Alpha Shark Tags-5 , Wardrobing-4 , Return Fraud-4
Shark Tags Help Balance Return Policy With Customer Service
Returns are a necessary evil when it comes to the retail business. There is a fine line between being a pushover and being too strict on customers that need to make a return. Businesses have to fight return fraud, but they have to maintain exemplary service in order to keep loyal customers. Wardrobing is the one particular type of return fraud that is considered to be the most heinous. That is where people purchase an item with the full intention of returning it. Basically, they want to “rent” what they want or need for free. Then they use the store’s return policy against them by having all the requirements like the original receipts, packaging, and price tags with the item. But of course, the store cannot resell the merchandise because it has been clearly used.
I am an avid online shopper. (I am excitedly waiting for a pair of shoes I just ordered a few days ago.) I have seen all kinds of return policies, and some are pretty stuff. I have seen restocking fees that range from 10% all the way up to 20% of the original purchase price for a return. Some stores require the customer to request a return authorization number within a certain number of days after receiving the item. Many times the customer has to pay for the return shipping if they bought the item online. I was looking at dresses for my daughter at a couple online dealers and most of them have posted they do not accept returns under any circumstances. That seems a little harsh. If I buy a dress online, I expect to be able to return it if it gets here and the sizing isn’t correct! But I get where these business are coming from. Wardrobing is a huge problem for retailers that sell formal wear. Many surveys put return fraud as one of the top of theft issues clothing retailers face.
Not to sound too cliché, but someone had to take a bite out of this type of crime. That problem is probably one reason the Alpha Shark Tag was invented. This is a nifty little tag that clips directly to an item or can be attached via lanyard. Many retailers that utilize the Alpha Shark Tag also use it to clip on a small copy of the return policy. The problem with wardrobing is the customer comes back with a wrinkled, soiled, smelly, spotted and stained garment they wore to go out on the town and they are now standing at the counter expecting a full refund. The store can no longer sell this item so they lose the original sale and the inventory. The purpose of the Alpha Shark Tag is to dissuade the buyer from attempting wardrobing. They are informed at the time of purchase that the tag must remain on the dress or other garment. It will not be removed by the clerk like most other tags on clothing. It is designed to be removed at home with a simple pair of household scissors. Once removed, however, the item is no longer eligible for any type of refund. It is important to note that the Alpha Shark Tag is meant to be clipped onto a very prominent area of the garment in order to discourage the customer from trying to wear it anyway. Instead of changing your return policy to a bunch of strict rules that punishes your loyal customers, try Alpha Shark Tags instead. Your customers will appreciate it.
For more information on how to stop Alpha Shark Tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
Returns are a necessary evil when it comes to the retail business. There is a fine line between being a pushover and being too strict on customers that need to make a return. Businesses have to fight return fraud, but they have to maintain exemplary service in order to keep loyal customers. Wardrobing is the one particular type of return fraud that is considered to be the most heinous. That is where people purchase an item with the full intention of returning it. Basically, they want to “rent” what they want or need for free. Then they use the store’s return policy against them by having all the requirements like the original receipts, packaging, and price tags with the item. But of course, the store cannot resell the merchandise because it has been clearly used.
I am an avid online shopper. (I am excitedly waiting for a pair of shoes I just ordered a few days ago.) I have seen all kinds of return policies, and some are pretty stuff. I have seen restocking fees that range from 10% all the way up to 20% of the original purchase price for a return. Some stores require the customer to request a return authorization number within a certain number of days after receiving the item. Many times the customer has to pay for the return shipping if they bought the item online. I was looking at dresses for my daughter at a couple online dealers and most of them have posted they do not accept returns under any circumstances. That seems a little harsh. If I buy a dress online, I expect to be able to return it if it gets here and the sizing isn’t correct! But I get where these business are coming from. Wardrobing is a huge problem for retailers that sell formal wear. Many surveys put return fraud as one of the top of theft issues clothing retailers face.
Not to sound too cliché, but someone had to take a bite out of this type of crime. That problem is probably one reason the Alpha Shark Tag was invented. This is a nifty little tag that clips directly to an item or can be attached via lanyard. Many retailers that utilize the Alpha Shark Tag also use it to clip on a small copy of the return policy. The problem with wardrobing is the customer comes back with a wrinkled, soiled, smelly, spotted and stained garment they wore to go out on the town and they are now standing at the counter expecting a full refund. The store can no longer sell this item so they lose the original sale and the inventory. The purpose of the Alpha Shark Tag is to dissuade the buyer from attempting wardrobing. They are informed at the time of purchase that the tag must remain on the dress or other garment. It will not be removed by the clerk like most other tags on clothing. It is designed to be removed at home with a simple pair of household scissors. Once removed, however, the item is no longer eligible for any type of refund. It is important to note that the Alpha Shark Tag is meant to be clipped onto a very prominent area of the garment in order to discourage the customer from trying to wear it anyway. Instead of changing your return policy to a bunch of strict rules that punishes your loyal customers, try Alpha Shark Tags instead. Your customers will appreciate it.
For more information on how to stop Alpha Shark Tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
