I have found that returns are more difficult than they’ve been in the past.
Athleta recently changed their policy, now you only have 30 days to return. The reason why I would buy more at athleta than lululemon is because of the return policy. 30 days is very short imo. I will probably buy less due to this.
What’s your on line return pet peeve?
Returns that aren’t free. I’ve made that mistake a few times ARGH
30 days doesn’t bother me, but anything less than that would.
Not related to returns…not a fan of ‘final sale’, I would never take that chance unless it’s a retailer/brand that I am sure would fit.
I’m a HUGE Amazon shopper, don’t return a lot, but options have become more limited. I used to be able to return at a ups drop off at a little convenience store in town, now I have to go to staples or kohls (only 2 miles from my home, not much further, but it’s more effort than the little store).
For me if you click on and go further down Amazon’s drop down list for return locations there is still a UPS option (if the UPS option goes away it would be a problem for me).
I think Amazon returns are very simple. I usually do them at a Whole Foods (one is close by) and just use the kiosk (machine don’t even have to talk to a human).
I think this is actually influenced by the reason for return that you choose. Something that’s not your fault, like item not working or not as advertised gets you the more convenient options like UPS and Whole Food drop off.
If you choose something like “changed my mind” then you get the less convenient options like Kohls dropoff. I noticed something along those lines last year when Kohls kept coming up as my only option for one order when I’ve had WF and UPS come up every other time.
We use Amazon almost exclusively and have not experienced different options based on reason for return. Our UPS (human or kiosk dropoff) is next to our grocery store on our corner, close enough to walk. If Amazon ever dropped UPS, that would be a gamechanger for us. I don’t mind short return windows as I usually know the day something arrives whether or not I’m keeping it.
A vendor’s return policy dictates whether or not I’ll gamble with them online.
We love Amazon for simplicity of returns. We buy a lot and return a lot on Amazon. Couple times got burned at small online shops with very small window of returns so try not to use them.
I guess it’s because I’m lazy, there is a ups drop box 1/4 mile away which works for small items, I don’t know why the little news stand by me isn’t an option anymore.
I like it that most (not all) Amazon items can be returned at Kohls. (Bonus - it can result in a $5 Kohls reward… not sure what the criteria is)
I recently tried Lands End “Happy Returns” (new program since August, with new UPS stores being added over time). Website steps for prepping my 2 return items was easy peasy. I opted to do the free returns for free Lands End credit, rather than paying the $6.95 fee for Visa credit. For TBD reasons, I only got a confirmation email on the $14 shorts returned, not the $55 jacket. This “lost” scenario had me fretting til I called Lands End next day. The operator could not trace status on the jacket but believed me. She volunteered to give the $55 back as Visa credit - yay. So though the process was not flawless, I was pleased with the way they handled my complaint.
I had a Wayfair return last week. From what I understand, customers always have to pay return shipping with Wayfair. Because it was an item that had to match something else, I called to get the return shipping fee. They quoted me $25, but it ended up costing me $30. I can’t afford many of these returns. Kudos to Lowes, who let me return an online order to a store and eBay, who told me to keep the item (their mistake).
Shipping charges and lack of free returns(unless to their disappearing stores), deteriorating quality are reasons for me not to shop at Lands End anymore.
I like to be able to feel the fabric on clothing. Not thrilled to have to order something online just to get the feel of the cloth. And then need to return it if it’s itchy, stiff, or whatever.
Right. It was so much easier when I could just do a return of LE at the handy Sears store (now gone).
Yesterday I would have answered this thread differently. I order from Amazon a lot due to the ease of return at Whole Foods. My gym is next door and it’s easy to return there. I ordered 6 items recently and 5 need to go back. Two are WF but the three pair of jeans need to go to the UPS store. It’s not inconvenient but it’s an extra stop. The only thing I can see is the jeans looked like they came from Zappos.
That can be annoying. Is there a way to tell ahead of time which items can be returned to WF (or Kohls)? Our UPS store is only a few miles away, but we are not over on that side of town as much.
I rarely return—maybe 5% of fewer items. Sometimes I have gotten company to waive return postage when customer service misled me about the merchandise and sizing I was purchasing (thanks Columbia)!
Sometimes Amazon tells us to keep broken item and will ship us new set (we got a set of 6 Corelle pasta bowls and one was shattered—the rest were fine). We now have 11 bowls for the price of 6. Thx Amazon!
Most of the time, we can just drop the Amazon return off at nearest UPS (there are UPS locations about 1-2 miles from our home and a Whole Foods slightly further). So far it hasn’t been too onerous.
I like that NRack lets you return at their stores or Nordstrom.
I stopped buying Lands End after Sears closed as no other Oahu store seems to accept returns and I really like to touch the garment to see what quality of fabric is and workmanship. I hate clothes that pill quickly or otherwise just don’t last well.
I refuse to purchase items that have onerous shipping charges to and from HI. It’s just too off-putting. It feels like we are being discriminated against. If I really want it and there’s low or free shipping to other states, sometimes I have it shipped to S and have him mail or bring it to me.
30 days return is more than generous. It is especially the case for seasonal clothing. Most merchants start to discount their stuff after a month or so. My pet peeve is some people think they should have unlimited time to return merchandises, because any losses(not able to sell retuned merchandises) to a merchant is paid by other consumers.
I buy almost everything online. I don’t return that many things, but if I do I usually do it within a week. I will admit that it is very easy for me to do my returns. I just leave it with my building staff and FedEx or UPS would pick it up when they deliver packages.
I don’t like it when shipping and return are not free or if it is a final sale.
You are probably right that 30 days is plenty.
It was the idea that I didn’t have to keep track at athleta and they were sneaky and changed the return policy with no fanfare.
I’m usually good, try on, if it doesn’t work send it right back. I don’t waste time if I’m not going to wear something.
I am trying to find MOB dresses for the wedding in June. It’s down to 2, I’d like to think a little more. And I’m trying to buy a new bathing suit, I’m being very indecisive.
I think I’m going to keep both the dresses. And schedule another tropical vacation 
I think a 30 day return policy is very reasonable. Maybe that’s just me?
I am finding returns easier than ever. Maybe I live in an area with lots of options. Especially with Amazon, because now I can drop stuff off without even needing to pack it.