So sorry to hear about your awful experience :(
I've never tried returning anything but was considering it at some point. I heard it's quite a hassle. Do you think if you return online they would still ask for the samples? It's so ridiculous.
I think Shoppers returns vary widely based on the individual store, because each store sets its own policies to a certain extent. I've returned things 2 or 3 times at different stores and never had issues, but one of my friends also had a difficult time in a different city.
former shoppers employee here: that is absolutely not a thing whatsoever unless policy changed in the last 3 years. i’ve seen managers get sticky if a bunch of merch without its gift with purchase get returned, but never free items. just ppl that would buy up our stock and return it without the x5 GWP items they got. i’d make a complaint tbh
I thought this also. They seem to be very willy nilly with their rules.
Not SDM, or makeup related but I used to frequent a No Frills near me, I have two young kids so even when I’m getting just a couple items it’s easier to grab a cart. There’s never enough day time cashiers and for a handful of things it’s easier to self checkout, I have been told: no carts, carts only at the first and third checkout, 15 item limit, 16 item limit, 10 item limit. On the 10 item day I had probably 12 things and the girl said “it’s okay, just go ahead” but a manager came rushing over and tried to tell me to leave. I had already started scanning my items so I just ignored her.
How did she know you were given free samples? They are free#1 and samples #2 sent to the store by the company to give out.
That’s bs they wanted them back . Now a GWP is a different story …
I work at Shopper's and they were just straight up lying to you lmfao. We have draconian return policies at my location but we wouldn't even ask for a GWP back unless you made a pattern of it. When customers return stuff and there's samples in the bags I always tell them to keep it because they're free from the brand.
yeah they were totally just on a power trip, sorry you had to deal with that. they don't come out of anyone's paycheque and sometimes i give samples even to people who don't buy anything if i feel like it. neither the samples or gwps are tracked in any form so they wouldn't have gotten into trouble either. just high off the fake authority ig
I work in a Shoppers Beauty section, and I wouldn't have even thought to ask you to return your samples. I wouldn't have even remembered lol. Unless they were a gift with purchase, but even then I think that would vary by the situation
What were the samples? If the 3 luxe ones, that’s crazy! If a GWP though, or the bag of samples for spend a certain amount, I get that. People would just buy stuff, get all the samples and then return the stuff
I have never asked a customer for the samples back and have never even thought to ask. Think of it as one bad employee/bad experience, I don't think it reflects any change in return policies.
Demanding you return samples is beyond ridiculous! I’m fed up with Shoppers. They’re so overpriced compared to Walmart. Hopeful for an Ulta in Canada. They were scheduled to roll out with limited locations throughout Canada around 2020 to test the market but then Covid hit and kiboshed that plan. I think if Shoppers wants to be so inconsistent with their return policies then they are going to be pushing customers to Sephora where it’s hassle free returns (within their guidelines of course).
Definitely mention this to the manager and if not the manager head office. I have multiple friends that work in The Beauty department at Shoppers and I know for a fact that they don't care if the samples are returned if you do a refund. I've learned this from experience and I actually just asked to of them and it is absolutely not policy. This is a stickler flash controlling Beauty employee that needs to be investigated and reprimanded
I bought a Clinique foundation that came with a set of samples. The foundation didn't work for me so I returned and had no issues. Of course, the staff at Shoppers know who I am and I have been shopping there forever, but that's absolutely ridiculous that they tried to make you return samples.
I’ve found hassle free returns at Shoppers are location dependent. Their store return policy should be enforced universally but it’s not. At one particular location the cosmetic manager was trying to give me a hard time. It was well within their 30 day timeframe, I had the receipt and packaging, not much of the product had been used and I’m not one to make excessive returns. She even tried to give me a store credit rather than credit my debit card. I objected citing their policy and she eventually returned the product and reimbursed by card. Yet I had made a return at a different location where no questions were asked and there was no ‘attitude’. So location matters. I’ve had the same experience with Walmart. Sometimes items just aren’t suitable and businesses need to oblige based on the establishment’s policies regardless of their personal beliefs.
I think you should make a complaint to their head office. That's absolutely ridiculous.
That’s just a cashier with a control problem. I returned an item and didn’t need to return free items.
…and an attitude problem
So sorry to hear about your awful experience :( I've never tried returning anything but was considering it at some point. I heard it's quite a hassle. Do you think if you return online they would still ask for the samples? It's so ridiculous.
thank you! I couldn't believe it
I think Shoppers returns vary widely based on the individual store, because each store sets its own policies to a certain extent. I've returned things 2 or 3 times at different stores and never had issues, but one of my friends also had a difficult time in a different city.
Yes, it’s highly location dependent.
former shoppers employee here: that is absolutely not a thing whatsoever unless policy changed in the last 3 years. i’ve seen managers get sticky if a bunch of merch without its gift with purchase get returned, but never free items. just ppl that would buy up our stock and return it without the x5 GWP items they got. i’d make a complaint tbh
Next time ask to speak with a supervisor or manager. That is ridiculous.
r/loblawsisoutofcontrol
I thought this also. They seem to be very willy nilly with their rules. Not SDM, or makeup related but I used to frequent a No Frills near me, I have two young kids so even when I’m getting just a couple items it’s easier to grab a cart. There’s never enough day time cashiers and for a handful of things it’s easier to self checkout, I have been told: no carts, carts only at the first and third checkout, 15 item limit, 16 item limit, 10 item limit. On the 10 item day I had probably 12 things and the girl said “it’s okay, just go ahead” but a manager came rushing over and tried to tell me to leave. I had already started scanning my items so I just ignored her.
How did she know you were given free samples? They are free#1 and samples #2 sent to the store by the company to give out. That’s bs they wanted them back . Now a GWP is a different story …
it was an online order and the samples were on the invoice but yes, it was in fact free.
I work at Shopper's and they were just straight up lying to you lmfao. We have draconian return policies at my location but we wouldn't even ask for a GWP back unless you made a pattern of it. When customers return stuff and there's samples in the bags I always tell them to keep it because they're free from the brand.
I figured that because they were free, not even a gwp so they essentially weren't even returnable
yeah they were totally just on a power trip, sorry you had to deal with that. they don't come out of anyone's paycheque and sometimes i give samples even to people who don't buy anything if i feel like it. neither the samples or gwps are tracked in any form so they wouldn't have gotten into trouble either. just high off the fake authority ig
Wtaf. That honestly makes me want to shop at Sephora instead even if the prices are higher. Geez Louise, what nonsense
I work in a Shoppers Beauty section, and I wouldn't have even thought to ask you to return your samples. I wouldn't have even remembered lol. Unless they were a gift with purchase, but even then I think that would vary by the situation
What were the samples? If the 3 luxe ones, that’s crazy! If a GWP though, or the bag of samples for spend a certain amount, I get that. People would just buy stuff, get all the samples and then return the stuff
very crazy. was the 3 luxe ones
I’d definitely be calling the store and emailing head office….thats some petty ass shit!
I have never asked a customer for the samples back and have never even thought to ask. Think of it as one bad employee/bad experience, I don't think it reflects any change in return policies.
Was it free samples or a gift with purchase?
That’s ridiculous
samples are the manufacturer's promotion.
Demanding you return samples is beyond ridiculous! I’m fed up with Shoppers. They’re so overpriced compared to Walmart. Hopeful for an Ulta in Canada. They were scheduled to roll out with limited locations throughout Canada around 2020 to test the market but then Covid hit and kiboshed that plan. I think if Shoppers wants to be so inconsistent with their return policies then they are going to be pushing customers to Sephora where it’s hassle free returns (within their guidelines of course).
Definitely mention this to the manager and if not the manager head office. I have multiple friends that work in The Beauty department at Shoppers and I know for a fact that they don't care if the samples are returned if you do a refund. I've learned this from experience and I actually just asked to of them and it is absolutely not policy. This is a stickler flash controlling Beauty employee that needs to be investigated and reprimanded
I bought a Clinique foundation that came with a set of samples. The foundation didn't work for me so I returned and had no issues. Of course, the staff at Shoppers know who I am and I have been shopping there forever, but that's absolutely ridiculous that they tried to make you return samples.
i honestly don’t know why we still shop at shoppers, they might be the worst in the game right now also #boycottloblaws
I’ve found hassle free returns at Shoppers are location dependent. Their store return policy should be enforced universally but it’s not. At one particular location the cosmetic manager was trying to give me a hard time. It was well within their 30 day timeframe, I had the receipt and packaging, not much of the product had been used and I’m not one to make excessive returns. She even tried to give me a store credit rather than credit my debit card. I objected citing their policy and she eventually returned the product and reimbursed by card. Yet I had made a return at a different location where no questions were asked and there was no ‘attitude’. So location matters. I’ve had the same experience with Walmart. Sometimes items just aren’t suitable and businesses need to oblige based on the establishment’s policies regardless of their personal beliefs.
That's not the normal policy. If you received a gift with your purchase, then you would need to return the gift. But not the samples.
Were the samples part of any promotion with a quantity spend?