts, gifts, gardening
Bluebird Gardens Quilts and Gifts Blog
Bluebird Gardens Quilts and Gifts on Facebook
Bluebird Gardens Etsy Shop
Bluebird Gardens Twitter
Gardening to Distraction on a MO Hill
