Dr Oz: Retail Stores Selling Used Underwear & Bathing Suits

Dr Oz: Retail Stores Selling Used Underwear

Dr Oz explained that four years ago, news correspondent Jeff Rossen “turned the lingerie industry upside down” when he revealed that some of the country’s biggest stores were selling used underwear. Jeff went back to those same stores to see if they changed their ways. Jeff had two women shop for underwear at different stores and explained that back in 2010, he found that retail stores were taking returned underwear and putting it back on their shelves.

Back in 2010, the stores said they would re-educate their staffs, so Jeff wanted to know if they truly learned their lesson. Underwear was purchased, and then the tags were ripped off, and two black dots were put on the labels to help them identify which were theirs. They returned their used underwear to one of the country’s largest chains and they ended up in a clear plastic bag with other used underwear.

Dr Oz: Chains Selling Dirty Underwear

At a major upscale department store, a clerk took the underwear to a back room, never to be seen again. Two more chains checked out as well. But then they went to a “well-known lingerie chain” (otherwise known as Victoria’s Secret) and returned two other pairs of underwear. The underwear was tossed behind the clerk and then later found out with other underwear for sale yet again as new.

They then went to another national outlet, where they bought underwear and a swimsuit. The protective liner was removed from the bathing suit as well to make it look used. When they returned them, the sales woman wasted no time re-tagging the items and putting them up for sale, as if they were brand new, although a manager insisted that this never happened.

Dr Oz: Reselling Worn Underwear

At one of the nation’s big box stores (Walmart), they returned the underwear and new tags were stapled onto the items right in front of them. The used underwear was put in a cart meant for returns when another associate realizes they’ve been used. But the very next day they found their underwear on the rack for sale yet again.

The store acknowledged that the results were “absolutely unacceptable” and the well-known lingerie store said that what they found was a clear violation of their policy. A third outlet said they were disappointed that procedures weren’t followed. All three companies once again promised to re-educate their staff.

Dr Oz: Are You Buying Used Underwear?

Jeff Rossen joined Dr Oz and said he was shocked that years later some of the stores were still doing the same things. Jeff said there’s no one policing whether used underwear is put back up for sale. He said the staff is the last line of defense and they “clearly didn’t come through in these cases.”

Dr Oz talked to a woman named Lauren who said she was appalled and couldn’t believe that her favorite intimate apparel store wasn’t doing better. Another woman said she knows where not to go now and will be more aware.

Dr Oz: Used Underwear Warning

Jeff said for the underwear, there really is not way to tell if it’s been worn before because they often re-tag it the same way they tag something brand new. With bathing suits, check and make sure the protective liner is still on the bikini bottoms, because if it’s been ripped off, “that’s a no-no.” He said you should not only not buy it, but also bring it to the attention of the store manager.

Dr Oz said he was concerned because fecal matter or other bacteria can get on the underwear or bathing suits, affecting other people. Jeff said underwear and bathing suits are the most gross items that are being sold after they’re worn, but really you should also be aware of anything that comes into contact with your skin, whether it’s a t-shirt or a hat.

He said you should always wash anything you buy before you wear them. Jeff said he uses hidden cameras because he knows people would act differently otherwise. In this case, all the stores admitted their wrongdoing.

Dr Oz: Avoid Dirty Underwear

Jeff said if you’re super paranoid, buy prepackaged underwear. That way you know it’s sealed and was made in a factory. Jeff said you should immediately wash new underwear once you buy it.