[Victoria]

I’m curious to know how many people actually buy an item either planned or an impulse buy and when you decide that it’s not exactly what you want, do you actually return it or just take the hit and keep it?

Some people prefer returning items to get their money back or exchange them, while others find the return process too much hassle and end up keeping unwanted purchases.

What do you usually do, and why?

[Sarah]

I leave everything in my basket for 24 hours before buying. It’s amazing how little I actually buy.

[Katie]

Depends on the item. If it’s a food like a novelty type cookie I’ll just take the loss. If it’s an item that’s supposed to function and I don’t like it, or it doesn’t work as expected I will return.

Beauty products are hit or miss – sometimes I can’t return because they are used but if I feel extremely misled by the product I will politely insist on a return it anyways (like a lipstick that looks completely different from the tube and they didn’t give an option to try before I buy).

[Karen]

I return it unless I used it. If I used it and it doesn’t work right I will also return it.

[Annette]

I don’t impulse buy and return if I’m not satisfied in any way.

[Jude]

Some retailers track how much you return to discourage using then returning.

[Shawna]

I used to always take the loss. Kudos to those that are diligent on returning things! I hope to get better at it. I recognize that as my own flaw and it’s a struggle for me.

What I do now is buy close to nothing outside of necessities and meaningful experiences (a nice dinner once in a while or a weekend getaway.)

When I think I need something I may not actually need, I wait.

If I get over needing it, I skip it. Fun fact, if you leave something in your Amazon cart and it goes on sale, you’ll get an alert.

[Jess]

100% of the time I will return an item we decide not to keep. That said, we generally speaking don’t buy on impulse.

[Cameron]

100% are planned out for me there’s hiccups with quality control and or seller problems misdicribing something took a couple days got a partial refund happy about that better for both ends iteam is usable but description and colors where off

[Callie]

Depends on what it is, how expensive it was, and how hard it is to return it.

I live 90 miles from the nearest department store and 45 minutes from UPS to send something back to Amazon, so…

I try not to return things or buy stuff I won’t want tomorrow.

[Lia]

I find that both planned and impulse buying online is so much easier, but I return the items. Covid unfortunately has changed the way I shop.

I realized buying online has become my window shopping.

I miss being able to physically compare items to determine the quality.

Going shopping also helped by having the time to think about needing vs wanting something while walking around.

Also, I feel guilty knowing I can’t afford it.

[Lisa]

If I decide as soon as I bring something home that it’s not exactly what I want, I return it. If I’ve used it more than a couple days I’d take the hit and keep it.

I would probably deal with it for a while and hope I learned my lesson….

maybe eventually pawn it off on a friend or relative who wants one if possible and get the one I want.

[Cynthia]

I once returned a new dress after months of not wearing it. I do a 30 day rule now.

You don’t always get back what you paid if you wait longer than usual.

I’ve never worn and returned.

[Vicky]

I used to love returning things. Probably more than buying the item. Now I try not to buy anything except necessities so it’s rare that I get to return anything.

[Sherry]

Return it.
Stave off impulse buying by preventing the cause. Avoid purchasing anything under pressure.

Plan ahead so you’re not caught wanting or needing something in a pinch.

Get in the habit of taking snacks with you.

[Kimberly]

I keep everything untill they’re no longer working. If there is something that I want, it takes me a long time to actually buy it.

More often than not, I decide that I dont reslly need it.

[Kody]

Used to keep it-now I make sure to figure out if I want it before the return deadline.

Just returned something to Amazon tonight.

[Tiffany]

All of my purchases are pretty planned and well researched. I don’t really take chances ordering online unless I know I will like the item.

So, I never return because it’s not exactly what I want.

However, if it’s damaged or they shipped the wrong item/color or any error, I will return 100%.

[Darla]

I despise returning items, therefore, I don’t make purchases that I’m unsure about. To say I’m decisive would be an understatement. If it’s not on my list, I don’t buy it.

No impulse items for us because I budget to the penny. I keep 1 month’s expenses in the checking account.

Anything greater than the minimum at the end of the month, I move to a HYSA.

At 55, I can recall 1 item I returned in 31 years of marriage.

I ordered an item using e-commerce and it was significantly damaged in shipping, therefore it was returned and our money was refunded.

Most of our personal shopping is done online, not in stores.

[Candice]

I research before I buy anything. For example, I needed a small sling bag and I’ve been eyeing one for a year now.

Recently, (a week ago) I bought the bag and I love it! Holds everything without the bulk of my daily backpack.

[Jenny]

I return things that I find are poor quality. If I find stitching isn’t holding together it goes back!

[Sarah]

It depends on how expensive it is and the effort it takes to return it. I try to research in advance and make sure I know the specks I want and who has it the cheapest.

If it turns out to be a dud, and it was $30 or less, I’m less likely to return it unless the store is on route to work.

[Anne]

It all depends. Was the item costly? Was it poor quality? Was it something I really needed?

There are many reasons to buy an item but there are also many reasons I might return or exchange an item.

[Joanne]

I typically don’t do many impulse buys, I try to think about it for a few days before buying to make sure I want it.

If I don’t like it or change my mind up on receiving it from an online purchase, I usually try to return it for a refund.

In store, if I change my mind and it’s unused, I take it back for a refund

[Author]

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