They have the worst return policy ever; it is basically a NO RETURN policy. Besides only having 7…read moredays to return or exchange anything, the exceptions clause lists practically every piece of merchandise they sell. Verbatim on the receipt AFTER you buy it, the fine print exceptions are: "Wigs, Chemical, Liquid items, Hair products, Electrical appliances, Clothes, Jewelry, Ponytails, Hair pieces, Bun, Closure, Bang and ALL SALE ITEMS." Again, basically, every product in their store. Since it is printed at the bottom of the receipt which you receive AFTER the purchase, you are already stuck with the item by the time you read the return terms.
Their return policy is not placed in a physically conspicuous location. It is not visible as you walk into the store, nor directly on the registers, nor on or near the shelves the non-returnable products are placed on. Their return policy is deceptively placed high, up over 10' on the INSIDE of the entrance, so it is not facing you as you walk in but BEHIND you and at a height most consumers would not naturally or intuitively look that high to notice. All the times I have been in the store, I have never noticed it until I had to deliberately look for it while filing a complaint.
I attempted to return, with receipt, a completely UNOPENED, table-top, hooded hair dryer within the seven days. A young female salesclerk began processing the return when a male "manager/owner" stepped in and interrupted the transaction saying I could not return it because it is an electronic. I was not aware of the policy, then searched my receipt to see electron appliances listed at the bottom of the receipt; again, AFTER the fact. So basically, anything requiring a plug or battery cannot be returned. We argued back and forth but he wouldn't budge and had the air of I-have-the-upper-hand-and-already-have-your-money-so-I-don't-care-and-it-sucks-for-you. The young female sales clerk looked on helplessly. (An issue in itself.) Also, the product was NEVER in SEALED packaging to begin with when it was on the shelves. Something I did not think about until this confrontation. I bought it in good faith that it was new and unused, then brought it back exactly how I received it unopened and untouched. Since the packaging was not sealed or wrapped to begin with, it would make it impossible for a consumer to prove it had not been opened. I believe that is by design. The whole vibe of the interaction and transaction was scammy and negative on several levels. The operation is rigged in the store's favor and to the detriment of the customer.
After mentioning this retail experience on social media, one friend told me she has returned a couple products to this specific store -- products on the exception list -- so obviously some sales clerks or managers are willing to use discretion and their "return policy" is subjective.
I've never gotten a genuinely friendly vibe from the owners of this store even before my return incident. You are watched like a hawk in this store. They are strictly about making money off of the Black community but not respecting the community. Quite frankly, this No Return policy would never fly with a white customer base. I've also felt they only hired Black employees to have a chocolate face for selling product but as exemplified when attempting to return my purchase, those employees have no basic decision-making authority. One other iffy policy is that they are the only store in the entire plaza, which serves a predominantly Black customer base, that forces you to show ID when using a credit card-- even for small purchases. Little Caesar's, Dollar General, Subway, the sneaker store, game store, bowling alley, Rainbow, etc. don't do that. I'll never spend another dime at this store.
