Buyer Beware - illegal no return policy

[nasplayacom]

I bought a shirt for Allan at the Cuban bar and restaurant on 5th called La Bodeguita del Medio. It so happens that Allan had just bought the same shirt for himself so literally 10 minutes later I went to return it and was abruptly told that they do not accept returns - they only accept exchanges. I reasoned with both the cashier and manager that such a policy was illegal and furthermore is not posted in the store.

This type of practice is ILLEGAL. All one needs to do is go to the Profeco on Juarez within 5 days of purchase with a receipt and they can make the store return your money.

This point was even discussed with the manager of La Bodeguita del Medio (the manager's name is Ramon) but he didn't care - he'd rather have me spend a couple of hours making him return the money rather than do what is right and honest and LEGAL.

[Libby]

Hi Matt, Thanks for the info. I did not realize this practice was illegal in Mexico. I have always assumed that I would not be able to return any item in my purchases here. The only time I've returned an item here was at Walmart, and it was quite the ordeal. You can read about that experience on my much neglected blog here.

Please let us know how this goes with Profeco. Buen suerte!

[nasplayacom]

I went to PROFECO yesterday morning (located next to Domino's Pizza on Juarez) and they were very friendly. The law is that a consumer has 5 days to return any product that has not been used along with the receipt. So, the lady at PROFECO called the store and "enlightened" them as to Mexican law, and I was allowed to go to the store and make the return, after once again arguing with the cashier that, yes, I could return the shirt.

It's just the principle that they are so fragrantly breaking Mexican law and don't really care because most of the time they get away with it. Yes, I could have just regifted the $170 peso shirt. But yes, they could have given in and gave me the return without the fight, without the bad publicity and without me now never setting foot in that establishment again.

Office Depot has done almost the same thing. I've made a few returns and now they tell me I am no longer allowed to make returns in their store, only exchanges. I'm sure if I went to PROFECO and complained soon they would say I am no longer allowed to purchase in their store.

It's really just ignorance.

We LOVE living down here, have wonderful Mexican employees and friends and most of the time go with the flow.

When I feel like I am flagrantly wronged I just won't stand for it.

[Libby]

Thanks for the update, Matt! Good to know that PROFECO has our back. If more people used their service and fought for what is just, there wouldn't be such a problem.

[jamnkats]

Wow! We never buy anything without knowing it will be a major hassle trying to return it. I had no idea that there was a law on the books about returns though.