At our grocery store, we are able to accept returns without a receipt. As long as the item isn’t used, we can only exchange the item. If its our store brand then we can take it without any question because of its satisfaction guarantee. However, some items need to be accompanied with a receipt because it lets us know if the item was actually purchased from our store. There are many things we sale that many of our grocery clerks are unaware of and that is why a receipt is necessary…
I answer a call from the checkstand…
Me: Thanks for calling your neighborhood grocery store, how may I help you?
Didn’t Dig the Dispenser: I need to make a return.
Me: What is it that you have to return?
Didn’t Dig the Dispenser: A soda dispenser.
Me: [confused] Soda dispenser?
Didn’t Dig the Dispenser: Uh yeah…
Me: I don’t think we sell stuff like that here.
Didn’t Dig the Dispenser: Yes, you do. I bought it from your store.
Me: Do you have a receipt?
Didn’t Dig the Dispenser: No.
Me: [confused] A soda dispenser?
Didn’t Dig the Dispenser: Yeah, I don’t want it anymore.
I’m having this conversation while checking out customers and even they’re laughing. I’m thinking maybe she means a soda.
Me: What brand is it?
Didn’t Dig the Dispenser: Jok something.
Me: I’m pretty sure we don’t sell that brand here.
Didn’t Dig the Dispenser: This is stupid. I want to return it!
Me: Ma’am I can’t do anything without a receipt and we can’t take back returns for something we don’t sell.
Click! She hangs up…
CD the Grocery Clerk: What was that about?
Me: Some lady said she wants to return a soda dispenser and she doesn’t have a receipt. I told her we can’t take back anything we don’t sell.
CD the Grocery Clerk: HAHAHA! That’s hilarious! Should have told her we don’t sell soda dispensers. We sell espresso machines!
Me: HAHAHAHA!
CD the Grocery Clerk: HAHAHAHA! Better yet, since she doesn’t have a receipt, she can exchange it for the cotton candy machine on aisle 7!
Me: HAHAHAHAHA!
CD the Grocery Clerk: HAHAHAHAHA!
She calls back and I answer…
Didn’t Dig the Dispenser: I want to talk to the manager!
Me: I’m the manager for the night.
Click! She hangs up again!
CD the Grocery Clerk: HAHAHAHA! Was that her again? You should definitely put this on the blog!
Me: HAHAHAHA! You know I will!
About 45 minutes go by and CD the Grocery Clerk calls for me on the intercom…
CD the Grocery Clerk: Uh, Paul. That soda dispenser lady is here…
Me: HAHAHA! Really? I’ll be right there.
I’m walking towards CD the Grocery Clerk and he has this long look on his face…
CD the Grocery Clerk: This is what she’s returning…
I apologized profusely to her and gave her a cash refund for her troubles, despite not having a receipt.
Shame on us.
Have you had any problems returning something to the store?
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
LOL, I wonder if she’ll ever shop there again!
I don’t think I’ve ever had to return anything to a grocery store. What irritates the shit out of me is when you do have a receipt and the retail store will only allow an exchange, not cash back. I just vow to never give them my business again.
I called once because some fish I bought that day was spoiled. The manager was nice about it and agreed that I didn’t need to bring the actual stinky fish back. The next time I was in, he just refunded my money. But I think that’s the only grocery item I’ve ever returned.
Every time I returned anything, there was never a problem, they stared at my breasts and cheerfully exchanged the item or refunded, usually I exchange.
Secretia
Ah, the joy of the English language. Funny stuff.
You know, that was a completely understandable mix-up. I surely hope she wasn’t pissy about it. Why call over something so small anyway? Just take it back the next time you go….it’s a freakin’ soda dispenser lady. I think it could have waited. JMO.
HAHAHAHA…imagination CAN get us in trouble!
I should think she would be thrilled that you accepted the return, that thing had to be disgusting if she had already tried it. Which she obviously had, if she knew it was stupid. Yeah, you made ffun of her a little (or a lot), but still, once she brought it in, you did the right thing. No harm, no foul.
um, never had any trouble with a transaction in a grocery story, but did have a tiny little snag with an item I needed to return to Walgreens once. Turned out ok in the end. Thankfully the need doesn’t arise that often. My favorite place for returns & exchanges is Lowes. They ROCK.
Haha, love it!
Ooooh, I get it. See I wouldn’t have known what she was talking about either. I don’t understand why she even called. It’s not like you could refund her money over the phone. Just bring it in the next time you have to shop there, and exchange it then. Duh.
Yeah I’ve only had to return one item ever…it was a tub of “Mountain High” yogurt. When I opened it there were splotches of mold everywhere. Blah!
I took it back and the (Ralphs) manager was busy and told me just to go back and get a new one. He didn’t even look at my receipt. I could have made out like a thief if I worked the system that night…
Oh that is priceless! …And how were you supposed to know what she was talking about? It’s what we always tell our son–you gotta describe things so people know what you’re talking about. Don’t you love it when people who you know have inwardly rolled their eyes about “blogs” and “you having one” start suggesting things to put on it?
LOL!! That is hysterical. In all fairness, I think anyone would have made the same mix-up. But can I ask: what exactly is the purpose of a soda dispenser?? Is it too much of a hassle to simply pour from the actual soda bottle? Seems silly.