Yeah I’ve heard about people regularly abusing the Nordstrom return policy. It sucks that Nordstrom will probably tighten the reigns because a few people have chosen to ruin it for us all. I think a lot of us have bought something, worn it before deciding it was all wrong and returning it quickly. . . but there’s a vast difference between that and the person that keeps something for AGES, wears it multiple times and returns it. Shame on them. I understand both sides of this argument. One does make a valid point though . . . surely if Nordstrom didn’t take the commissions back, some person on the other side would abuse the commission system.

I worked at Nordstrom for several years until very recently and received the same letter in the mail last week. To take back earned commission on a recently returned, unused item is the proper thing to do. The problem lied in the fact that customers would wear/use an item for several years and then decide to return it, for cash. There were also problems with employees taking returns on non-Nordstrom products that some clever customer had paired with a Nordstrom tag or receipt. I think they just need to find some sort of in between.

Is this something that is normal that I have never known about? I would never, ever, EVER buy something, wear it, and return it. It just seems so dishonest! The most I do is buy something, try it on at home, and if I’m not feeling it return it.
@Guest #5: Sorry (and I’m sure I will get tons of sh*t for this), but irregardless is NOT a word.

I agree with #3, it seems like there is no way to keep this policy from either being too broadly or too narrowly applied. Employees would just have their friends come in and buy tons of stuff, only to return it once they quit… Just sayin’

I think the ultimate way to avoid this is to just make good sales. In retail environments like this, the point is to build an actual client base; you make all your sales off of repeat customers who come directly to you because you know what they like and put things aside for them in their size. If you’re relying solely on foot traffic, repeat returns are inevitable. Obviously you can’t avoid some returns, but if you’re a good salesperson (and this is what a Nordstrom employee is), then this shouldn’t really be an issue because your customers are buying in complete confidence.

Wow! I did not know this about retail. It sounds unfair to the employee, especially if its very easy for the customers to return clothing that has been worn more than once.
As a shopper, if I’m paying full price, I would like to think that my purchases are ‘new’ and haven’t been worn before. I think that information should be disclosed to the shopper especially if they’re looking for an investment piece that can quickly fall apart due to someone else’s negligence . In turn this will cause them to return the garment again themselves, which continues this cycle for the poor employees.
Thanks for the article Fashionista. It was really informative about the world of retail that I was not aware of.

Yes Nordstrom is a bit ridiculous when it comes to returns – however, they recently put into effect that if an item an employee sold more than a year ago after the purchase date has been returned, they are not hit with the return. I know it’s not much, but it does help.

I used to work on commission at a UK department store, and there was no way they would deduct returns from our wages!
The argument about getting a friend to spend and return goods is null because a level of trust must exist between an employer and employee.
In my opinion – you did the work selling the item, you get rewarded.
Also, what if the customer doesn’t have a receipt, how does the store know which of the sales assistants put it through the till?
What about faulty returns?
I say good for them for suing!

Its horrible that a few annoying individuals ruin it! I’m a fan of nordstrom’s return policy as a customer who would never wear something then return it, but I never thought about what it does to one’s commissions. They should have a better screening process for returns.
thebeautifulfool.blogspot.com

How much commission do employees get off purchases at Nordstrom?

When I worked at Nordstrom, the level of commission varied depending on the department. In lingerie, for example, it was much higher due to the fact that you had to sell so much more product to equal a St. John suit or Chloe handbag.
I always thought their system was very fair and trust me – the people who brought in those WAY worn out garments with the holes definitely felt the burning eyes of the employees boring into their souls, even as we smiled through the transaction ;)

Boo hoo. Go work at Macy’s if you don’t like Nordstrom’s return policy.

This is absolutely intense.
In Australia our laws state clearly that customers are not entitled to refunds for change of mind.
We had some large department stores who, out of goodwill, would still offer very generous returns policies but that definitely did not include years old/worn product!
More recently most of these department chains no longer offer such generous returns policies. Many still offer things like refunds for change of mind (which they are not obligated to do by law) but many have put other conditions on their policies such as the window of time a customer has in which to return an item.
It is absolutely shocking to think stores would have such laxe policies. Who would take back a worn garment? Or a piece years old? It’s absolutely illogical especially for the fashion industry.
Obviously I am unfamiliar with US law in regards to acceptable trading but it seems ridiculous to me – especially when a staff member ends up being the one in the most inconvienient situation.
Other than putting restrictions on returns policies perhaps these stores could stop offering comission and in exchange simply pay their staff higher wages? When a staff member demonstrates excellent sales they could just get a permanent wage increase.

i think the nordstrom return policy actually increases sales in the long term, which in turn increases commission – even after taking into account the cost of returns. i believe many people shop there because of the return policy and most of those people do not return merchandise. if the employees don’t like the return policy, they should work somewhere else. i agree with the statements above – a good salesperson will sell merchandise the client wants to keep.

Never heard of Nordstrom but Ms. Aboutaleb does look cute in that pic, thanks #21.

Last Fall I tried to return a pair of BP shoes (Nordstrom’s house brand) because I wore them once, and the leather on the heal tore. They told me that normal wear and tear was to be expected and would not take the item back. I know previously Nordstom’s policy was to take everything back, even if the product didn’t come from their store, so it looks like they tightened their return policy.

Uh, hello.
I was wondering, can Nordstrom ask you not to shop there or bring you to court just because yo ‘abuse the policy’?
Because, i like always return things there that i buy. I return things there A LOT. But, ONLY because i have this phobia about dressing rooms, which is kinda retarded, but i’m kinda freaked out by them. anyways, my friend told me that i was ‘abusing the policy’ and that they may kick me out for good, or send me to court or something. now, i’m really scared. because i actually like their stores and i do buy and keep a lot of their stuff. sometimes, i’ll return it in a week, or a month or two, because of timing. do you think that i could go to court or get asked to leave?

Do you know how to check on whats going on with the lawsuit?

I'm also waiting to figure out what happened with this since having sent in the form. Hence finding this site, but I can find little other information.