Buyer beware

I can admit it: I like to return things. As an impatient person, I often prefer to buy a bunch of items at, say, H&M, where I generally know my size, instead of waiting in an agonizingly long line to try things on. If something doesn't fit, no problem! I keep the tags on and bring it back and no harm done.

Due to this propensity, I am pretty opposed to establishments that only offer store credit for returns. Who do they think they are! First of all, what exactly is this policy about? If you require me to keep the tags on something, and I bring it back to you evidently unworn, how is that any different from trying it on in a dressing room?

In any event, since it is against the grain for most retailers these days, is it too much to ask that if you employ a credit-only policy that you make it very abundantly clear to your customers before you make a sale? Put up a giant sign at the register. Train your salespeople accordingly. But please don't bury it in the fine print of a receipt I will only see after you've taken my hard-earned pennies for your $150 embroidered sweatshirt!

This policy is significantly more absurd in an online context. If I don't even have the opportunity to try somethign on, what gives you, HauteLook.com, the right to hang on to my cash when your size four Diane von Furstenberg dress arrives and drapes over me like a size eight? It seems ridiculous to force me to gamble like this just to buy mid-level designer clothing at a discount. Now I basically have a non-interest-bearing checking account with you, with funds that can only be withdrawn for, say, a marked-down pair of Joe's Jeans. For shame.

Anyone want a $138 credit....?