New Merchandise Return Policy Improves Customer Relations
by Jenne Carmen, Informer Staff
July 12, 2000

In the past, the consumer only had the option of returning unwanted items to One Man's Treasure, which is the local pawn shop. Some shopkeepers have agreed to loosen up the return policy restrictions and accept selected items as returned goods to improve customer relations. Consumer research indicated that people wanted to be able to return unwanted items to the actual vendors rather than the pawn shop. Nina Perrson responded to the news of this newly implemented return policy by saying, "Yeah, it's cool. The dude at the pawn shop rips too many people off anyway." Similarly, Nunzio Santori said, "It's better because you get better prices than that skunk cat at the pawn shop. He rips peoples off." Belle Sunner replied when asked about her favorite shop, "Well, basically any of them, because they pay more for unwanted items than the junk shop does." One Man's Treasure, also known as the junk shop, is located at 74 Teak Road, and the phone number is 891-3398.

Many of the consumers have reacted positively to this news. Here are some of their comments:

Jon Garfield: "I think it's great. Most of them will pay more than at the pawn shop since they're specialized in those items, and the Armory will even buy certain things that the pawn shop won't take, namely arrows and bolts."

Brian Indiana: "Yes, if you move around a bit, you can get a much better price on your stuff. For example, a battery. One dollar at the pawn shop. Eighty dollars at the gizmo."

Belle Sunner: "Yeah! In fact, I just sold some jewelry back to the jeweler."

Candi Cane: "It's good!"

Snake Silvertongue: "Hey. Anything to make a buck."

Mackenzie Taylor: "Well, I think it's great that they'll buy it back, and as someone saving for a wedding. I'll need it."

Ferd Berfel: "I've used a few of them, mainly the captured weapons. It's certainly helped my accounts."

In terms of the environment, locals have been concerned with the increase of packaging waste that comes from the growing number if imported items. Their goal is to prevent or reduce the environmental impact of waste and at the same time, ensure the functioning of the internal market. This new return policy is a form of recycling because the product is reworked and put back out on the shelves. For example, rather than procuring precious gems from overseas, the local jeweler will now consider buying unwanted jewels from their customers and rework the items for resale. For these reasons, environmental advocates also support this return policy.

With the growing competition of new shops and the increase of custom imported items, some of the small businesses of Morada have collectively agreed that this change is necessary to retain customers. Macy's, a well-known department store (not yet on Morada), practices this motto, "Be everywhere, do everything, and never fail to astonish the customer." The trend reflects the growing importance of customer service and satisfaction. The store owners are not only trying to satisfy the customer, but they want to develop a relationship with the customer so that the customer will keep coming back to their shop. There has never been a greater emphasis on service. These local stores have agreed to be the first to adopt this new policy: The Sapphire Sea, Gizmoria, The Excellent Year, Yeardly's Armory, and Sea Horse Publishing.

The Sapphire Sea sells pieces such as rings, bracelets, necklaces and watches, and is a favorite return place among locals. Nina Perrson said, "Sapphire Sea, except some gems aren't worth as much anymore." Lauren Beth also stated, "If anything, I'd say the jewelry store." Mel Firestein, a true craftsman, does his own work in the back room of the jewelry store. Firestein produces, repairs, and sells his own jewelry. The list of return items includes: a platinum anklet or a sports watch for $187.50 a piece, a sparkling sapphire for $750, a violet amethyst, diamond earring, or diamond wristlet for $375, an even emerald earrings at $262.50. Firestein also accepts tarnished jewelry and broken watches among other items. The Sapphire Sea Jewelry Shop is located on 35 Ocean View Road and the phone number is 891-2190.

The Gizmoria sells various communication devices, investigative and analytical sampling kits, as well as practical items such as first aid kits, sunglasses, and lockpicks. This gadget store seems to be popular among both the bounty hunter types and the investigators of various professions. Thomas DeChansie, owner of Gizmoria has agreed to buy back useful items such as type PBR batteries and simple first aid kits. However, the new high-grade first aid kits are not for resale. Jasmine Cronin commented, "They do buy lockpicks, but the price is so low that it is not cost-efficient to sell them back. You're better off either using them or donating them." The Gizmoria is located in The Emporium at 40 Ocean View Road, and the phone number is 891-6329.

The Excellent Year Wine Shop, run by Elsbeth Davies, will buy back full bottles of alcohol. Davies records every purchase in an entry-log journal to help keep accurate inventory of what is available. Examples of return rates on the following bottles include $5.25 for cheap whiskey, $1.05 for mint schnapps or tequila, $22.50 for Russian vodka, and a whopping $42.50 for a bottle of strong scotch. Cheap beer only yields 63 cents per container. The Excellent Year Wine Shop is located on 9 Marina Drive West, and can be phoned at 891-8856.

Yeardly's Armory seems to be as popular as the jewelry shop. Jon Garfield said that his favorite return locations were, "the armory and the jewelry shop." Ferd Berfel also said, "the armory and the jewelers." The Armory is a shop where military weapons and equipment are sold. This includes personal defense aids, guns and ammunition, archery supplies, and flame-thrower fuel. Belle Sunner said, "Ol' Yeardly's a good man... and I'm always finding bullets and stuff on brawlers that I don't need." Yeardly's Armory pays well for weapon containers such as the large leather weapon harness for $750, leather handgun holster also for $750, and a medium-sized leather weapon sling for $375. Brian Indiana also said, "The weapon shop pays well." Ammunition such as shotgun shells can be resold for $225, a 22 caliber speedloader for $131.25, a 45 cal. Clip for $187.50, and a 9mm clip for $318.75. Arrows, which cannot be resold to the pawn shop, do sell at the Armory for $375, and similarly, bolts are sold for $562.50. Darien Knight also agreed that his favorite place to sell items is at the, "Armory. They pay you good money for weapons and ammo." A .357 Magnum revolver and a finely-etched steel throwing dagger both fetch a resale value of $375. Nunzio Santori said that his favorite place was, "The Armory, I suppose." Yeardly's Armory is located in the industrial district near number 1003 on Empire Road in the old part of the West End.

Seahorse Publishing targets their market to other businesses and have put together items such as the tourist brochures that are located in the Marina. Although they have published magazines in the past, they do not buy back ratty magazines. Emmeline Parsons, publisher at the Seahorse, does buy back books from individuals. Jasmine Cronin said, "I sold them an autograph book for $50. I just wanted to see if they would buy it, but now I wish that I had donated it. In my opinion, the book was way undervalued and I could have gotten much more for it at an auction." The Seahorse Publishing building is located near number 1002 on Empire Road in the West End.

The Glorious Image Art Gallery has been rumored to buy paintings and possibly other works of art from individuals, but there is not enough proof to state this as fact. The Glorious Image Art Gallery is run by Gigi StMichael and is located at 39 Ocean View Road. The phone number is 891-7175.

Not all shopkeepers have agreed to buy back items. For example, the Luggage Rack, an upscale store in The Emporium, has not yet agreed to buy back used containers. Jon Garfield said, "It would be nice if the Luggage Rack bought back boxes and bags that we find, especially the backpacks." Belle Sunner said, "I think more shops should be doin it... I'm not sure how many actually are, but eventually they all should because what if someone gets you a shirt that just looks horrible on you? You don't want to insult them by taking it to a junk shop, and you don't want to rewrap it and give it to someone else because the giver might find out. If you return it, you'll get a decent amount for it, and get to buy that thing they should have bought you."

Jasmine Cronin said, "I wish that I could sell back perfume and cologne to La Parfumerie in the French Quarter, and Dexter really should buy our shoelaces. Also, at first, I was disappointed that Muriel's Spa would not buy used hairbrushes, but now if you think about it, I can understand why not. I mean, nasty creepy dirty jungle-living criminals probably used these hairbrushes! Who knows what bugs they might have crawling around in their scalps? If I were Muriel, I would not want to buy them either." Perhaps some of the shopkeepers cannot afford to buy back unwanted items, and maybe some simply choose not to do so, but hopefully there will be more items and shops that will buy back more items from the consumer in the future.

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