How many times have you seen a movie or sitcom where a woman plans to buy a garment for a big event and return it for a refund afterward. She spends the whole evening trying not to spill something on herself, but inevitably ends up having some comical accident that causes her to be stuck with it instead. In the movies, it is pretty predictable that she won’t be able to return the outfit, but the not so funny truth is that this happens to retailers in the real world. The official term for people that purchase, wear, and return a garment (on purpose, not because the item is defective) is “wardrober”, and it’s not funny when it happens to your business.
Clothing Security, especially for a small retailer that may specialize in formal wear, is essential and must include a refund policy that addresses these types of scammers. It is not a feasible business model to have people purchase outfits and accessories for their big event from your store, and then return the merchandise for a full refund the next day. I am ashamed to say that my own niece made a remark to me about doing just this thing with her prom dress this year. She simply could not afford the dress she had picked out, and her intention was to wear it to the dance, change right afterward, and take it back to the store. She planned to tell them it was terribly uncomfortable and she did not want to keep it. I told her she needed to find a more affordable option at the store or buy from somewhere else. I had bought my wedding dress from these people, and I told her I would call the store myself and tell them not to take her purchase back if she went through with it. Thankfully, she found a dress she could buy and keep, before time for the big dance.
If your business deals with these types of returns, there is something you can do to reduce them. The Alpha Shark Tag can be a new addition to your refund policy, and it could save you from having to deal with people trying this tactic. These are simple gadgets, that look like a small clothes pin, and attach to the garment without any damage to the product. You can have them pre-attached to the inventory, as they do not impede the customer trying on the item, or the way it fits. Your store can also choose to attach the Alpha Shark Tag at the time of purchase. You can even have small printed copies of your store’s refund policy, and attach them to the garment with the pins of the tag. The customer is immediately made aware that they cannot return the item for a full refund unless the brightly colored tag is still fully attached.
This ingenious tag is designed to be removed at home, by the consumer, with just a pair of scissors. It also is designed so that it cannot be put back on once removed without visible signs of being tampered with. Alpha Shark Tags attach easily to the front of the dress or other clothing item, usually near the neckline. They are a strong, clearly visible deterrent to someone that is contemplating the scam of buying and wearing the merchandise to the planned event only to return it afterward. Someone planning to try this at your store will likely change their mind once they realize they cannot remove the Shark Tag.
For more information contact us: Clothingsecurity.net or call 1.770.814.0547
