I have always lived by the adage that it’s the thought that counts when someone gives you a gift. But even when we have the best intentions, we may give a gift to someone that isn’t as well loved as we would like. So the question begs, would you rather the recipient return it to get something they truly want OR suffer with the gift that you purchased for them (that they obviously don’t want)?
There are a few people that I know who actually got furious this year because they found out that the recipient took their gift back to the store and exchanged it for something else. In one of the instances, they exchanged it for the same item, just a different color.
I didn’t think there was a problem with that but apparently they did.
I, for one, think it is okay for a gift recipient to return a gift for something else they would like. Even when we think we have found the perfect gift for someone, if there is something else they would enjoy more, I want them to be happy.
Amazon. com is also making it easier for gift recipients. When a gift is purchased, Amazon can email you and give you the heads up on what the gift is. You can choose to select a gift card in the amount of the gift if you do not want what was selected for you and the giver doesn’t even have to know.
Is this cool?
Or is it buzzkill for gift giving?
Amazon says it makes it better for everyone since there are major costs to shipping back unwanted items and shipping out a new item. Reboxing items takes time and manpower, costs which they have to pass along to us the consumer. This new “system” could cut down on the return process and lower the price for items on their website.
Sounds good but still—it’s kinda mechanical if you ask me. And Miss Manners isn’t so happy about Amazon’s new approach to gift giving.
Being as how a gift is something that is supposed to come from the heart, knowing what the gift is before it is being sent and having the option of getting a gift card instead is a little unsettling to me.
So here’s a recap: taking a gift back to exchange it for another one? Yes. Pre-emptive gift giving that takes out fun of giving a present? No.
Modern technology doesn’t always trump human nature. But then again, what do I know?
You better take what I give you. I guess it depends on the person but I think I would be a little offended if someone to my gift back. Unless of course it was my mom. I would still say ouch but she’s just a extremely hard person to shop for.
I don’t object at all. A gift is no longer mine once I select it and pay for it. The recipient can do with it what they choose – exchange it for a gift card, re-gift it, or stuff it a closet for eternity. I hope that I select gifts that don’t meet an unfortunate fate, but who’s to say? Ultimately, if I cared enough to get you a gift, I hope that you’ll like it and/or benefit from it. If you don’t, feel free to make adjustments and do what you need to do.