Are You Loaning Clothes Due To Return Fraud? Alpha Shark Tags Strengthen Return Policies

Alpha Shark Tag – 4                                                                                                                                WC blog 90
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Are You Loaning Clothes Due To Return Fraud?  Alpha Shark Tags Strengthen Return Policies
     Do you own a clothing store and worry about return fraud?   Perhaps you don’t worry about it because you don’t ever take back any clothing items that don’t have the tags on them.  Maybe you don’t take back any clothes without a receipt.  It may be that you have a two week return policy and you are strict in adhering to the policy, no exceptions will be tolerated.  I would like to suggest that while you may believe you have some good policies in place, there are ways for those who want to commit return fraud to sneak stuff past you.  There are also things you as a retailer can do to prevent return fraud, the best option being the use of Alpha Shark Tags.
     What is an Alpha Shark Tag?  It is a plastic, brightly colored tag that is pinned to a garment by clipping it together.  Once it is snapped shut it can’t be removed without cutting it off.  It can only be used once, and the customer discards the tag when they get home and decide they want to keep the merchandise.  How does this help you, the business owner?  You put in place a return policy that clearly states the merchandise cannot be returned if the Alpha Shark Tag is removed.  The company that makes the tags also has a small hang label that may be attached with the tag that explains this policy for you.
         One of the more difficult forms of return fraud for retailers to prevent is wardrobing fraud.  This occurs when the customer purchases clothing and wears it then returns it for a full refund.  The person who is wardrobing is removing the clothing tags from the garment or possibly hiding the tags, then wearing the clothing out that night or day.  After wearing the item the tags are reattached and the item goes back to the merchant.  In most instances, since the tags are in place and the customer has a receipt, the item is refunded.   
     Now as fantastic as this may sound, you are probably asking how a customer can reattach their own clothing tags and price labels.   A little internet shopping and I found I can purchase a tag attachment gun from Amazon for as little as $10.79!  The plastic “hangers” that the gun uses can be purchased at any office supply store.  What a great scam!  I could come to your store, purchase a new suit, tie and shirt and leave.  I get home, remove the tags from the clothing and wear it for a night out with my wife.  When I am done with the suit, I reattach the tags with my $10.79 attachment gun and return it to your store with my receipt.  My reason for the return?  I just wasn’t satisfied and no, nothing is wrong with it, thank you very much.  You may just credit it back to my credit card.  Now consider the same situation, but this time you had Alpha Shark Tags on the garments I purchased.  If I were to cut off the Shark Tag, you aren’t going to take back the return and if I leave them on, I would look really silly wearing the suit out to dinner.  
     Does this really happen?  You bet it does.  There are people who do this for a living.  They like the image of wearing new clothes to work, or for a night out and never having to be seen in the same outfit twice.  Why bother with a clothing rental store when they can get their clothes for free and return them within the limits set by the store?  Do the clothes ever have odors or stains from food or make-up on them?  Yes, they do occasionally and some of the bigger retailers will still return the items and take the loss when they defect the clothes or mark them out of stock.  
     Don’t allow yourself to be the victim of return fraud.  Begin using Alpha Shark Tags on ALL your clothing items and stop being an unwitting target of those involved in wardrobing. Your good customers will appreciate buying new, unused merchandise and the ones who are defrauding you will take their business elsewhere.
For more information on Alpha Shark Tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
     

Do you own a clothing store and worry about return fraud? Perhaps you don’t worry about it because you don’t ever take back any clothing items that don’t have the tags on them. Maybe you don’t take back any clothes without a receipt. It may be that you have a two week return policy and you are strict in adhering to the policy, no exceptions will be tolerated. I would like to suggest that while you may believe you have some good policies in place, there are ways for those who want to commit return fraud to sneak stuff past you. There are also things you as a retailer can do to prevent return fraud, the best option being the use of Alpha Shark Tags.

 

What is an Alpha Shark Tag? It is a plastic, brightly colored tag that is pinned to a garment by clipping it together. Once it is snapped shut it can’t be removed without cutting it off. It can only be used once, and the customer discards the tag when they get home and decide they want to keep the merchandise. How does this help you, the business owner? You put in place a return policy that clearly states the merchandise cannot be returned if the Alpha Shark Tag is removed. 

 

One of the more difficult forms of return fraud for retailers to prevent is wardrobing fraud. This occurs when the customer purchases clothing and wears it then returns it for a full refund. The person who is wardrobing is removing the clothing tags from the garment or possibly hiding the tags, then wearing the clothing out that night or day. After wearing the item the tags are reattached and the item goes back to the merchant. In most instances, since the tags are in place and the customer has a receipt, the item is refunded.   

     

Now as fantastic as this may sound, you are probably asking how a customer can reattach their own clothing tags and price labels.  A little internet shopping and I found I can purchase a tag attachment gun from Amazon for as little as $10.79! The plastic “hangers” that the gun uses can be purchased at any office supply store. What a great scam! I could come to your store, purchase a new suit, tie and shirt and leave. I get home, remove the tags from the clothing and wear it for a night out with my wife. When I am done with the suit, I reattach the tags with my $10.79 attachment gun and return it to your store with my receipt. My reason for the return? I just wasn’t satisfied and no, nothing is wrong with it, thank you very much. You may just credit it back to my credit card. Now consider the same situation, but this time you had Alpha Shark Tags on the garments I purchased. If I were to cut off the Shark Tag, you aren’t going to take back the return and if I leave them on, I would look really silly wearing the suit out to dinner.  
     

Does this really happen? You bet it does. There are people who do this for a living. They like the image of wearing new clothes to work, or for a night out and never having to be seen in the same outfit twice. Why bother with a clothing rental store when they can get their clothes for free and return them within the limits set by the store? Do the clothes ever have odors or stains from food or make-up on them? Yes, they do occasionally and some of the bigger retailers will still return the items and take the loss when they defect the clothes or mark them out of stock.  
   

 Don’t allow yourself to be the victim of return fraud. Begin using Alpha Shark Tags on ALL your clothing items and stop being an unwitting target of those involved in wardrobing. Your good customers will appreciate buying new, unused merchandise and the ones who are defrauding you will take their business elsewhere.


For more information on Alpha Shark Tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547