Rapporter vs Retourner

Question

When looking around on the internet, it seems like "Retourner" is used here and there, both informal on message boards and formal on shopping sites (for example H&M website: "POUR RETOURNER UN ACHAT EN LIGNE"), for indicating returning an item.

Could you elaborate on this and why you write "Retourner never means to return (something) in the context of a shop for example." ?

Answer

Bonjour Dieter,From the lesson: -"ATTENTION: Retourner never means to return (something) in the context of a shop for example.In French, we use rapporter (to bring back) or échanger [quelque chose] instead:Elle a rapporté cette jupe comme elle était trop petite.She returned this skirt as it was too small."I'm having some difficulty when trying to improve on the lesson as it stands.The internet is useful sometimes but should not be used as a 100% reliable source when put against a credible grammar resource as above in the lesson.Please repost if you remain unclear.Bonne continuationJim

Answer

Thanks for taking the time to answer Jim. My question is more about the usage of the language. Could be that "retourner" is incorrect grammatically in this context but apparently it is used by people and companies (which to me is a sign that it can't be completely wrong to use it). It would be interesting to hear a french speaker input on this

Answer

Hi Dieter,
I have flagged this up as it seems to be correct ´online ´ because you are not physically taking it back to the shop. Very interesting !