Should a Refund Have Been Provided? - Yd. Aus

Hi,

TLDR: - Situation:

Aunty brought me a shirt from YD. Aust, I tried on the shirt and it was genuinely too small (the fit was slim). I personally dont often shop at Yd. as I find all there stuff doesn't really fit me well.

The purchase was done on Dec 13th; I was given the receipt where the shirt was paid by a debit card via a cheque account.

I proceeded to return the shirt in store on Dec 16th:
The refund was denied as I did NOT have the card that was documented on the receipt. I was offered an exchange or store credit. Which I didn't want for numerous reasons (doesn't generally fit well, being rushed in a time constraint etc etc)

My argument was that, according to their returns policy online, I met their criteria for their refund. I had the receipt, it was unworn and, Swing tag is still on the item. No where was it specified that the same payment method was to be used.
https://www.yd.com.au/au/returns

**Additional information: **

I called head office as I was not happy with this outcome in store, who said they can generally make exceptions, but escalated to the same area manager that they did in store, where my request and it was denied I was then provided with this response win writing. The area manager called me, to inform me that its a policy that they do not refund onto other cards, I questioned where this policy was as it was on on their website, and wondered if this was a system limitation. She said she would escalate to the state manager and call me back, instead I got this:

We have since had confirmation from our Area Manager, XXXX, that she has spoken with you and has provided you with the options available for this return. You are more than welcome to head back into store for a store credit or exchange for the item/s however we will be unable to provide a refund unless your aunt[Who brought me the shirt] is present.

Please be assured that we are not taking your dissatisfaction lightly and the feedback has been passed on to the relevant teams for their review.

We will now be closing this ticket, however, should you require any further assistance, please reply to this email and we will be happy to help.

In the end I went to another store, played stupid, that I got my card stolen and got my refund on another card

With an ever transforming society, where card is the accepted form of payment, should I have been given a refund?

Poll Options

  • 60
    Yes
  • 361
    No

Related Stores

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Comments

  • +48

    Anti money laundering

      • +44

        Was the transparent part when you lied and said the card was stolen?

      • +36

        It's often a rule set by the bank to prevent money laundering and fraudulent transactions. Now, for that price I wouldn't expect money laundering, but fraud is a common occurance in this exact situation. People purchase items on stolen credit cards, then return them on different cards. A small purchase like this could be testing the waters before doing it again for a $1000 sale/refund.

        My store worked with Westpac, and it was in the terms and conditions that if this occured and the card owner disputed the transaction, then the store would be liable and lose the money. Hence why store don't want to make exceptions. An exchange is a feasible way around this as most stores don't allow exchanges/store credit to be refunded. Some stores will offer to do a bank transfer to your account (instead of a card transaction to a different card), because by the time it gets to the accounting dept to process the transaction, most people would have reported the fraud already. But they don't have to offer that.

        It's most likely the store that ended up returning it probably just didn't know the process.

        • Respect. Thank you.

        • +4

          "The refund was denied as I did NOT have the card that was documented on the receipt"

          This is normal procedure

        • -2

          Surely if the person returning the item produced a receipt, that receipt could be scanned and would flag in a stores system as being a fraudulent sale/transaction?

          • @mhz: Only if the card owner had disputed the transaction prior to you attempting your return. If they don't notice it for a week/fortnight and you've returned the items 3 days later then there's nothing to flag as the return has already been processed.

            • @Agret: How would this work, though wouldn't the banks play some logic in that its a bricks and motor store? and deny the charge back? *Im very stupid when it comes to charge bank, as Ive never been in the situation where ive needed one?

          • @mhz: From my understanding, very few stores or POS systems will (or have the capability to) actually link that. Many stores only input receipt numbers/dates etc into the system as a cross reference in case anything gets picked up in the future.

            It's one of the many reasons that stores try linking your purchases to an account with your name and contact details (which many people still don't like to give stores).

        • +1

          The issue also is that this is not documented in the stores returns policy, which is part of Mintee's argument.

          It also doesn't account for situations exactly like Mintee's - where the item being returned was a gift, and thus the original card is not readily available, and depending on situations could be difficult to get access to (i.e. interstate or international gifter)

    • +1

      yd is the gateway for ML for teens. they then grow into casinos, international financial services and terrorist financing

    • +2

      aunty money laundering 🤫

  • -5

    Did I miss something? Why wouldn't you accept a refund to your debit card, what happened to it?

    • +20

      You did miss it. Tshirt was bought by OP's aunty

      • +8

        aunty gave receipt for exchange if wrong size, not a refund.

  • +3

    This is pretty typical for the reason mentioned above.

    I've been in the same situation with a item purchased through Amazon and just got store credit issued instead.

    • +1

      https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/help/customer/display.html?ref_…

      They have a whole table outlining the refund method

      • For some reason they don't mention card ownership in the table.

        • +1

          'Most refunds are issued based on the payment method used at the time of purchase.'

          • +2

            @Mintee: Would you be happy if yd had that line in a policy document somewhere that they could point to?

            • +1

              @ihfree: Yes, then I wouldn't have even expected it from the start. Preferably on their website where the refund policy is

              • +1

                @Mintee: You wouldn't have argued the "most"? or would you also expect a clear list of exceptions?

                • @ihfree: If it said under their policy 'Change of mind refunds will only be provided as in store credit' then I would have been fine and accepted that outcome

                  • +1

                    @Mintee: AFAIK, you'd have issues with any return regardless of reason going back to a different payment method.

                  • @Mintee: But that is less generous than what they currently have for change of mind.

                    Ie. They will refund to the card used for the purchase.

                    Why would you ‘be happy’ if they made it so others could not get a refund back to their card?

  • +21

    Having worked in retail before, it's an anti-fraud or anti money laundering regulation, which the bank or payment processor typically enforces.

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/350859
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/481252

    • +23

      it's an anti-fraud

      .

      In the end I went to another store, played stupid, that I got my card stolen and got my refund on another card

      Rejected due to anti-fraud, so OP performs a fraudulent act

      • +11

        And admitted to it in public.

  • +17

    I tried on the shirt and it was genuinely too small

    Just cut back on the KFC and McDonald's

    • -2

      Well played.

    • +6

      Maybe that's what Aunty was trying to hint at!

    • Cut back on the fast food? Hand in your ozbargain membership card sir.

    • Hit the lawyer, delete the gym and Facebook up!

  • Probably due to being over efficient or too many shifting errors.

  • +2

    Regift to your skinnier cousin.

  • +10

    "should I have been given a refund?" - no
    Your Aunty - Yes

    • +10

      https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/problem-with-a-product-or-…

      Refunds should be provided in the same form as the original payment, unless the business and consumer agree otherwise.

      And yes that's covered under Australian Consumer Law

      • -1

        That's not law… that's an available solution by ACCC

      • "Should"

        • +3

          And

          unless the business and consumer agree otherwise

          In this case, the business does not agree…

        • +2

          My take on this…'Should' means for best practice and not compulsory. If it was a compulsory requirement ACCC would have used 'must' instead.

      • +3

        In the same form. As in, if you pay with cash, they can't give you store credit.

        Also, that's under Australian Consumer Law. OP was returning the item in accordance with the store's policy, not ACL.

      • no, the customer is above the law and they want it according to their own policy they decided moments ago

    • +4

      Imagine being so dumb, you do your own research and still miss the fact the retailer's policy and T&Cs don't apply to you. It applies to you aunt, who contracted with the retailer.

  • +10

    mate they didn't refuse you, you refused to give them to the same card.

    Imagine the paper trail, Item is bought with Credit Card A and then a new credit card unassociated with that item has a reverse charge.

    where as the transaction refunded to the original card will check out.

  • +8

    Why didn't you just exchange it for the correct size given that was the issue?

    • According to op

      Which I didn't want for numerous reasons (doesn't generally fit well, being rushed in a time constraint etc etc)

      • +9

        If they didn't want the gift they should've just returned it to their aunt and told them they don't want it.

    • -3

      Its not just the size, its the cut…. I cant fit into a slim fit. Yd generally only stock slim fits

  • +8

    Pretty common policy in retail.

    • +2

      They are entitled to have that policy, the problem is they don't put that on their policy page.

      • +1

        OP didn't actually buy anything though. The sales contract was between YD and his auntie. His Auntie is entitled to a refund. Not him.

  • +6

    Unfortunately, while you can debate it's not law, it's policy with nearly all retailers to refund back to the same card or payment method.

    There will be rare cases where a cash refund may be issued in the discretion of the store.

    I used to work for Optus retail and the amount of people trying to scam Optus retail with chargebacks and giving the excuse the next day their card has been switched to another bank and wanting a cash refund is crazy.

    • +1

      Thank you.

  • +4

    You could have just dragged your aunty along or ask her to get the refund. Why bother calling head office and all for a shirt.

      • +14

        If it's me, I would be more upset that my nephew got a refund for my gift without my knowledge but told me the gift was good… I rather him tell me honestly the gift was not suitable and get a refund myself, then I can get nephew a more suitable gift.

        • +6

          I'm betting mintee gets another yd slim fit shirt next Christmas as well.

      • +2

        If she gave you the receipt, she would want to know what you got if you returned it…

      • +5

        You think she wouldn't notice you not wearing the shirt?

  • Quite often, a business can only refund to the original card to the prevent fraud. This is the case where you pay from your phone, but your physical card is different, despite being the same account. Yes, it's stupid.

    • You can check if its the same card in the wallet.

      iPhone: Go to the actual wallet app. Select the card, go to the three dots, open card numbers.
      Android: Go to the actual wallet app. Select the card, go to the three dots, and there are the real and virtual numbers.

  • +5

    You should have just exchanged it for the size up. Now your aunty is going to be wondering why you aren't wearing your spiffy new shirt at Christmas lunch.

  • +10

    I'm part of the YD anti fraud, corruption and money laundering team (YDFCML). I am also an automotive paint specialist, specialising in percentage calculations for insurance claims (but thats a topic for another day).

    Our team currently have Aunty in custody, she is being questioned in relation to the transaction. This information has been useful and will inform the remainder of the interrogation. We still suspect she was in on this act.

    • +4

      Hilarious how they thought they could get away with the old shirt switcheroo refund scam.

      • +2

        He did get away with it by lying. Ie. A deception ie. fraud.

  • +7

    I was offered an exchange or store credit.

    Stopped reading here. This is all you're going to get from 99% of retailers.

    And you know why? It's to prevent people from buying something like a "shirt their aunt bought them" and returning it after using it for a wedding or something.

    Ok I read more.

    I called head office as I was not happy with this outcome in store,

    You did all this for a shirt you didn't pay for?

    Yikes

    • +4

      Stopped after "Brought"

      • +3

        Technically his Aunt did bring it to him.

        • +1

          True. But OP isn't bright enough to know that.

    • +2

      It's to prevent people from buying something like a "shirt their aunt bought them" and returning it after using it

      (Not) requiring the refund to be to the same card makes no difference in that scenario.

    • It's to prevent people from buying something like a "shirt their aunt bought them" and returning it after using it for a wedding or something.

      No, they were happy to refund the balance to the original card used. If you bought it for a wedding you'd be able to return it as long as the tags were kept in place.

    • I don't see how one cannot buy something using their own card, use it at a wedding and then return it with their own card…

  • +3

    Classic Mintee thread…

    • +2

      ADACMFS

    • +1

      whys jv in the penalty box again?

      • +5

        Mods are trying to stifle his 20-comment-a-day posting habit.

        • Cant win with you guys aye, one post ago it was I wasnt replying to comments and this time its too much geeze!

        • her

          • @McFly: jv identifies as a woman now?

    • +4

      Seems like Mintee is a Phatee.

  • +1

    I’ve been in a similar situation before. I was gifted something that I would never wear, the person that gave it to me also gave me the receipt and said they were told that I could return it if I didn’t like it. When the store argued that it had to be refunded on the same card I argued that that was never mentioned at the point of sale and the purchaser was told it just needed to be unworn and with the receipt and that they would have paid cash if they had been told about the card. The sales person didn’t want to refund but they did ring their manager to check and they agreed to refund. I believe the store now has a clearer policy and it’s displayed in store as well now which is probably because of me.

    • +2

      This was my argument to head office when I called them that it does not outline that on their refund policy despite them saying its policy

    • +1

      I believe the store now has a clearer policy and it’s displayed in store as well now which is probably because of me.

      Lol no. It ain't you.

      Front line staff is there to enforce the policy. The manager is to kick you out of the store in the nicest way possible. They gave you the refund because they just want to get rid of you. We ain't paid enough to deal with Karens all day long.

  • Kmart do this as well as well as a few other smaller stores in my experience. It's annoying but I feel its sort of the norm these days

  • The refund was denied as I did NOT have the card that was documented on the receipt. I was offered an exchange or store credit. Which I didn't want for numerous reasons (doesn't generally fit well, being rushed in a time constraint etc etc)

    This is standard practice across the board and part of the wider terms for banking etc, refunds to the same method of purchase. Paid in cash, get cash back. Paid on card, refund to card. Paid via gift card, refund via gift card.

    Why? Put simply to reduce theft/money laundering. It stops someone coming in with a stolen credit card, buying stuff, then returning it for 'cash' before the transaction can be flagged etc.

    While painful for you if you really want the money back, then your aunty could have just went in and did the refund, then giving you money.

    In the end I went to another store, played stupid, that I got my card stolen and got my refund on another card

    But I see you went this route instead.

  • +2

    The excuse is anti fraud but reality is its really to force you to keep that sale but on a different item within that store.

    • +2

      That makes no sense, as if you are the original purchases, you can easily get a refund back to your card.

      • +1

        puts on tinfoil hat

        They leak your card details after purchase so you're stuck with their products.

        • So I should pay cash? That way they leak cash back to me?

    • +1

      You can just provide the original method of payment. You can play fraud but its unreasonable to force them to be part of it.

  • +3

    I tried on the shirt
    it was unworn

    These two events are contradictory.

    • Just like when people sell “lightly used” brand new items…

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