jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Stores are starting to re-think their "Free Return" policies. They say that online customers return 47% of what they buy. Wow! If I return half a dozen things I buy from Amazon over the course of a year, that's a lot. It costs companies a fortune nation-wide, and people buy items on a whim, knowing they can return them for free. I've actually seen places advising people to buy several similar items and return the ones they don't like. I think that's irresponsible. It will be interesting to see how this works out. Maybe companies could base the cost of returns on a customer's history. If one company makes the move, they'll all follow suit.

I do more canceling with Amazon than returning, usually because something will take too long to arrive. Amazon occasionally asks me if I'm willing to wait. Sometimes Yes and sometimes No.

BebuLamar

That is why I hate online buying. You have to have free returns because you buy stuff without seeing them.

David Martin Loc: Cary, NC

The clothing market is especially tough. Rather than going to an actual store to see, touch and try on items in person, it is becoming more typical to order online, often the same item(s) in more than one size, and to then return whatever one doesn't want.

I recall the old days of Rich's department stores in Atlanta, which at one time had a policy of accepting anything and everything for a refund, even items purchased at rival stores like Davison's! Perhaps if online purchasing becomes less user-friendly and more costly, customers will return to physical stores which nowadays often see only a trickle of buyers.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Yes, I agree about the clothing. I recently bought a Large T-shirt based on the dimensions given by the company. I tried it on, and it's a bit too large, but it's wearable. I ordered a medium, so now I have two.

BebuLamar

I enjoy going to stores and browse stuff much more than browsing on the internet but I can't do that any more. Most stores are gone.
I think Jerry is responsible for the (just kidding).

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

I know some people who order 4 or 5 dresses totry them on, pick one and sent the rest back. To me, that is abuse of the return policy

BebuLamar

Yes it's abusive but then they have to buy something that the best they know about is some low resolution images. It's the problem of the online business.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Those are the people who should have to pay, but it's simpler for a seller to charge everyone the same rate.

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

Yep!

Rich2236 Loc: E. Hampstead, New Hampshire

I'm sorry, I don't agree with most of the people here. And here is my reasoning: When you go to a store, there are many items that you can try on. You have the option of buying just the right piece of clothing...ie: the color you want, the size you want, the style you want. In other words, you get to CHOOSE the item right there AFTER you try on 2,3 or maybe 4 of the items. In essence, when you order on line, you don't have the luxury of seeing, feeling the material, and most of all trying it on, so, when someone orders multiples of an item, they have to try them all on and choose the right one and send the rest back. It is almost the same as being in the store. No one is abusing the return policy. Now, if the store says no more returns will be accepted, that store will soon be out of business.

This is in MHO.

cmc4214 Loc: S.W. Pennsylvania

Me too!

cmc4214 Loc: S.W. Pennsylvania

I agree!

BebuLamar

Now but order 5 and return 4 is costly correct? Many of the return were thrown away. So the problem is with online business. That's why I don't like it.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

I'm with you Jerry as I seldom return anything unless it is damaged, or just different than what I ordered.
However, you have to keep in mind: Online stores do not have brick-and-mortar store rental space, sales folks with wages/benefits, advertising, sales, and so on.
Also, I pay for Amazon Prime and I don't think that Jeff Bezos will miss a meal if I occasionally send something back. No, because the Amazon prices have those exceptions baked into their prices.
I admit that abusive returns are bad.
I spend a lot of $$$ online and seldom drive to any store anymore except for Costco and they now have a wonderful array of "delivered priced" merchandise online will a wonderful return policy.
We still like to go out to restaurants at less crowded hours. However, Covid has really reshaped our spending habits. Do I REALLY want to sit in a crowded movie theatre, or go to a crowded mall?
Even the place where we get our hair cut has a very strict appointment schedule and we rarely have to wait for service.
Best Wishes,
JimmyT Sends

PS: Now I drive a lot less than pre-Covid, saving more $$$.

Toby

I agree. I recently bought a heated vest. It was too big. I returned it indicating I wanted the next size down (Med), they sent me and extra large. I sent it back and went to a different brand. When I buy from Amazon the return policy is one of the first things I look at before ordering. When they stop doing free returns my orders will drop significantly.