Retailers Stop Covering the Cost of Returns
Mailing a box back and paying someone to inspect it got too expensive for stores to cover.
WSJ What's News · Can Meta Turn Muse’s Popularity Into Profits?That sweater you just ordered online may give you only five days to change your mind, and sending it back could cost you more than $10.
That is the new reality of returns in the United States, says reporter Esther Fung. Shoppers who got used to permissive return policies are facing tightened windows, delayed refunds, and return fees. Esther Fung says, "It could be $4.99, $5.99, $7.99, or even more than $10."
The reason starts with the trip back. Many retailers now have shoppers pay to mail items back, at a time when postage has gotten more expensive. Even undamaged items can still leave retailers losing money overall.
Then comes the work after the box arrives. Returns are expensive to ship and expensive to process. Esther Fung says, "Somebody needs to be at the warehouse checking the item to see, hey, can this item be resold? All this takes time and resources."
For a lot of retailers, the answer is they cannot keep covering the cost and have to start adding fees. Many still let you return for free by bringing items to a store. So it helps to check the return details before buying online.
Questions people ask
What should I check before I buy something online?
Look for how many days you have to return it, whether you have to pay for return shipping, and whether dropping it at a store is free. Also check when you will get your money back, since some stores now delay refunds.
Why would a store prefer that I bring a return to the store?
Mailing a package costs money and takes time. An in-store drop-off avoids that postage and gets the item back faster so it can be checked for resale.