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Jessica
Dedicated April 2020

Dumb Question (also, my first question). Can you like buy chairs and tables from Amazon or wherever and then return them?

Jessica, on November 4, 2019 at 12:29 PM Posted in Planning 0 39

We are being frugal because that's just the way we are. Because it's like, it's just a one day thing? We want an outdoor wedding with about 40 people (probably expecting 30...don't have a clue how some of you brides to be handle 100+ people). We were originally thinking of this park (splash pad, playground, you name it.... but we don't mind kids being part of the wedding. But then again, I have a lot of fun stuff for kids to do at the house, so they are not scattered everywhere. We don't even have a hard core date in mind. We we thinking April 4th would be funny. And doing some kids of cosplay star wars type of thing with May the 4th. Also, June when we have break time and also August. It may be good to wait until holidays are over. But the whole "Save the Dates" I don't get.

39 Comments

Latest activity by Sherry, on November 8, 2019 at 11:52 AM
  • Caytlyn
    Legend November 2019
    Caytlyn ·
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    You can't buy anything and then use it and return it. Not ethically anyway. Contact a rental company.

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  • M
    VIP January 2019
    Maggie ·
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    I admit I am not quite sure what you are asking in your post, but as for the question in your post title: No, I don't think it is ethical to buy a product (from anywhere) with the intent of using it and then returning it.


    There are places that *rent* chairs and tables, and that is fine. But purchasing something, using it, and then returning it means the retailer can't sell it again as new.

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  • Kelly
    Champion October 2018
    Kelly ·
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    You would probably have to clean everything really well before returning and that honestly sounds like such a hassle. I did a quick amazon search and 10 cheap folding chairs will run you about $160. The place where I got my rentals from rents them $1.50 a chair and handles the setup and breakdown. It would be so much easier to rent everything.
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  • Amber
    Master February 2020
    Amber ·
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    I don't mean to sound harsh, but there's a big difference between being frugal and stealing. Buying something, using it, and then returning it is stealing money from someone. Even if you say they'll never know, it's very unethical and I for one couldn't do that personally. If you don't want to buy, I'm sure you could find somewhere to rent them from.

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  • Brianna
    Dedicated December 2019
    Brianna ·
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    I recently rented tables and chairs for a party and it wasn’t that expensive. I think $1.50/chair? And the tables were $6 each I think. To me, that $ is worth knowing I did it ethically. I would hate to know that someone after me is going to get used stuff when they buy off Amazon because I wanted to save a little.
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  • Chandra
    Master May 2019
    Chandra ·
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    Yeah...that's not really what I would call being frugal. Don't do that. Rental pricing can be more than fair.
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  • MrsD
    Legend July 2019
    MrsD ·
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    I would be surprised if Amazon would okay the return of tables & chairs especially after they are opened.

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  • Meghan
    Master October 2019
    Meghan ·
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    Using and then returning is called renting. As far as I know, Amazon does not have a rental program. So I would look for a rental company in your area and rent tables and chairs from them.

    Save the Dates are sent out (typically) 6-8 months before your wedding date to left your guest know information about your wedding (date, location, wedding website, etc.). This allows guests, specially those that may have to travel, to go ahead and book their hotel rooms, take off of work, or just mark their calendars so they are available to attend your wedding. Save the Dates are not required, so if you don't find them necessary, then you don't have to send them. You are only required to send invitations.

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  • Jessica
    Dedicated April 2020
    Jessica ·
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    I actually did call them and they were cool with it. It would be cheaper...like $0. I buy and then return. I'm not a fan of renting as I'm not sure how to do that and where abouts to do that. I'm being frugal. I want it to be a nice wedding day, but I feel these days weddings are overdone and overpriced. Same thing dresses. I know I'm going to spill something. And the dress it going to be worn once. I will probably just wear once too. I'd rather spend it on a party of love and a getaway.

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  • Jessica
    Dedicated April 2020
    Jessica ·
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    And that's what I was looking at.

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  • Andrea
    Super May 2020
    Andrea ·
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    That’s not being frugal that’s essentially stealing the chairs. Rent them. People that do shady stuff like that drive prices up for the rest of us
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  • LB
    Champion November 2016
    LB ·
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    There is a zero percent chance Amazon said to just use the stuff and return it. No way.
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  • Gen
    Champion June 2019
    Gen ·
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    I mean, don’t be disappointed if they refuse to refund you because the chairs are open/used. That would make it go from $0 to super expensive REAL fast.

    If it was as simple as buying something and returning it, rental companies would go out of business lol. That’s the point of a rental company... the fee is relatively small comparatively to buying it
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  • Andrea
    Super May 2020
    Andrea ·
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    Oh please. Amazon will let you return something yes. But you’re returning it for no other reason that that you used it and you’re done with it. Not because of a problem. That’s not frugal. It’s lying, sketchy and just cheap.
    And you can figure out how to rent chairs. Don’t make pathetic excuses when all it is is you don’t want to spend the money.
    I’m sorry you dont understand economics or morality but bs like that makes it more expensive for everyone else!
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  • Caytlyn
    Legend November 2019
    Caytlyn ·
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    I very highly doubt that. Maybe you asked if you could return tables and chairs after being purchased, or maybe even being opened, but I don't believe for a second that they said "Absolutely! Use them, damage them, get them dirty, then send them right back for a full refund!" This isn't being frugal, it's being a thief.

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  • Amber
    Master February 2020
    Amber ·
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    I agree with Andrea & Caytlyn 100%. It's not difficult to google "chair/table rental company", you'll find options in no time. That's not an excuse to steal. The high prices of the wedding industry is no excuse to steal either. If you can't afford it, simply don't have it. Everyone wishes they could have everything they ever wanted without spending their own money, but that's not how the world works.

    To reiterate: renting is being frugal. Buying, using, and returning for a full refund as "unused" is stealing.

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  • Brianna
    Dedicated December 2019
    Brianna ·
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    I understand that wedding stuff can be overpriced. But why do you think you are entitled to not paying for something that everyone else has to pay something for?
    Also, I can’t imagine that shipping costs for a return will be less expensive than renting chairs.
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  • Cristy
    Master May 2021
    Cristy ·
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    Renting tables and chairs is easy........and cheap. We have rented tables and chairs for my granddaughter's birthday party two years in a row. It was so easy, and really cheap. Like $1.50 per chair and $6 per table. Last year's party we had 55 guests--I have a big back yard, but no furniture out there. So we rented 5 tables and 50 chairs=great party for just over $100.

    Just google "table and chair rentals" in your zip code, and you should get hits on all the rental places in your area. Many of them will deliver and set up for you too! It's easy!

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  • MrsJackson
    Super October 2018
    MrsJackson ·
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    Under the Vendors tab here in WW, there are rental companies.

    I wouldn't try to return them to Amazon expecting a full refund after them being used for a big event such as a wedding.

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  • Christine
    Expert September 2020
    Christine ·
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    If you want to save money, consider having a courthouse wedding and then maybe invite some family members over to your house for dinner afterwards. Don't rent chairs, use them, and then return them for a refund - that is fraud, and unfortunately no one here is going to believe that you called Amazon and their customer service department was fine with it. If you're really strapped for cash and don't want to pay for chair rentals, see if any of the 40 people you're inviting have folding chairs that you can borrow for the day.

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