In the July issue of Hardware Retailing magazine, retailers shared insights on the importance of a returns policy and what has worked for their operation. To gain additional insight, the North American Hardware and Paint Association conducted a survey of retailers, asking them to share details on their operation’s returns policies.
For those retailers who said yes to requiring a customer to provide contact information, types of contact information collected include:
- Name, address and phone number
- First and last name
- Name and phone number
- Phone number
Retailers also shared what types of items they do not accept for return, which include:
- Custom paint, stains, coatings
- Custom ordered and special ordered products
- Opened/damaged items
- Electrical items that are open that may have been blown
- Storm-related items just bought but not used
- Cut items (wire, tubing, PVC pipe and metal pipe)
- Thermostats
- Close outs
- Items that require manufacturer approval for store return must have appropriate manufacturer documentation
