eBay

lotzofuniquegoodies · ‎10-17-2020

For your viewing ummm pleasure? Or the things that make a shopper say hmmm?

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/marketplace-amazon-returns-1.5753714

Full Episode:

https://gem.cbc.ca/media/marketplace/season-48/episode-1/38e815a-0133f7c424e

Season 48 Episode 2 addresses perils of Google searches/company reviews.

-Lotz

richardcm · ‎10-17-2020

I read the CBC marketplace story also I get a weekly update from them. I often wondered about Amazon returns. Such a high percentage of returns.

I bought a few things online from merchants with stores near me. I had to return some because I bought the wrong item or it did not work as described (at not my interpretation of the description and pictures). I must be running at 10-15% returns. But I bring them back to the local store for refund. Without a good look at the item physically very difficult to judge if the item online is what you want.

Most purchases are for items I know or have purchased before. I do curbside pickup so not true online shopping with shipping.

lotzofuniquegoodies · ‎10-17-2020

@richardcm

The episode was a total eye opener. I had no idea that sort of thing goes on. Just wonder how it affects a buyers mindset seeing something like that when it comes to making returns on eBay and other platforms. As for in person returns there is more room for an actual discussion of the problems/concerns that may be involved vs eBay.

When something gets returned to a store with an actual defect, how many times does it end up back on the shelf/ written off or get returned to the supplier? When I started in retail one of my bonus-jobs involved ripping the covers off discontinued books and breaking records...Real records....with a shovel and then disposing. Personally thought, very wasteful but an awesome way to get out one's frustrations and a good workout.

-Lotz

femmefan1946 · ‎10-17-2020

The books one is because the publisher wants proof that the book is not sold, but does not want the cost of return shipping for unsaleable merchandise.

There is a third option for returned (and other unsold) merchandise-- the "junior department store" and the "clearance centre".

A friend told me her first job at BiWay (remember them?) was removing the Eaton's tags from snowsuits and adding the BiWay tags, turning $100 snowsuits into $25 suits.

And Winners belongs to The Bay, although a lot of their stuff is made for them with high-end labels but lower quality.

lotzofuniquegoodies · ‎10-17-2020

@femmefan1946

It was explained but at the time it still didn't make rational sense. They weren't even allowed to sell to staff at a discounted rate.

I remember Bi-Way, Kreske's(KMart), Woolworths, Metropolitan, Consumers Distributing and others. I worked for Towers. Now everyone has bought up their competition and just competing with themselves. The number of businesses that have gone under in the last 20 to 30 years boggles the mind. I miss all the restaurants that have gone under. Sadly, more to follow!!!

-Lotz

Eaton's? Who was that? 🙂