Eww: Retailers Caught Reselling Returned and Used Underwear

On the msnbc Today’s Show – Secret Filth Exposed Series we learned that “reputable” retailers including Victoria’s Secret, Macy’s, J Crew, Express, Nordstrom, Sacks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales and GAP - stores we all shop at, were caught accepting returns on used underwear for full refunds. That’s right on underwear! EWW!!

But it get’s worse…. at Macy’s, Bloomingdales, Victoria’s Secret, and GAP, store clerks were filmed re-tagging the underwear and returning them to the sales floor and reselling them as new items. Eww! In fairness to J Crew, Sacks and Express investigating reporters were not able to find the returned underwear back on their sales floor.

Back in the day – my day, stores would never accept returns on delicate unmentionables – for obvious reasons. When did this all change? But according to the report, it’s not illegal to resell used under garments. Eww.

And using someone’s used underwear has health implications… well duh – this is not rocket science.  According to the microbiologist featured on the Today’s Show, used undergarments can “harbor dangerous germs and diseases that can survive on fabric for weeks” with fecal matter being the most concerning substance. Eww, Eww.

Accepting returns on underwear and swimsuits is just wrong, it’s gross and it is unhealthy. Come on guys – is the retail market that bad that you need to stoop to such lengths for a sale? Shame on you!

What can we do to protect ourselves? Ladies, make sure to wash all underwear and swimsuits before wearing.

Watch the video clip  Here, I can hear you saying EWW, EWW, EWW.