Buzz
Discover the ultimate shopaholic's paradise in the bustling 'supermarkets' or sprawling 'malls' of states like Massachusetts or New York (USA)!
Buy now, regret later? No worries, just return it!
The most fascinating aspect of shopping in the USA is that you can return almost anything if you're not satisfied, even packaged noodles or boxed candies (excluding fresh produce like vegetables, fish, meat). Whether you make purchases in-store or online, returns are possible as long as you retain the receipt.
As a result, it's a common practice for locals here to always keep their receipts, just in case they need to return items. Every American 'market' has a returns counter right at the entrance. Typically, returning items at a 'market' earns you a purchase voucher; for online purchases, you'll receive a refund (via bank card).
American receipts always include a note specifying the return period. Depending on the store's policy, return periods can range from 30 to 180 days. Wholesale retailer Costco offers an 'infinite' return policy for all members, except for electronic and digital technology items, which must be returned within 90 days.
However, customers should refrain from abusing this policy, as excessive returns may result in being flagged by Costco and removed from the membership list.
The return and exchange policy also applies to discounted items. Once, I purchased leggings at a 50% discount from Macy's—a brand specializing in fashion and home goods—and accidentally chose the wrong size because I couldn't try them on (each pair was packaged). After paying, I took them home, only to find they were too big. A few days later, I returned to the store, found a smaller size, and wondered if I could exchange them. When I brought both pairs to the cashier and tentatively asked, she simply inquired, 'Where's the receipt for the previous purchase?' After checking the receipt, she cheerfully placed the new leggings in another bag for me and took back the old ones without caring that the packaging had been torn.
At another 'mo', I bought two pairs of discounted knee-length socks, thinking they were cheap, but my local friend criticized them as expensive when I brought them home. She advised me to return them as I could buy similar ones at a lower price, but I hesitated because I had purchased them on sale. However, when I tried to return them, the seller happily accepted them back, just asking me to present the receipt and sign it to complete the process.
Price checkers and self-checkout machines
During my first visit to Costco—a wholesale store in the USA exclusively for card-carrying members—I was impressed to see self-checkout counters. I watched customers scan each of their items through the cashier machine and then swipe their card on the machine. Once the machine produced a receipt, they took it and showed it to the security guard before pushing their purchases out the door.
Another time at Walmart, my friend accompanied me and showed me how to use the self-checkout machines. The self-checkout machines here not only accept bank cards but also cash: there's a slot for customers to insert each bill to pay, and a slot to dispense change, including coins.
Not only Costco and Walmart, but nearly every major supermarket in the USA also features self-checkout machines to save customers the hassle of queuing up.
Price check machines for customers are also a distinguishing feature here. Every 'market' or 'mall' has places for price check machines. Just scan the barcode of the item under the machine and press to see the price; customers will see the price of the item displayed on the electronic board.
These price check machines are very helpful for slow calculators, especially when every item seems to be on sale multiple times, they won't be able to calculate the remaining price.
The habit of checking prices with machines has become normal here, and even children under 10 know how to use this machine!
Photo: Ben Khôi
According to iHay
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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour
MytourMay 28, 2014
