If you’re thinking of sending back a disappointing gift you just received over the holidays, the return may bring even more disappointment.
Americans have grown accustomed to free returns, but a growing number of retailers are charging fees as returns squeeze retailers’ bottom lines.
Macy’s, Abercrombie, J. Crew, H&M and other companies have all added shipping fees for mail-in returns.
And it’s not just the big mall brands, either. Eighty-one precent of merchants are now charging a fee for at least some methods of returns, according to Happy Returns, a logistics company that specializes in returns.
Shipping fees for returns isn’t too bad, but if it looks like a retailer isn’t standing behind the products they sell them they shouldn’t be surprised when shoppers shop elsewhere.
The issue is that it’s become too easy to buy a garment in 5 sizes and just return the ones that don’t fit. Many of those returned garments don’t get restocked, but instead end up selling downmarket where they can often end up in landfill. It wastes fuel, the retailer’s money, and harms the environment.
I think there should be some consequence for return. Even just a few dollars. Maybe find a better way to size things accurately so people don’t have to be so cautious.
If clothing manufacturers made clothes anywhere near standard sizes people wouldn’t need to get 5 different sizes to figure out what the hell a Large is supposed to be.
In general I avoid buying clothes online. And I will avoid it much more if returns are difficult.
I mean sure, but everyone’s bodies are different. What drives me nuts is quality control. You can pick up 10 pairs of Levi’s that are 34x30 and each one will be different by probably over an inch. I have resorted to taking several identical pairs to the dressing room and keeping the one that fit the best.
Then everyone’s bodies are different. Some clothes will be cut differently and then fit differently. Basically, clothes shopping if you can’t get a few sizes online (or a few of the same sizes…) sucks.
No. I won’t buy clothing that doesn’t have a no argument return policy. Way too many times in my life the clothing died after only wearing once. You go shop at your store that likes “consequences”. I am going to laugh so hard when I see the handwritten note on the door that ends up on the internet
How often are returns defective vs just didn’t want/didn’t fit? If the item is defective you can’t restock it. If the item isn’t defective that’s where more cost might come in to get the item back in circulation to be sold.
We’re talking about clothes here. I have never been able to find any clothing items that were consistently and accurately sized. Often even across the same brands, sizing is consistently inconsistent. If I can’t return for the proper size once I get an example of a product’s fit and sizing without paying for it, then the convenience of online shopping has evaporated and I might as well just go into a store and try things on. As if they don’t already charge enough of a markup to cover restocking.