Kim tells Consumerist that she was dismayed to learn that The Children’s Place has started limiting how many returns customers can make, scanning driver’s licenses to track repeat returners. She wonders, have company executives tried to corral multiple preschoolers into trying on stacks of clothing in a store fitting room?

Kim writes:

TCP has changed return policies to limit customers to 4 returns per 60 days – WITH a receipt. In addition, returns must be accompanied by a driver’s license, which employees scan and keep in a database. Refuse to submit your license? They will refuse to refund your money – even with a receipt. And if you’re exchanging merchandise? Same rules apply! Employees at my local TCP were quite abrupt about the new policy and simply told us if we didn’t like it, “we could call corporate.” But if we wanted our money back, we had to hand over a license. Period.

I understand preventing consumer fraud – I really do – but I am not about to attempt to have my 2 preschoolers try on clothes in a store at the mall. My mom friends feel the same way – it’s just not feasible. So it’s quite normal for us to buy 10 items or so, bring them home, go through the process of trying on, etc., and then return what doesn’t work. If I keep the receipt and return within a reasonable amount of time, why on Earth should I be limited on my returns? Ridiculous! Not to mention they are creating a huge database of customer license scans, which would seem to me to be a security risk.

TCP will no longer be the first place I look for clothes for the kids – I can’t deal with the new return policies. I need a company to understand the quirks of buying for kids, and though their company name IS “The Children’s Place,” it’s obviously just a name only these days.

Parents, would this policy make you less likely to shop at The Children’s Place from here out, or is 4 returns per 60 days a reasonable policy?

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