Department Store Implements "B-Tags" To Prevent Return Frauds

   By SheSpeaksTeam  Oct 01, 2013
4

Maybe you received a gift that just wasn’t your style or maybe the new dress you bought just doesn’t look as flattering as it did in the fitting room? Whatever the reason, department stores are usually willing to return your clothing item, no questions asked.

But when someone attempts to return an item they've already worn, the situation becomes problematic. Today reports about the department store no-no called “wardrobing” when someone buys a piece of clothing like a dress, wears it once or twice and then returns it for a full refund or store credit.

Retail analyst Hitha Prabhakar explains why this is a big problem for department stores. She says, “What people don’t realize is that it’s an illegal process and it’s also known as return fraud.” Not only is it illegal but the National Retail Federation estimates that it costs the industry about $8.8 billion just last year.

So what can department stores do to combat against “wardrobing”. Bloomingdale’s has unveiled their latest weapon against return fraud they call “b-tags”. The cumbersome 3-inch black plastic tags are attached to dresses in the store that cost more than $150.

The “b-tags” are not removed from the dress at the store and are located on places like the hem of the dress where it will be totally visible. In other words, if someone were to want to take the dress out for a spin at a cocktail party they can’t simply slip a paper tag into a sleeve. The customer must remove the large “b-tag” unless they want all of their friends to see that they don’t really plan on keeping the dress.

Though some argue that “buyer’s remorse” may enter into a consumer’s mind after they have taken the tags off and later decide to return it, Bloomingdale’s backs up their decision to implement the tagging system. They write in a statement, “These b-tags are in place to reinforce the fact that Bloomingdale’s will be unable to accept a return of merchandise that has been damaged, worn, washed, used and/or altered.”

What do you think of the new tagging system Bloomingdale’s has in place to prevent customers from returning clothing that has been worn?

Would you be less likely to purchase a dress that has a “b-tag” attached?
 

Make a Comment

 
SHARE
Comments
Katheryn by Katheryn | MARSHALL, MI
Apr 24, 2014

I would never think of wearing something and taking it back.

grandma2 by grandma2 | HORTONVILLE, WI
Oct 03, 2013

It is sad that not only do honest buyers continue to get punished for dishonest peoples actions, all of us financially pay for these theft and fraud prevention methods businesses have to come up with in the increased price of the products. Frustrated.

basilandcatnip by basilandcatnip | GARLAND, TX
Oct 01, 2013

Other stores have been tracking customers with unusual number of returns for years. Don't like the heavy tags though for any reason, damages fabrics. Also catches on things, loops in hair, and scratches skin when trying on garments in dept store dressing rooms. You also can't see how the garment fits properly, drapes, hangs or moves when you walk. When you pay that kind of money for an item you want it to be right.

pippilongstocking by pippilongstocking | EAST BEND, NC
Oct 01, 2013

I think it's a good idea; it's kind of disturbing to think that clothing that I think is brand new, and pay brand-new prices for, could have in fact already been worn by some random, unethical stranger for a night on the town. Gross. While I've never shopped at Bloomingdale's, I would be more likely to purchase a dress with a "b-tag" attached over a dress that does not have one attached.