Complaint / Review
Burlington Coat Factory, Shrewsbury, MA
Ripoff on returns in store! Gee, but NOT on the internet!

On Nov. 19 I went to a new BCF store, where I had never shopped before.

I purchased a 50 dollar winter coat for my 6 year old son (who was at school that day) and two walletts (both were gifts).

I gave the sales clerk my credit card, signed the receipt and home I went. That night when my son came home from school, we tried on the coat. He did not like it so I told him I would return it.

I went back the VERY NEXT DAY to the store and was told that I would receive a store credit. The sales clerk pointed to the sign (that was behind me, not in front of me where I faced the clerk) and then to the bottom of my receipt. No cash or credit card refunds. I freaked.

"Why did you not tell me this (it was the same clerk from the day before) policy when I was here yesterday? Why did you not ask me if I was aware of the return policy?" She said nothing. She was kind but I was very upset.

Now I am stuck with a 50 dollar credit that I will NEVER use because NEVER again will I shop in that store. God forbid you buy gifts there, which I did, because you'll never be able to return them.

I just sent (11/30/03) the corporate office a complaint e-mail. I doubt I'll hear back from them. I did notice that if you purchase on the internet from them, you DO get your cash back or credit card credited. Huh? Why is that? I plan on contacting the attorney general's office in my state to find out if this return policy is legal. I feel that it is not. It's unfortunate that a simple stupid sign at the check out or a notice printed on the receipt (which NO ONE ever reads), protects the retailer and not the consumer.

I have 15 years of retail experience and I have NEVER seen a return policy like this one before. It's just horrible. That was my first and last time in that store.