Having spent quite some time off and on in Australia, it always amazes me how much businesses here (large and small) value their customers. One instance in point is the Motor Trade Association of South Australia -- or MTA whose return/refund policy clearly states that they will accept returns and refund, exchange or give a credit where goods are/have been faulty, wrongly described and different to the product (and they go on to list some criteria which apply. Most companies will accept goods without question, if returned within a reasonable time period and when accompanied by the relevant sales invoice (bill.)The MTA also have in place a privacy policy which states that they do not release personal details to any third party, except where required by law.
Another well-known company (IKEA) have in place what they call a policy of "No nonsense returns." This states that, if one changes one's mind, one can return the unused purchase with it’s original packaging and receipt within 90 days for a refund. Of course, they need the receipt for a full refund. But what's more customer-oriented is that, if one doesn’t have a receipt, they may -- at their discretion -- give us a refund card for the value indicated by their returns system. This means that we may purchase goods of equivalent value.Now how I wish we had businesses where such a policy is not only stated but adhered to in practice! How many of us -- as customers -- have had to run from pillar to post (and most often without success!) before we sort things out satisfactorily. More often than not, it is we who have had to compromise.
